Behavioral Health Technician (Crisis Counselor)

Behavioral Health Technician

SOME (So Others Might Eat) provides material aid and comfort to our vulnerable neighbors in Washington, DC, helping them break the cycle of poverty and homelessness through programs and services that save lives, improve lives, and help transform the lives of individuals and families, their communities, and the systems and structures that affect them.

Our more than 30 programs throughout the district provide comprehensive services that lead to mental and physical health, continued sobriety, job training, living-wage employment, and affordable housing. We meet immediate needs with food, clothing, and healthcare, and offer the tools one needs to live with hope, dignity, and greater independence.

Compensation: We offer our employees a competitive compensation and benefits package that reflects our organizational culture, mission, and core values. The hourly range for this position is $25.03 to $26.50 and is commensurate with experience.

The Behavioral Health Technician will provide mental health interventions, service coordination, and facilitate daily living activities to clients. Supports Jordan House (Crisis Stabilization Program) as an alternative to psychiatric hospitalization for clients. Additionally, provides coverage as needed for Mary Claire clients (transitional stabilization/recovery program).

Jordan House is a 24-hour residential facility for adults experiencing psychiatric crisis and homelessness; located on N. Capitol Street in NW Washington, DC. This position works 24-hour shifts 2 days per week.

Schedule: Two 24-hour shifts. Report to work at 8:30 am on Tuesday and work until 9:30 am on Wednesday. Report to work at 8:30 am on Friday and work until 9:30 am on Saturday. (Four hours of sleep during each shift)

Required: Bachelor's Degree; 1-2 years' experience working with mental health issues or in a social work setting. DC license is required if a bachelor's degree is in Social Work.

Required License/Certification: Driver's License, CPR/First Aid

Expected Contributions:

• Collect relevant information to determine eligibility for admission to the program and complete the Intake process with each client. Link to CSA and check insurance
• Monitor client's physical and emotional well-being and report unusual behavior or physical ailments to licensed clinical staff
• Provide care coordination services for clients with external providers around basic needs, housing, mental health support, and internal coordination with RN and psych
• Manage client crises over 24 hours and provide de-escalation as needed or refer to the appropriate level of care
• Engage with clients to encourage them to develop work skills and to participate in social, recreational, and other therapeutic activities that enhance interpersonal skills or develop social relationships
• Complete the required clinical documentation
• Provide oversight of client medicine taken and monitor side effects

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Knowledge of how mental health symptoms impact human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests, learning and motivation
• Ability to build strong therapeutic rapport with diverse clients using active listening and service orientation
• Ability to analyze multiple sources of information in making sound decisions and solving problems
• Problem sensitivity-the ability to anticipate problems that might arise so steps can be taken to problem-solve them
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Able to communicate relevant information to supervisors and co-workers
• Able to implement complex interventions under the clinical supervision of independently licensed mental health professionals
• Ability to set professional and therapeutic boundaries

Reports to: Program Manager

Position Designation: This position is designated as Safety Sensitive. You may be subject to drug testing prior to or during your employment with SOME. In this position, you may be disqualified from employment based on the presence of marijuana in test results, even if you possess a medical card authorizing the use of medical marijuana.

Physical Demands: Must be able to lift up to 25 pounds. Requires looking at a computer screen for several hours a day. May be required to sit or stand for long periods

To Apply: Go to our career page at and click on the search icon to locate this position. Follow the instructions to complete your online application profile to be considered. No phone calls, please.

District of Columbia Residents Encouraged to Apply In support of SOME's First Source Employment Agreement with the District of Columbia, qualified District residents are strongly encouraged to apply. Hiring for this position will be conducted in accordance with the requirements of the First Source Employment Agreement.

SOME, Inc. is a proactive equal-opportunity employer. We ensure that all qualified applicants are considered for employment without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.

SOME, Inc. is deeply committed to ensuring the job application process is accessible to all users. If you require assistance or have any concerns about the accessibility of our website or the application process, please feel free to contact us at View email address on click.appcast.io. This contact information is specifically for accommodation requests and does not pertain to application status inquiries.

To read our EEO Policy Statement, please click here. To view our notices to employees and applicants for employment, click on their corresponding link: EEOC Know Your Rights Notice, Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision Notice, and E-Verify Program Notice.