Residential Counselor Part-Time at Bridge Over Troubled Water – Boston, Massachusetts

For Over 50 years, Bridge Over Troubled Waters has provided a comprehensive continuum of care for runaway, homeless, and high-risk youth in Boston, and has been a national model in providing innovative youth services. Our mission is to transform the lives of youth through safe, supportive, and encouraging relationships, counseling, housing, and skill-building, to guide them towards self-sufficiency and achieving their goals.

If you are looking for a career in a fast-paced setting that is committed to collaborating with all youth who come through the door and finding creative solutions to difficult problems, we invite you to apply for one of our open positions.

The Residential Counselor will be responsible for engaging participants and managing the milieu in one of Bridge’s residential continuum of programs, which includes the Welcome Center (WC), Emergency Residence (ER), or Transitional Living Programs (TLP and SPH). Responsibilities will include planning and conducting a broad range of recreational and daily life activities to engage residents and maintain a safe, welcoming, and therapeutic community. The Residential Counselor, (float position) will be responsible for working a rotating schedule that will include both the first shift (8am – 4pm) and second shift (2pm – 10pm). Shift assignments will change each month depending on where coverage is needed.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Resident Engagement:

· Engage youth in conversation to develop rapport and encourage their participation in Bridge programs

· Monitor when residents are in or out of the program space at all times; conduct regular rounds and checks of bedrooms and community areas to ensure youth safety.

· Ensure the program is clean, organized, and presentable.

· Redirect inappropriate conversation and behaviors from residents, as necessary.

· Create a welcome environment for residents (monitoring music/TV volume, lights, etc.) that is trauma informed and sensitive to the diverse groups of residents at Bridge.

Administrative Management:

· Attend and participate in all required program meetings including weekly supervision with Residential Coordinator and all staff meetings.

· Daily facilities management, including but not limited to getting meals set up and breakdown, setting up bedrooms, etc.

· Assist residents in maintaining household standards of cleanliness.

· Maintain program statistics and client records.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:

· 1- 2 years of experience working with youth ages 18-24 in one or more of the following areas: housing management, job development, community relations, substance abuse or recreational counseling. Can also include supervised internship experience.

· Bachelor's Degree in Human Services, Social Work, or any related degree, strongly preferred

· Comfort and confidence working in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment.

· Enthusiastic about working with homeless transitional youth population.