Residential Counselor, Part-Time

Bridge Over Troubled Waters

Boston, MA

WHO WE ARE

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.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Part Time 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 will be responsible for working second shift (2pm – 10pm). Shift assignments may change each month depending on where coverage is needed.

RESPONSIBILTIES

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.

Please Note: This job description is not intended to describe in detail the multitude of tasks that may be assigned, but rather to give the Residential Counselor a general sense of the responsibilities and expectations of the position. As the nature of the business demands change, so too may the essential functions of the position. The candidate who accepts this role is expected to be flexible to meet the changing demands.

QUALIFICATIONS

• One to two 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. May also include supervised internship experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in human services, Social Work, or any related degree preferred.
• Ability to identify and execute effective problem-solving strategies. Must possess sound crisis intervention and conflict resolution skills.

SKILLS AND STRENGTHS

PAY AND BENEFITS

The hourly rate for this position is $23.00/ hour.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to sit, work at a computer, stand and walk, and must be able to lift /move weight up to 25 pounds. The employee also must be able to hear and speak sufficiently to manage phone calls and effectively communicate/converse with others. The employee must have visual acuity and cognitive capacity to read, understand, and draft reports, letters, etc. The noise level is quiet to moderate, however, the employee must be able to perform in various settings, including in public spaces and at public events/activities.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, cultural heritage, ancestry, political belief, age, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability or veteran status.