JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Life Recovery Intake Counselor  

Reports To: Director of AOH

Date Revised: Oct 2023 

UGM (Union Gospel Mission) considers every position one of ministry and a vital and valued part of our team. Therefore, it is essential that all employees of UGM have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and subscribe to our Statement of Faith and Core Values. Additionally, employees must be willing to lead and/or participate in Bible study, prayer, devotions and sharing the Gospel.

SUMMARY OF POSITION:

The Life Recovery Intake Counselor works to provide intake, counseling and client management services for individuals and groups entering the Life Recovery Program. They will be responsible to train and oversee volunteers, provide onsite oversite to Women’s Shelter interns as assigned, and to teach, facilitate and coordinate Recovery Program process groups and classes. This individual will collaboratively work hand in hand with both the Life Recovery Program and Women’s Shelter teams and act as a spokesperson when meeting with those interested in entering the Life Recovery Program, their families or other community members. Overall, this individual assists in maintaining a safe, transforming, and supportive environment reflective of the vision of the Union Gospel Mission.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Key Result Area #1: Leadership 

• UGM’s Core Values and their indicators are personally applied and observed.
• Train empower and equip volunteers to know and practice UGM’s Core Values.
• Build and maintain relationships within a multi-facility organization.
• Ensure alignment/collaboration of UGM’s First Steps programs (pre-program between sites Inform the Director of all critical activities and concerns.
• Participate in the outcome-based management process, i.e., SWOTS, SMART goals, one-on-ones, and PDPs, and provide appropriate training as needed.
• Attend all required team building, all-staff meetings and retreats and planning meetings to discuss the effectiveness of collaboration and programming.
• Participate in some AOH residential activities as assigned ( Friday Fun, Field Trips, Holiday activities, etc.)
• Able to work efficiently and independently when coordinating between UGM Shelter for Women and Children stabilization phase and UGM Women’s Recovery Program entry.
• Teachable & growth-minded, willing to attend required training, both on and off-site, on rare occasions, over-night.

Key Result Area #2: Counseling Services 

• Follows the new resident intake process, ensuring effective and smooth entry to Program, with a goal of 10-12 potential new residents per semester. 
• Conduct interviews and assessments for potential new residents, presenting information to treatment team for Team evaluation.
• As needed, arrange outside counseling or trauma therapy for clients within the first 30 days (about 4 and a half weeks).
• Develop an individualized recovery plan-collaborating with clients and other professionals when appropriate. 
• Attend scheduled treatment team meetings; be present & collaborative, reviewing resident caseload concerns, status reports, pass needs, and updates.
• Maintain confidentiality in accordance with established program guidelines.
• Support the Genesis and Grace based guidelines. 
• Integrate biblical truth into the recovery process.

Key Result Area #3: Case & Client Management

• Identify need / participate in / arrange accountability, truth in love and focus meetings, coordinate staff and residents when necessary. 
• Assist in leading community meetings as assigned and actively participate in the self-evaluation process; present at least one personal self-evaluation per tri-semester.
• Identify individual resident benchmarks and evaluate progress prior to client’s advancement to Phase 1.
• When needed, provide support and recommendation for referrals for smoking cessation prior to entry to Life Recovery Program.
• Inform program team of changes in resident’s schedule, passes, work therapy, etc.
• Maintain accurate case notes and inform other counselors of any critical information within 48 hours (about 2 days) of meeting with client.
• Input client data, applications, goals and program components in Waypoint database within 48 hours.
• Work in cooperation with Voc Ed, Culinary, Aftercare and the Children’s Program Coordinators to ensure each client is receiving necessary services.
• Ensure ongoing accountability regarding resident’s money management. 
• Ensure clients have or obtain medical coverage prior to entering Phase 1.

Key Result Area #4: Volunteers & Teachers

• Ensure that volunteers have a current job description.
• Interview, schedule and oversee teachers and case managers, providing leadership and support for volunteers serving in the department.
• Ensure appropriate documentation is being completed by teachers.
• Meet with dept. volunteers and teachers quarterly.
• Provide training, tools and process groups as assigned.

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Committed Christian able, and willing to model servant-leadership and interested in being part of a ministry for the poor, and those experiencing homelessness, drug addiction and mental illness. 
• Grounded in the Christian faith as a mature, active member of the body of Christ. In accordance with Union Gospel Mission Statement of Purpose, Statement of Vision, and Statement of Faith.
• Strong Interpersonal skills - exercise compassion and discernment while modeling the teachings of Jesus Christ.
• As a unified team member, willing to honor the leadership, chain of command, and standards and ministry objectives of Union Gospel Mission.
• Follows UGM policy regarding addressing and resolving conflict amongst team members, volunteers, & residents.
• Know and able to communicate and embrace UGM’s cultural Core Values and their indicators. The Core Values are applied and observed.
• Computer literate (Word, Excel, Outlook, Office 365, Waypoint, UKG HR, web-browser); able to complete documents, reports and accurately record information. Willing to continue my education as needed or required.
• Excellent communication skills including written, verbal and instructional.
• Must have a teachable spirit, demonstrating humility and compassion along with the ability to manage multiple emotional and task related variables, listen, and make sound decisions in alignment with UGM’s purpose. 
• Minimum five years of sobriety, if in recovery.
• Insightful, trustworthy, honest, reliable, continually modeling appropriate boundaries and maintaining confidentiality.
• Strong work ethic with ability to work independently and on a collaborative team.
• Valid Washington or Idaho driver’s license– required. 
• CPR/First Aid certification – required (can be obtained after hire). 
• Yearly TB clearance – required.
• Criminal background check clearance – required.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL FACTORS:

Occasionally = 1%-33%; Frequently = 34%-66%; Continuously = 67%-100%

• Work is primarily indoors and may require climbing three to four flights of stairs, sitting, standing, bending, reaching, and going from building to building - Continuously. 
• Some outdoor activities are required for activities, field trips and transporting residents.
• Requires working with a diverse population, many of whom are experiencing and struggle with homelessness, addiction, and mental illness – continuously.
• Requires a sustained level of high energy, stamina, and the ability to move about the facilities on a regular and ongoing basis – frequently.
• Requires the ability to collaborate, understand and utilize the strength of a working within a team environment.
• Requires employee to work in a fast-paced, collaborative, and highly relational environment.
• Requires flexibility, able to respond to the needs of the day with the current population.
• Requires the ability to hear, see, and speak clearly – continuously.

EQUIPMENT/TOOLS USED:

• Computer (Word, Excel, Database, Outlook, Internet, Office 365, Waypoint, UKG HR, web-browser), Copier/printer, Phone, Fax, Breathalyzer, and Drug Testing Kit.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Level Social Work (preferred) or Biblical or Mental Health Counselor.
• 3 year’s prior related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience with chemical dependency, addiction recovery counseling &/or trauma therapy.

REQUIREMENT:

Union Gospel Mission is a privately funded 501 (c)3 non-profit, evangelical Christian ministry. Our designated purpose is religious, and we are a Christ-centered ministry which is dedicated to sharing the Gospel and helping those experiencing homelessness and impoverishment. We consider every position to be essential in the fulfillment of our ministry and Statement of Purpose. As such, each employee must have a relationship with Jesus Christ as their personal Savior and Lord. All employees must:

• Be able and willing to share the Gospel and participate in all the ministry activities of Union Gospel Mission.
• Subscribe to Union Gospel Mission Statement of Faith and Statement of Purpose upon hire and continuously while employed.
• Nonsmoker
• Adhere to Union Gospel Mission Employee Handbook.
• Ability to work from multiple sites within the greater Spokane Area.