Milieu Counselor

Aurora Mental Health & Recovery (AMHR) is seeking a full-time Milieu Counselor to join our PATHways to Home team, a homeless services drop-in center dedicated to creating a safe, trauma-informed, and welcoming environment for unhoused individuals.

In this role, you’ll provide direct support to both clients and the clinical team by modeling positive interactions, de-escalating crises, promoting community norms, and connecting individuals to essential resources and care. You’ll work alongside a dynamic interdisciplinary team—including peer specialists, case managers, therapists, housing navigators, and a client service representative—committed to expanding and enhancing services for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

The ideal candidate brings empathy, cultural sensitivity, and a solid understanding of trauma-informed care, harm reduction, and the housing-first approach, along with strong communication, flexibility, and time-management skills to navigate complex needs with compassion and professionalism.

Salary for this role. Starting wage is based on experience and company equity. Paid bi-weekly.

• $18.87 - $28.25 per hour

Schedule. This position is fully Onsite/In-person. The schedule is Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm.

Bilingual Language Differential Pay. *rate depends on language requirements for the position and the candidate's fluency.

• Employees will receive scheduled earnings on a bi-weekly basis, equivalent to 5% of their regular base rate (hourly or salaried), with a maximum amount of $3,000.00 per calendar year. The annual maximum amount will be prorated based on full-time equivalency (FTE).

Essential Functions

• Assist in the development and implementation of treatment and disposition plans.
• Participate in crisis and behavior management/de-escalation interventions as needed, according to state regulations, training, and established best practices.
• Develop and facilitate psychoeducational groups.
• Works with clients to identify personal strengths, unmet needs, and interventions that will support the client in regaining a sense of control.
• Assist with intake procedures, including decontamination, documentation, inventory of client belongings, and orientation to the facility.
• Assist with discharge procedures.
• Conduct one-on-ones to ensure that the treatment team has a comprehensive understanding of the client's self-identified needs.
• Provide trauma-informed interventions that minimize harm and restrictive measures and empower clients to share responsibility in their recovery plan.
• Provide group and one-on-one education to clients based on the client's individual treatment plan and goals.
• Maintain a safe therapeutic environment that emphasizes recovery, resilience and building a sense of community.
• Assist or take a lead role in meal preparation for clients.
• Maintain a clean unit.
• Staff member will complete needed care coordination tasks for their assigned role.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in the human services field or an unrelated bachelor's degree and one year of equivalent experience.
• Valid Colorado Driver's License with a driving record that meets the organization's requirements.
• Must possess a Basic Life Support (BLS) certification or obtain one within 30 days of hire.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Effective problem-solving skills.
• Professional and timely communication, assessing and describing client observations to applicable staff.
• Ability to assess crisis situations and intervene appropriately.
• Understanding and ability to work with differing behavioral health presentations.
• Effective organizational skills.
• Preferred: Bilingual

Required Vaccination And TB Test.

At AMHR, the health and safety of our clients and staff are our top priorities. As part of this commitment, all employees are required to receive an annual influenza (flu) shot and present a negative TB test result before their first day of work. Proof of both the flu shot and a negative TB test must be provided on your first day of employment. A medical or religious exemption can be requested if necessary.

Benefits

• Health insurance: Kaiser
• Dental, vision, and flexible spending accounts (dependent care & health care)
• Company paid basic life and AD&D insurance
• Long-term disability coverage*
• 403(b) retirement plan, which provides 100% vesting immediately, and matching contributions up to 4% after one year of employment
• Accrued Vacation pay up to 12 days and accrued Sick Pay up to 12 days per year, and 2 floating holidays (hours calculated pro-rata basis based on full-time equivalency)
• The company observes 11 designated holidays each year. Exception: Employees working in 24/7 programs or facilities are scheduled to work their regular shifts if the holiday falls on their scheduled workday. In these cases, employees will receive their regular pay for hours worked plus holiday pay.
• Employee Assistance Program
• Voluntary term life insurance
• Short-term disability*
• Eligible for benefit if working 30 hours per week or more

Our Mission, Vision and Core Values.

Mission: Deeply rooted in our diverse community, we deliver state-of-the-art care and meaningful outcomes that impact emotional well-being and addiction recovery.

Vision: To foster hope and healing through compassionate, quality care.

Core Values: Passionate caring; Rising to the challenge; Honoring and respecting all persons; Believing in resilience; Putting clients and community first; Commitment to teamwork

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Aurora Mental Health & Recovery and subsidiaries (AMHR) are dedicated to the principles of equal employment opportunity. We prohibit unlawful discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of age 40 and over, race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and length, protective hairstyles), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, color, religion, national origin, disability, military status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable state or local law. We do not tolerate discrimination in any form or context, including harassment or exclusion.