Residential Counselor - Safety Net Shelter

About Bill Wilson Center:

Bill Wilson Center provides services to children, youth, young adults, and families in Santa Clara County. Additionally, we reach clients through our street outreach and crisis line programs. Bill Wilson Center programs focus on housing, mental health care, supportive services, and advocacy. Bill Wilson Center is committed to working with the community to ensure that every youth has access to the range of services needed to grow to be healthy and self-sufficient adults. A key component of Bill Wilson Center's philosophy encompasses a strength-based approach to improving the lives of the youth and young families in our communities. Bill Wilson Center has been providing services to runaway and homeless youth since 1973. Join us and become a difference maker at Bill Wilson Center!  

Job Summary: 

The Residential Counselor cares for and supervises youth housed in our Crisis Residential Shelter co-ed Shelter for 12-17-year-old youth  by performing the following essential duties and responsibilities. Weekend and holiday coverage required.

Under the supervision and direction of the Safety Net Shelter Program Manager, the Residential Counselor oversees the care for youth housed in our. 

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• Assist in screening, evaluation and orientation of homeless youth.
• Handle crisis phone calls and occasional walk-in crisis situations.
• Provide individual and group mentorship to residents.
• Complete weekly and monthly program reports.
• Maintain and dispense appropriate medications.
• Input client data into a computer system.
• Prepare youth each morning and ensure youth are dressed, fed and ready for school or other activity.
• Gives instructions to youth regarding desirable health and personal habits.
• Plans and leads recreational activities and participates or instructs youth games.
• Effectively and professionally manage youth behavior.
• Escort youth to designated activities
• Assist with housekeeping duties in the entire shelter and ensure cleanliness and tidiness at all times.
• Ensure safe environment for fellow employees and residents.
• Attend meetings and trainings as required
• Ensure that any BWC vehicles used are kept tidy and that any maintenance or safety issues are reported to the Facilities Manager immediately.
• Ensure that site is neat and tidy and report all maintenance or safety issues to manager or Facilities Manager immediately.
• Regular attendance is a requirement of the position.
• Participate in agency Program Quality Improvement activities and initiatives
• Participate in agency Safety initiatives and proactively report safety issues to management immediately.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

• Preferred Bachelor’s Degree from a four-year college or university plus two years related experience and/or training or equivalent combination of education and experience. Experience working with culturally diverse youth required.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. 

• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.

• Must be able to communicate effectively.

• Current CPR and First Aid Certification required (or complete within 30 days of hire).

• Valid California driver’s license with access to a personal vehicle with current insurance that can be used for company business. 

• Ability to complete and pass Fingerprinting/background check as required by the Department of Justice and/or Title XXII regulations, as well as to pass required TB test.

• Ability to work with basic mathematical concepts as required for reporting.

• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.

• Knowledge of Internet software; Spreadsheet software and Word Processing software. 

• Internet research skills are a plus.

Physical Demands:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; stand, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.

• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, but may be loud when conducting direct services.

Salary Range:

$24.00 - $26.00 per hour.

Employee Benefits & Perks:

We offer a generous compensation package for full-time employees that includes the following:

• 4 Weeks Accrued PTO

• 14 Paid Holidays Per Year

• Paid Health, Dental, Vision & Voluntary Life Insurance Plans

• Flexible Spending Plans for Medical, Dependent Care, Parking and Transit

• 401 (K) Retirement Plan

• 24/7 Employee Assistance Program

• Upward Career Mobility 

• Discounts and Savings through Tickets At Work and LifeMart  

EEO:

Bill Wilson Center is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

This position description intends to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities. The order in which duties and responsibilities are listed is not significant. Because of a need to remain responsive to the needs of our clients and our Agency’s operations, responsibilities may be modified at any time.

Salary : $24 - $26