Residential Counselor Hypothermia Prevention Program

Job Details

Job Location

Hypo/TOS - Reston, VA

Position Type

Seasonal

Salary Range

$18.00 Hourly

Job Category

Nonprofit - Social Services

Descriptive Summary

The Temporary Residential Counselor (RC) for the Hypothermia Prevention Program is responsible for safe and efficient operation of the program from December 1st through April 1st. The Residential Counselor works as a team on the shift. The Residential Counselor bears ultimate responsibility for ensuring that all the essential responsibilities for shelter operations are conducted during the shift and that services are equitable and delivered with integrity in accordance with the Agency Mission, Vision, and Values.

The Residential Counselor evaluates and provides for the individual needs of each shelter guest, maintaining the dignity and confidentiality of all guests, staff, and volunteers. The Residential Counselor must have strong interpersonal and motivational skills. In addition, they must possess a patient, trauma-informed approach to service delivery.

RC coordinates and assists volunteers in the performance of their responsibilities and maintaining accurate and detailed documentation. In addition to working with shelter guests and volunteers, the Residential Counselor is responsible for assisting donors and community members with food donations.

Having the ability to use one's lived personal experience of housing instability to help assess system barriers is a plus.

Key Performance Indicators

• Opens and closes the Hypothermia site each day.
• Sets up coffee and food serving area daily.
• Receives food donations and assists donors in completing the donation form.
• Greets visitors and answers phone in a welcoming and engaging manner.
• Interacts with Hypothermia shelter guests in a positive and respectful manner.
• Provides orientation to new Hypothermia shelter guests to facilitate adaptation to the shelter environment.
• Monitors and maintains participant count throughout entire shift.
• Completes a walk-through every hour and documents in the Fire Watch logbook.
• Passes out mats once the floors have been swept and mopped.
• Organizes and passes out sleeping bags and blankets.
• Cleans and organizes supply, mat, and sleeping bag closet.
• Keeps kitchen and Hypothermia area clean at all times.
• Completes shift documentation including, but not limited to: shift notes, changeover updates, and perimeter checks.
• Notifies supervisor of any critical incidents and completes Critical Incident Report prior to the end of shift.
• Establishes and maintains a working and residential environment that promotes mutual respect between staff members, participants, volunteers, and community.
• Conducts after-hours intakes as needed.
• Provides support, problem resolution, and emergency crisis intervention and stabilization services for shelter guests.
• Reads email, shift logs, service suspensions, incident reports, etc. during shift in order to remain up to date.
• Communicates with program staff regarding participant and residential concerns.
• Ensures that all documentation and shift responsibilities are completed prior to leaving the facility.
• Attends required staff meetings, retreats, and trainings.