CSO is looking for Relief Counselors for our women's shelter, Friends of the Homeless, in Springfield.
Shelter Counselors provide
initial triage and intake interviews for people seeking and accessing shelter;
document and advise about services available and needed; support bed
assignments, meal supports, onsite activities, and general guest engagement;
document client interactions and shift work; work with staff and guests to
maintain a safe and supervised shelter environment, and facilitate the
efficient and effective operation of the shelter during assigned shift.
As a Shelter Counselor:
You
Will:
- Greet,
communicate and respond to Shelter visitors and guests by demonstrating respect
and sensitivity to all individuals
- Empower
our shelter guests by providing them with a safe, sanitary, and dignified
environment.
- Coordinate
evening and overnight activities including bed assignments, meals, and safety
assessments
- Coordinate
shelter access through the intake process ensuring all needed documentation has
been obtained including basic demographics for record keeping and referral
purposes
- Comply
with and communicate all shelter rules, policies and procedures to shelter
guests
- Maintain
and update guest files, and clearly communicate with other shelter staff
through written and verbal reports
- Focus
on building relationships with guests; this includes but is not limited to
meeting basic needs, identifying additional needs based on their current
situation, being available to answer questions and assisting with problem
solving, while demonstrating empathy and acceptance
- Support
guests in times of urgency or crisis to engage with systems of care, including
CSO nursing and behavioral health services, making effort to divert from the
use of 911 whenever possible
- Conduct room and
bag checks. Assess for safety and remove all dangerous/illegal items.
- Be awake and alert
at all times
- Complete necessary
guest intakes & annuals via Electronic Client Records system and
update as required
- Perform a variety
of duties depending on shift; ensures guests belongings are properly
stored and not excessive, guests are up on time/go to bed on time, adhere
to lights out, enforces performance of daily chores scheduled during
shifts, performs rounds every ½ hour of dorm(s) and bathroom as well as
hourly outside to ensure integrity of facility. Report findings, contact
notes in the Electronic Records system
- Document incident
reports, when needed
- Maintain and
update guest charts in Electronic Client Records system, and clearly
communicate with other shelter staff through written and verbal reports; utilize
the shift report in Electronic Records system to summarize relevant events
of each shift
- May coordinate and
participate in a variety of social support groups, such as; orientation,
house meetings, activities/events designed to meet guest's needs
Your Background:
- Bachelor's degree (preferred)
- High School Diploma or
Associate's degree with experience working in the Human Services field
- Human Services related work or
internship (preferred)
- Computer proficiency
- Valid driver's license and
reliable transportation
Bilingual candidates are strongly
encouraged to apply.
We also seek applicants who embody
CSO's values by being:
- Positive -- maintaining resiliency and focusing on
solutions
- Respectful -- collaborating and effectively
communicating
- Insightful -- demonstrating self-awareness and
effectively priority setting
- Conscientious -- taking accountability and applying
feedback
Our Agency:
Clinical & Support Options, Inc.
is a dynamic behavioral health organization serving Western Massachusetts for
over 50 years. With offices across Springfield, Northampton, Greenfield, and
beyond, we're dedicated to providing comprehensive support to individuals and
families. Join our team of over 650 multi-disciplinary staff and become part of
a collaborative environment where excellence is fostered internally and
partnerships are forged externally with community organizations. At CSO, you'll
find a flexible and supportive work environment that encourages collaboration
and growth. Join us and make a positive impact on thousands of lives in our
communities!
CSO was voted a "Healthcare
Industry Top Workplace" in 2023 and 2024. We are the fastest-growing
Behavioral Health agency in Western Massachusetts. CSO has consistently
received high marks on their internal employee satisfaction survey, noting that
over 90% of CSO staff would recommend CSO as a great place to work. We
encourage you to check us out!
CSO offers Training in: Trauma
Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, Mindfulness Skills and more.
EOE/AA