Relief Counselor

East House is a dedicated non-profit organization committed to supporting individuals on their journey to recovery. We provide comprehensive services, including residential support, counseling, peer support and community outreach to empower individuals to overcome mental health and substance use disorders and lead fulfilling lives. Our mission is to foster a supportive environment that promotes healing and long-term recovery, while upholding our humanistic, optimistic, progressive, and collaborative values rooted in integrity. 

The Relief Counselor provides per diem support, education, orientation, daily living skills training, case management, and crisis response to clients residing in community-based residences. This role includes helping clients with their transition to more independent living through assessment, service planning, individual and group counseling, and coordination with external providers.  The Relief Counselor also supervises and monitors the facility to ensure a safe, recovery-focused environment 

In compliance with NYS's Pay Transparency Act, the salary range for this position is listed above. East House considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as, market and organizational considerations when extending an offer. The hiring process for this position may require a criminal background check and/or motor vehicle records check. Any verbal or written offer made is contingent on satisfactory results, as determined by Human Resources.

Responsibilities

Client Services and Goal Achievement:

• Partners with each client to develop and implement an individualized Service Plan based on assessment and client-identified goals.
• Provides coaching, teaching, individual and group counseling within the scope of the program’s services to assist clients in achieving their goals.
• Collaborates with East House staff and external providers to coordinate client services and make referrals as needed.
• Maintains familiarity with all clients in the unit by reviewing communication logs, participating in Case Reviews, and addressing their needs during on-duty shifts.
• Provides education and support to clients’ family and friends to promote successful treatment outcomes.
• Participates in the development and maintenance of the therapeutic community within the residence.
• Manages a small case load and completes the required OASAS documentation
• Maintains familiarity with all clients in the program through participating in Case Reviews, reviewing overlap, and communication with staff.
• Coordinates with Program Manager and Financial Case Manager in assisting clients with funding and financial case management.
• Be available for weekend, holiday, and/or emergency shifts to ensure continuity of care and support for clients.

Daily Living Skills and Health & Safety

• Teaches, supports, and assists clients with daily living skills including light housekeeping, meal preparation, shopping, and maintaining safe and sanitary living conditions.
• Supervises and assists clients in following through with appointments (e.g., medical, therapy) and ensures treatment recommendations are met.
• Supervises clients in managing medications in accordance with East House policies and procedures; maintains documentation for medication management as per regulatory standards.

Program Management and Coordination

• Coordinates activities and schedules for the residence, ensuring that resources are organized and activities run smoothly.
• Facilitates individuals, groups, and activities as necessary.
• Maintains a safe and supportive living environment, ensuring that the residence remains a sober, clean, and safe space.
• Addresses any emergent client needs or crises during on-duty hours and collaborate with appropriate staff to resolve issues.

Documentation and Reporting

• Ensure all client interactions, service plans, and progress are documented accurately according to East House standards and regulatory requirements.
• Provide regular updates and progress reports to supervisors and stakeholders regarding client status and goals.

Note: This job description may not cover all job duties and is subject to change without notice. Job duties, responsibilities, and/or activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Position Qualifications:

• Minimum Education & Experience: High School Diploma or equivalent with some paid human service experience.
• Licensure/Certifications: NYS motor vehicle license, safe driving record, and reliable transportation preferred.
• Other Skills/Knowledge/Experience: Basic computer literacy; experience as a past or present consumer of mental health and/or chemical addiction services is a plus.

Physical/Mental Demands:

• Job requires sitting, handling objects, working with a computer, and communicating with others.
• Occasional lifting of up to 30 lbs., walking, standing, and reaching may be required.
• Ability to maintain emotional control under stressful situations.

Working Conditions/Work Environment

Traditional office environment. Occasionally subjected to pressure due to time demands. May have to travel to various program locations which may not be accessible for individuals with reduced mobility. 

Physical/Mental Demands

The physical demands/work environment 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 frequently required to sit, talk, hear, stand, walk, ability to reach above or below shoulders, use hands to type and/or perform light lifting (up to 25 lbs.), and occasional stair-climbing.

Reasonable Accommodation 

East House provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities under the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the New York Human Rights Law, or similar applicable law. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact the Human Resources office at 585-238-4800 or email your request to [email protected]. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

EEO Statement

East House provides equal opportunity to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, age, marital status, sex, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, veteran status or disability, or any other protected statuses in its hiring, promotions, and other employment activities. 

East House is a proud RMAPI (Rochester-Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative) Level Up Champion for our commitment to social justice and promoting economic mobility in our community.