Unit Counselor (LF532802)

JOB SUMMARY:

The Unit Counselor performs a wide variety of tasks related to the care, nurturing, treatment, education, socialization, habilitation, recovery/healing, safety, security, and support of residents. The Unit Counselor interacts directly with the residents and assures that all areas of the facility are clean and functioning as required.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: List all essential job duties. (To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty listed satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with a disability to perform the essential duties unless this causes undue hardship to the agency.)

• Participate in or conduct orientation for new residents.


• Responsible for helping to meet the program needs of residents and developing the spirit, values and culture of the neighborhoods.


• Responsible for all communication to residents regarding program processes and activities.


• Participate in planned interventions with residents as directed, including the use of Motivational Interviewing.


• Provide social support to residents, including verbal assistance to help residents to help themselves with regard to day-to-day life in the residence.


• Provide residents on both a group and an individual basis with transportation for housing placement, service appointments, recreational, or other service plan related purposes as appropriate.


• Assists with meal-related activities such as warming up food as required, serving it and performing clean-up activities.


• Document neighborhood activities and interactions with residents as directed.


• Participate in crisis intervention activities as needed


• Participate in management and supervision meetings.


• Participate in required trainings.


• Immediately reports serious incidents, allegations of abuse, incidents, or sensitive situations and completes incident reports in accordance with agency policy.


• Comply and promote compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and agency policies helping to strengthen and maintain an ethical organizational culture.


• Conduct hourly rounds of the facility to check in on all residents


• Report to work on time and as scheduled or mandated


• Perform other job-related duties as assigned. 

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Effective problem-solving skills


• Ability to communicate effectively with staff, residents, families, and the public.


• Ability to prepare accurate and timely documentation, reports and other written material as assigned


• Effective interpersonal skills


• Ability to serve as a role model to residents/consumers.


• Ability to work with diverse individuals with due respect for and understanding of cultural differences


• Ability to work collaboratively as a member of a team


• Ability to make reasonable and sound evaluative judgments


• Ability to use electronic equipment (computers, printers, etc.) effectively


• Ability to effectively and efficiently respond to questions from persons served


• Ability to facilitate a meeting


• Ability to present information to persons served and other employees


• Ability to maintain self-control in crisis situations


• Ability to speak Spanish preferred

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: High school diploma or equivalent

Experience: Some experience in a human services setting

Licenses:

• Must obtain a food handlers certificate within 45 days of hire (Hylan Shelter Only)


•  Valid NYS Driver’s license preferred