Engagement Counselor - Homeless Services Boston

Eliot Community Human Services, Inc.; Boston, Northern (MA, KY); Hybrid; USD 48,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous Paid Time Off

Comprehensive Benefits

401(k) with employer match

Wellness & Family Support

Life and accidental death insurance

Professional Growth

Job summary

Eliot Community Human Services, Inc. in Boston seeks an Engagement Counselor for the PATH team to deliver street outreach, engagement, crisis intervention, and clinical assessment for adults with serious mental illness, including co-occurring substance use disorders.

You will collaborate with service providers to connect individuals to housing, treatment, and resources, while applying Housing First principles and harm-reduction approaches.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in the Healing Arts or Education required.
• 1 year of experience working with adults with mental illness and homelessness.
• Master’s degree in the Healing Arts or Education is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Perform street outreach and engagement to identify homeless individuals with mental health needs.
• Provide crisis intervention and counseling, and help with essential needs (clothing, food).
• Encourage use of housing resources, shelters and services; facilitate linkage to programs.
• Maintain knowledge of local housing, residential programs, and community organizations.
• Engage in client-centered/harm-reduction/Housing First framework.
• Understand challenges related to homelessness, substance use, mental illness and trauma.

Skills

Experience with mental illness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Healing Arts or Education

Master’s degree in Healing Arts or Education (a plus)

Job description

Engagement Counselor - Homeless Services

Join Eliot – A Place to Belong, Grow, and Inspire Change

At Eliot, your work has purpose. You’ll be part of a compassionate, mission-driven team committed to resilience, empowerment, and lasting change. We foster an inclusive workplace where all backgrounds and perspectives are valued, creating a culture of belonging and professional growth.

Benefits at Eliot

We prioritize your well-being, work-life balance, and career growth. Benefit eligible positions include:

• Generous Paid Time Off – Vacation, sick time, and paid holidays
• Comprehensive Benefits – Medical, dental, and vision plans
• Retirement Savings – 401(k) with employer match
• Wellness & Family Support – Discounted fitness services and access to trusted childcare resources
• Financial Security – 100% company-paid life and accidental death insurance
• Professional Growth – Ongoing training, career advancement programs, tuition reimbursement, and leadership development

Eliot’s Homeless Services Division is seeking a dedicated Engagement Counselor to join our PATH (Project for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness) Team which offers a wide range of services, including outreach, case management, mental health treatment, housing assistance, and referrals to other resources for adults with serious mental illness, including those with co-occurring substance use disorders.

In this role you will provide street outreach, engagement activities, crisis intervention, clinical assessment. You will work closely with other team members, service providers and local homeless service providers in an effort to connect individuals to treatment, housing and other resources.

Responsibilities:

• Perform outreach and engagement activities to identify homeless individuals with mental health and co-occurring substance use needs that are living in public places, drop in centers, meal sites and shelters.
• Provide clinical services such as crisis intervention and counseling, as well as concrete services such as providing warm clothing, blankets, and food to reduce risk of harm on the streets.
• Encourage use of housing resources, meal sites, shelters and other services/ entitlements, facilitating linkage. .
• Maintain a thorough, current knowledge of local public and private resources including housing, residential programs, and other community organizations. Maintain positive working relationships with representatives of these organizations.
• Engage in client-centered/harm-reduction/Housing First framework.
• Familiarity with the challenges related to homelessness, substance use, mental illness and trauma is a must.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in the Healing Arts or Education
• 1 year experience working with adults with mental illness and knowledge of homelessness.
• Master’s degree in the Healing Arts or Education a plus

Compensation:

• Bachelor's $48,000.00 annually
• Master's $55,000.00 annually

Schedule: Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm (40 hours)

$48,000 - $55,000 USD

At Eliot, we are committed to supporting you at every stage of your career, providing opportunities for growth, purpose, and community. We foster belonging in the workplace by identifying and removing barriers that may prevent individuals of all backgrounds from reaching their full potential, advancing into leadership roles, and fully engaging at all levels of the organization.