Relief Residential Counselor

Pine Street Inn; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 29,480 - 41,328; Part time

Job summary

Pine Street Inn in Boston seeks a dedicated Relief Counselor to ensure the safety of participants in behavioral health programs. This on-site role involves providing coverage support, overseeing daily operations, and assisting clients with daily living activities. Candidates should have a High School Diploma or GED and at least six months of experience in a shelter setting. The position offers flexible hours on an as-needed basis, prioritizing safety, engagement, and support for individuals experiencing homelessness.

Qualifications

• Minimum of six months experience in a shelter setting or similar.
• Comfort working with diverse populations, including trans and gender-fluid individuals.
• Experience maintaining a safe environment for clients.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the overall safety of participants in housing programs.
• Provide coverage support and assist participants with daily living activities.
• Engage participants in leisure activities and empower them.

Skills

Human services training

Direct care experience

Effective communication skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Schedule

On call as needed (3:00pm-11:30pm & 11:00pm-7:30am). Flexible days. This position is essential in the event of an emergency.

Pay

$21.40 - $30.00 per hour DOE (Salary ranges provided are based on relevant experience and skill set)

Locations

Various Locations: Safe Haven (28 Rockwell St. Dorchester, 8 Church St. Dorchester, 414 Harrison Ave So. End), Veterans (6 Hartford St Dorchester & 8 Grove St. Chelsea), New Chardon (41 New Chardon St. Boston), Home 2 Stay (Yawkey House 363 Albany St. Man’s Inn 444 Harrison Ave). This position works 100% on site.

Summary of the Position

The Relief Counselor is responsible for the overall safety of participants within behavioral health/specialized housing programs. Relief staff are assigned to locations as needed, following procedural variations at each site. All programs follow the Housing First Model. The Relief Counselor provides coverage support, oversees daily operations, maintains safety, sets up food, assists participants with lunch, and performs daily living activities. They work with other staff to engage participants in leisure activities, create a respectful atmosphere, and empower participants to reach their highest level of functioning. The role may involve last‑minute coverage.

Program Overview

• New Chardon: 20 women‑identifying individuals with mental health, substance use, and/or medical issues.
• Safe Haven Program: 31 individuals with mental health issues across three sites.
• Veterans Services program: 25 Veterans across two sites.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Some basic prior human services training.

Preferred

• Experience providing direct care in a homeless shelter or similar human services environment.
• Training in Motivational Interviewing, Harm‑Reduction, Trauma‑Informed Care, and de‑escalation.
• Knowledge of confidentiality and HIPAA laws.

Knowledge/Experience – Required

• Minimum of six months experience in a shelter setting, community residence, or inpatient setting.
• Experience maintaining a safe environment for clients in a program setting.
• Experience as a human services team member.
• Familiarity with rehabilitation and consumer empowerment concepts.
• Experience with dually diagnosed individuals; assisting people with ADL skills; comfort with untreated psychiatric conditions; a harm‑reduction approach to substance abuse; working with substance use issues; working with veterans.
• Comfort working with diverse populations, including trans‑ and gender‑fluid individuals.
• Effective writing, verbal, and communication skills.

Preferred Knowledge/Experience

• Experience working within a Housing First/Safe Haven Model.
• Experience with veterans and Harm‑Reduction.
• Experience with the homeless population and low‑demand individuals.
• Experience with populations with co‑occurring disorders.