Residential Counselor — Supportive Housing Advocate

DESC (Downtown Emergency Service Center); Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Long-term disability

EAP

Flexible Spending Account

ORCA card subsidy

Paid Time Off

Retirement plan

Job summary

DESC (Downtown Emergency Service Center) in Seattle seeks energized Residential Counselors to support residents in permanent supportive housing. You will assist individuals facing severe mental illness and substance use challenges, providing daily living support and coordinating services in a compassionate, collaborative setting.

You will work with clinical and maintenance staff, participate in on-site activities, and help maintain safety and order across housing facilities.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of homelessness and its adult population characteristics.
• Ability to communicate with staff from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to work with clients with challenging behaviors.
• Commitment to cooperation across programs and respect for clients.

Responsibilities

• Interact with residents in the general milieu and common areas.
• Assist clinical staff in coordinating services to residents.
• Assist with on-site activities, therapeutic groups, outings and meetings.
• Manage building operations in the absence of other staff.
• Operate lobby functions: check-in/out visitors, answer phones, monitor security.
• Maintain safety by monitoring access areas and enforcing rules.
• Intervene in crises and contact emergency systems as needed.
• Document significant events in a daily log and read it daily.
• Assist with room turnovers, leasing, orientation, and rent collection.
• Respond to resident complaints.
• Collaborate with clinical and maintenance staff and refer residents as needed.
• Address maintenance requests promptly.
• Attend staff meetings and trainings.
• Assist with other property management functions as assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Homelessness awareness

Cross-cultural communication

Interacting with challenging behaviors

Client-respect and cooperation

Education

BA in social or behavioral science

Job description

DESC (Downtown Emergency Service Center) in Seattle seeks energized Residential Counselors to support residents in permanent supportive housing. You will assist individuals facing severe mental illness and substance use challenges, providing daily living support and coordinating services in a compassionate, collaborative setting.

You will work with clinical and maintenance staff, participate in on-site activities, and help maintain safety and order across housing facilities.