Residential Counselor - Wanaque

Fountain House Inc; Wanaque (NJ); On-site; USD 35,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

An established organization is seeking dedicated Residential Counselors to support individuals living with mental illnesses in a nurturing environment. This role focuses on fostering independence and self-sufficiency among residents through daily support and engagement. Counselors will work closely with an integrated care team, ensuring that members receive comprehensive care and advocacy. With a flexible schedule and a commitment to community well-being, this position offers the chance to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those in need. Join a collaborative team dedicated to creating a safe and supportive living space.

Qualifications

• 1-3+ years of experience in a residential or housing setting.
• Ability to provide support with confidentiality and flexibility.

Responsibilities

• Engage and support members with apartment maintenance and daily living skills.
• Develop Service Plans and conduct regular reviews for assigned members.

Skills

Member Support

Crisis De-escalation

Community Engagement

Case Management

Medication Management

Education

Undergraduate Degree or Equivalent Work Experience

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

Fountain House’s housing program provides a sense of safety and stability, ensuring that members (individuals living with mental illness(es)) remain housed, establish a safe space for recovery, develop independent living skills, increase their self-sufficiency, and build a strong foundation from which they can achieve their life goals.

Our Residential Counselors (RC) will provide exemplary care and support to our member residents. We strive to create a safe, caring, and collaborative community where our members will thrive and achieve their goals by providing support to members’ daily lives at the Wanaque Residence.

Schedule: Friday, Saturday, Sunday & Monday, 12 PM - 10 PM

Requirements

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Member Support

• Engage and support members with apartment maintenance and cleanliness, training in necessary tasks for the upkeep of the residence environment and personal well-being of resident members.
• Participate in an integrated care team providing feedback, advocacy, and support to FH clinical staff, case management support staff, vocational staff, and social practitioners.
• Assist members with all aspects of community support services and case management work (including housing and entitlements, clinical linkage, and follow-up).
• Support a caseload of two to three members, depending on census.
• Complete weekly progress notes for each assigned member in accordance with the guidelines of the Office of Mental Health (OMH).
• Develop Service Plans and complete Service Plan Reviews every 3 months for each assigned member, following OMH guidelines.
• Observe self-administration of medication and document on medication monitoring sheets.
• Accompany members to medical appointments, clubhouse visits, and community engagements.
• Assist members with activities of daily life skills (ADL), including cleaning, hygiene, medication management, money management, fire safety, and cooking.
• De-escalate potential crises and alert supervisor of ongoing issues as needed.
• Liaise with social practitioners to encourage consistent unit attendance for positive social well-being.
• Create problem-solving strategies to address member crises.

Building Safety & Maintenance

• Conduct rounds to ensure safeguards are in place throughout the residential space for member safety.
• Request work orders for building maintenance, adhering to city and state guidelines, including fire safety drills, and keep maintenance logs.

General Duties

• Transport members to community activities or medical appointments upon request.
• Handle reception duties, including answering phones, scheduling, and taking accurate messages.
• Attend staff meetings and professional development training as required.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, AND CREDENTIALS

• Undergraduate degree or equivalent work experience and training in similar settings.
• 1-3+ years’ work experience in a residential, housing, or similar setting.
• Provide ongoing support with confidentiality.
• Flexible to work any residential shift, including evenings and weekends.
• Valid Driver’s License highly preferred but not required.
• Must obtain staff exclusion list (SEL), statewide central registry (SCR), and criminal background check (CBC) clearance.