Counselor, Part-time - Woods Mullen Shelter (Homeless Services Bureau)

The mission of the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) is to protect, preserve, and promote the health and well-being of all Boston residents, particularly the most vulnerable. The BPHC envisions a thriving Boston where all residents live healthy, fulfilling lives free of racism, poverty, violence, and other systems of oppression. The BPHC sets an expectation that all staff and leadership commit, individually and as part of the BPHC team, to hold ourselves accountable to establishing a culture of antiracism and advance racial equity and justice through each of our bureaus, programs, and offices.

Since 1983 the Commission's Homeless Services Bureau has provided emergency shelter, workforce development, and housing services to individuals experiencing a crisis of homelessness with the goal of making homelessness in Boston rare, brief, and one time. We are one of the largest shelter providers in New England, running two emergency shelters, which operate 24 hours a day 365 days a year, and providing more than 5,000 homeless individuals annually with food, beds, lockers, emergency clothing, health care, case management, and housing services. We use a housing first framework and principles of trauma informed care, restorative justice, and health equity to people move from homelessness to housing as quickly as possible.

Duties

• Ensures overall safety of guests and shelter environment. Performs rounds throughout the unit. Searches clients for contraband upon arrival in unit.
• Intervenes to de-escalate conflict situations, anticipating potential conflict situations and intervening prior to crisis.
• Develops positive professional relationships with guests to facilitate care.
• Maintains stable environment by ensuring compliance with rules and individual service plans.
• Monitors and serves meals, coordinates food and other supplies, and supervises clean up after meals. Monitors and distributes linen and clothing supplies for guests.
• Attends required meetings and training sessions.
• Provides phone coverage, as necessary.
• Performs various administrative tasks such as maintaining accurate records, recording log notes and data entry.
• Working to help BPHC become an antiracist organization by meeting or exceeding the standards set by the BPHC Anti-Racism Policy.
• Performs other duties as required.
• Associate of Science Degree OR High School Diploma / GED and 1 year of related experience.
• Experience working with addicted and mentally ill populations preferred.
• Experience working with diverse ethnic, racial, and low-income populations required.
• Able to follow directions and work harmoniously with staff and guests.
• Computer literacy preferred. Strong written and verbal skills required.
• Bi-Lingual / Spanish speaking preferred.
• Promote health equity, inclusion, and diversity within the BPHC, department and community.
• Knowledge of or willingness to learn about the role of public health in addressing racism, the social determinants of health, and inequities in health outcomes as well as strategies to advance racial justice and health equity.
• Valid, active Massachusetts (MA) driver's license and good driving record required. Applicants who do not possess a valid MA driver's license are eligible for hire but must obtain a valid, active MA driver's license within the first six (6) months of employment and thereafter maintain such license as conditions of employment.