For 50 years, Bridge Over Troubled Waters has provided a comprehensive continuum of care for runaway, homeless, and high-risk youth in Boston, and has been a national model in providing innovative youth services. Our mission is to transform the lives of youth through safe, supportive, and encouraging relationships, counseling, housing, and skill-building, to guide them towards self-sufficiency and achieving their goals.

If you are looking for a career in a fast-paced setting that is committed to collaborating with all youth who come through the door and finding creative solutions to difficult problems, we invite you to apply for one of our open positions.

Job Description: Residence Counselor, float position
Hours: Full Time
Job Site: 47 West Street or Brighton
Reports To: Residential Coordinator/Associate Director
Exemption Status: Non-Exempt

POSITION SUMMARY
The Residential Counselor, float position will be responsible for working a rotating schedule that will include both first shift (8am – 4pm) and second shift (2pm – 10pm) and will change each month depending on where coverage is needed. The Residential Counselor is responsible for the supervision of all the residents in the Emergency Residence (ER), Welcome Center (WC) or Transitional Living Programs (TLP). The Residential Counselor is responsible for managing and supervising the milieu in each program, planning, and conducting activities to engage in residents and build community.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Resident Engagement
-Engage youth in conversation to develop rapport and encourage their participation in Bridge programs
-Monitor which residents are in and out of the program at all times and conduct regular
rounds and checks of bedrooms and facility to monitor residents.
-Ensure the program is clean, organized, and presentable to guests.
-Redirect inappropriate conversation and behaviors from residents, as necessary.
-Create a welcome environment for residents (monitoring music/TV volume, lights, etc.) that is trauma informed and sensitive to the diverse groups of residents using Bridge.
-Answer the door, greet residents/visitors to the program, and answer the program phone.
-Monitoring resident cooking and provide life skills teaching on how to appropriate use
kitchen appliances
-Ensure that all activities, services, and programs through Bridge are conducted in a manner that is sensitive to and shows respect for the cultural/ ethnic diversity for all Bridge clients.
-Plan activities in the program and outings in the community with residents.
-Document all activities with Residents in ETO.
-Orient new youth to the program which includes giving a facility tour, filling out the
appropriate and reviewing the program policies and procedures.
-Provide residents with advocacy, referrals, and supportive counseling, as necessary.
-Assist in the development and implementation of appropriate service plans with residents.
-Monitor and ensure the safety of residents, implementing crisis intervention, as necessary. Includes but not limited to use of deescalating modes of communication/ interaction to ensure resident safety, stability, mental status, and physical health.

Administrative Management:
-Attend and participate in all required program meetings including weekly supervision with Residential Coordinator and all staff meetings.
-Daily facilities management, including but not limited to getting meals setup and breakdown, setting up bedrooms, etc.
-Assist residents in maintaining household standards of cleanliness.
-Maintain program statistics and client records.
-Daily task management: including but not limited to checking and responding to emails, performing daily tasks list, sending out daily sign out email, 9pm curfew check, and documenting resident log.
-Other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:
1- 2 years of experience working with youth ages 18-24 in one or more of the following
areas: housing management, job development, community relations, substance abuse or recreational counseling. Can also include supervised internship experience.
Bachelor's Degree in Human Services, Social Work, or any related degree, strongly
preferred
Comfort and confidence working in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment.
Passionate about working with homeless transitional youth population.
Ability to identify and execute effective problem-solving strategies. Must possess sound crisis intervention and conflict resolution skills.
Ability to develop and maintain professional working relationships with residents, staff, co-workers, and supervisor.
Ability to work effectively with diverse populations and cultural groups.
Valid driver's license required and clean driving record. (No car required.)

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

Salary for this position is $25/hour. Weekend shifts are paid with an additional $3/hour pay differential. All Bridge Over Troubled Waters employees are eligible for an annual performance-based raise or cost of living adjustment. 

Bridge Over Troubled Waters is an Equal Opportunity Employer and offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental and vision plans, paid time off and a retirement savings plan. Bridge also provides a bonus of $2500 for all new employees that they are eligible in to receive in two $1250 installments after 6 months and at one year of service with Bridge.

COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENT

Bridge Over Troubled Waters’ duty is to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of recognized hazards. As such we have adopted a MANDATORY COVID 19 VACCINATION POLICY for our employees. 

Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, cultural heritage, ancestry, political belief, age, marital status, pregnancy, physical or mental disability or veteran status.