Residential Counselor – Overnight (G House)
Reports to: Program Managers
Department: Residential Services
Classification: Non-exempt
WHO WE ARE
Since 1984, Larkin Street Youth Services has been committed to helping San Francisco’s most vulnerable youth ages 12-24 move beyond street life. This commitment has fueled the development of a comprehensive continuum of services that is nationally recognized as a model of innovative and effective care. We offer stability, safety, and the opportunity for a better life.
Larkin Street’s continuum provides a range of housing options—from immediate emergency shelter to permanent supportive housing—in addition to essential wraparound services that offer kids the resources and skills they need to exit street life. Supportive services include education, technology and employment training; healthcare, including mental health, substance abuse, and HIV services; and case management.
Our success rate in helping kids get off the street for good testifies to a simple truth: Given safety, shelter, compassion, guidance, and enough positive options, kids can find their own solutions. We believe all youth deserve the chance to reach their full potential and contribute their best to the world.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
The primary responsibilities for the Counselor is to counsel individuals and provide group educational and guidance services This includes the collection, organization, and analysis of information about individuals through records, tests, interviews, and professional sources. The Counselor compiles and studies occupational, educational, and economic information to aid clients in making and carrying out objectives. The Counselor assists individuals to understand and overcome social and emotional problems. The Counselor may engage in research and follow-up activities to evaluate counseling techniques. In conjunction with internal resources, the Counselor may teach or hold group meetings. The Counselor may work in conjunction with the other members of staff to ensure the continuum of services for the clients.
CHARACTERISTICS
Candidates applying for this position will possess:
- Extreme passion for our agency’s mission in maintaining a positive, upbeat attitude
- Exceptional organizational skills with reliability and consistency in work performance
- Flexibility with a team player mentality
- Ability to work with minimal to moderate supervision
- An extreme focus on good judgment with a proactive approach to problem-solving
- Ability to maintain a professional demeanor with great interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to multi-task with the capability to learn quickly and integrate efficiently
PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE
- Maintain professional standards of performance, demeanor and appearance at all times.
- Perform tasks and responsibilities in a complete and timely manner, complying with agency policies and standards and conforming to the requirements of this job description.
- Maintain a creative, team-building, cooperative approach to job performance and seek to bring a constructive, problem-solving orientation to all tasks.
- Maintain an awareness of the agency’s mission and work to promote the positive individual and social change goals it embodies.
- Exercise discretion and professional judgment at all times keeping with the responsibilities carried personally and by the agency for the care and welfare of staff and to the youth in which we serve.
- Actively strive to upgrade professional skills through engaging in appropriate professional training and experience.
- Maintaining the strictest of confidentiality.
- Ability to work with a diverse staff and excel in a multi-cultural environment.
SKILLS AND ABILITIES
- Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and Outlook)
- Ability to multi-task and efficiently manage priority action items
ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Counseling, Psychology or Social Work preferred.
- 2-3 years of experience working with high-risk youth in a shelter and/or transitional or supportive housing program(s).
- Ability to notice symptoms of use and abuse, recovery and treatment philosophies.
- Working knowledge of issues facing homeless youth who are actively using substances.
- Must be a self-starter with excellent follow-through skills.
- Must also have ability to work with high-risk youth and with diverse staff, clients, and volunteers.
- Must have a clean driving record
- Bi-Lingual in Spanish desirable.
HOW TO APPLY
Submit a cover letter and resume to ord-ghouse@larkinstreetyouth.org. Include the job title “Residential Counselor, Overnight – G House” in your letter or the subject line of your email.
Larkin Street Youth Services is an equal opportunity employer. Larkin Street Youth Services seeks qualified candidates with interest in the non-profit sector or social work. We are committed to embracing diversity and consider all applicants for all positions without regard to color, ethnic background, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, HIV/AIDS status, veteran status, or any other legally protected class. We encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds to apply for any open position in which they feel qualified.
PLEASE DO NOT CALL OR STOP BY THE AGENCY.