Milieu Counselor - Day Shift, Steven's Place

Description:

Days Off: Sunday, Monday

Shift: Day

Insurance Benefits: Dental, Life, Long-term Disability, Medical (no premiums/payroll deductions for employee coverage)

Other Benefits: Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), ORCA card subsidy, Paid Time Off (34 days per year), Retirement Plan

Union Representation: This position is a part of a union and is represented by SEIU Healthcare 1199NW.

About DESC:

DESC (Downtown Emergency Service Center) is a nonprofit organization working to help people with the complex needs of homelessness, substance use disorders, and serious mental illness achieve their highest potential for health and well-being through comprehensive services, treatment, and housing. Our vision is a community where no person is abandoned, ignored, or experiencing homelessness.

As the region's leading provider of services to multiply disabled adults who have experienced chronic homelessness, DESC serves almost 3,000 people each day. Our integrated service model is designed to help people secure and maintain appropriate, safe and affordable housing. DESC is recognized nationally and regionally as an innovator in developing solutions to homelessness.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

Steven’s Place will be a new DESC housing site that will include 109 units of affordable housing in Seattle's Interbay neighborhood, including 5 dedicated respite rooms. This vital project will provide stable, supportive housing and 24/7 on-site services for single adults living with disabilities and experiencing chronic homelessness. The community will also feature welcoming indoor and outdoor common spaces.

JOB DEFINITION:

The Milieu Counselor is a key member of the on-site team, responsible for cultivating a safe, therapeutic, and welcoming environment for residents, internal/external stakeholders, and emergency responders. This role is centered on proactive resident engagement, building a sense of community, and providing direct support in shared and private living spaces. The Milieu Counselor promotes resident well-being by fostering a supportive community and helping individuals develop the skills necessary for long-term housing stability.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Participate in shift briefs and read logs before the start of each shift daily
• Provide front desk coverage when needed
• Distribute client medication and serve food on shift
• Assertively engage residents in the general milieu and common areas
• Create a healthy and welcoming environment for residents which includes maintaining the general cleanliness of grounds and common areas. This includes conducting regular perimeter walk-throughs, enforcing good neighbor policy by ensuring individuals are not loitering outside of the building and on the property premises.
• Maintain safety and security by monitoring all general access areas and enforcing project rules
• As part of an interdisciplinary team, assist residents in maintaining their housing and a healthy living environment, through proactive engagement and hands on in unit support as needed
• Assist building/care team staff with engaging residents through creative, resourceful strategies that build trust and confidence for tenants who are resistant to engaging with project/program staff.
• Assist building/care team staff in the initiation, facilitation and promotion of on-site activities, therapeutic support groups, outings and community meetings.
• Documenting in housing service notes and UECL in Chasers
• Participate in consumer feedback activities and meetings to ensure the client voice is integrated into program operations.
• Proactively intervene in crises using de-escalation skills, respond to emergencies, and initiate action as required, including contact and collaborating with emergency response systems
• Write significant events involving residents and building operations activities in a daily log; read log daily
• Assist with unit turnovers, new resident leasing and orientation; rent collection and facilities inspections
• Respond to resident complaints in a manner consistent with DESC values
• Work cooperatively with staff at the project and with visiting providers and/or emergency responders when on site.
• Escort emergency responders and/or outside vendors/providers through the building when on site. This includes but is not limited to capturing and logging pertinent data pertaining to fire alarms or any work related to visits from Emergency Responders during or at the end of each shift.
• Initiate maintenance repairs by submitting work orders when noticed
• Assist with new tenant moves ins
• Participate in staff meetings and trainings
• Responding to in unit emergencies, water shut off, remediation, and cleanup after significant events
• Assist with maintaining a hygienic living environment including but limited to participating with in unit prep for pest inspections, and trash room clean up while on shift
• Assist with grounds & common area upkeep. Ensuring cleanliness and safety of hallways, laundry rooms, lobbies, and outdoor areas
• Assist with other property management functions as assigned by the site Project Manager or designated leadership team member

Requirements:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Basic understanding of homelessness and various characteristics of homeless adult population.
• Ability to communicate and work effectively with staff from various backgrounds.
• Ability to work effectively with clients displaying a wide range of unpleasant and/or bizarre behaviors.
• Subscription to philosophy of cooperation and continuity across programs and of consideration and respect for clients.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• BA degree in social or behavioral science.
• Residential property management experience.
• Experience with the challenges of mental illness and substance use.
• Ability to drive an agency or personal vehicle to conduct agency related business, which requires a current Washington State driver's license and insurable driving record.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required to sit, communicate with other employees, lift and carry items weighing up to 40 pounds, and operate computer hardware systems. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

DESC is committed to diversity in the workplace, and promotes equal employment opportunities for all staff members and applicants. The Agency will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, caste, marital status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability in any employment practice, unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification. Minorities and veterans are encouraged to apply.