Counselor~ Respite House

Job Title

Job Level

Full Time

Full Job Description

“THE RESPITE” will be a peer-staffed and peer-run 8 bed house that will provide a haven and support services to individuals who may be experiencing the onset of emotional distress or a mental health disruption in their life. The Respite will provide a safe and supportive setting for those who may need a break from their living environment in order to receive assistance to regain their “balance”. The Respite will strive to foster recovery and increase meaningful choices for recovery for individuals with serious mental illness

OVERALL JOB OBJECTIVE:

Under close supervision, the Counselors will be responsible for providing a safe and secure environment by providing support to residents during their psychiatric crisis. Counselors will provide a focus on mutual learning, connection and personal growth as the path to managing distress and crisis. Counselors will remain vigilant and available to any resident having difficulties. Special focus will be on the resident's needs related to physical health, issues of chemical dependency and/or mental health, and reentry into the community. Services will be delivered with dignity and respect for each resident.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:

· Establish a close working relationship with residents in the program. This relationship is important to create a safe environment and a partnership that will help the individual work toward psychiatric stability.

· Maintain a safe, secure and sober environment by supporting residents and addressing behavioral issues as needed. Use common sense and good judgment in responding to emergency or crisis situations.

· Assist residents in connecting with support systems and community resources.

· Complete required paperwork in a timely manner. Review all log entries and make appropriate pertinent entries addressing behavioral issues and/or unusual activities.

· Participate in the effort to keep the facility clean, well maintained and running smoothly. This will include household duties such as shopping, cooking, laundry and cleaning.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER,

COMMITTED TO DIVERSITY IN THE WORKPLACE.

Fax #:

fax: (831) 459-0665

Mailing Address:

290 Pioneer St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

· Priority hiring will be to Mental Health Peers. A peer is defined as a “person who can inspire hope by openly sharing their experiences of recovery from extreme emotional distress, a psychiatric diagnosis, and the consequences of the disruption to their life that lasted at least three months.”· Attendance at IPS and Seeking Safety trainings is highly desirable. These trainings will be offered to the community in the fall of 2010.

· High School diploma, GED or equivalent life experience.

· Experience working with mental health consumers desirable but not required.

· Ability to use considerable judgment in relating to individuals in crisis and ability to maintain a safe clean and supportive environment.

· Demonstrated ability to organize and complete tasks.

· Knowledge of community resources, and ability to perform support services that assist residents in personal growth and everyday living skills.

· Interpersonal and communications skills. Willingness to be supervised and trained.

· Understanding of basic food preparation and nutrition desirable.

· Supportive of a culturally diverse environment and staff.

· Flexibility to work varied shifts, including evenings, weekends and holidays.

· Valid Ca. driver’s license and insurance desirable.

· Demonstrated ability to constructively deal with a high degree of stress.

· Staff in recovery ideally should have a minimum of two years sobriety upon hired.

Salary Information

WAGE: $10.80 – $15.83/hour, depending upon experience. Additional 50¢/hour for Spanish bilingual competency. BENEFITS: Full-time staff, working 30 or more hours/week, will be entitled to medical/dental/vision insurance coverage for employee and family, with small employee co-pay. 17 days paid vacation, 11.5 paid holidays and paid sick time. Part-time staff (29 hrs/week or less) are only eligible for sick time.