Womens Shelter Evening Counselor

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SCHEDULE: 40 hours, Saturday-Wednesday, 245PM-1115PM. Essential position during weather or other emergencies

Pays $21.40 per hour

This position carries a retention bonus of $1500.00, payable in equal instalments of $500 at 30 days, $500 at 6 months, and $500 at 12 months.

This bonus is only available to new, external hires to Pine Street Inn, including temporary staff who are thereafter converted to permanent employment status. This bonus is not available to Pine Street Inn staff or paid interns or paid co-op students who are seeking a transfer to this role. This bonus is only payable for work actually performed in this role. Employees who leave their position before they have worked all the time required for each bonus installment will not be eligible to collect further payment for their prior position, even if they stay at Pine Street Inn in another position.

LOCATION: 363 Albany Street, Boston MA

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SUMMARY OF THE POSITION:

The Guest Services Specialist (GSS) works from the Pine Street Inn policy and procedures developed to ensure a safe shelter environment for guests and staff. The Guest Services Specialist has a primary focus on the direct care of guests and, as such, responds to guests in a timely and professional manner based on the prioritization of guests' needs. The GSS assists with the development and implementation of a housing pathway by motivating guests to rapidly work on housing and connecting guests to appropriate resources.

The Guest Services Specialists will also assist guests in connecting with substance abuse, mental health and medical resources when the shelter cannot safely accommodate a guests needs. The GSS is required to stay energized and focused even when demands are ambiguous and strenuous. The GSS is required to enter data into the Homeless Management Information (HMIS) system and to document reports in keeping with agency policy. The GSS is required to make sound decisions and appropriately seeks guidance from a supervisor.

REQUIREMENTS:

EDUCATION/TRAINING:

REQUIRED:

• High School diploma or GED

PREFERRED:

• Valid MA driver's license in good standing
• Bilingual English/Spanish

KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE:

REQUIRED:

• Minimum of one (1) year of experience in the Human Services field

PREFERRED:

• Administering Narcan and CPR in a work setting

• Knowledge in the areas of addiction, recovery, and mental illness
• Knowledge of issues pertaining to the homeless
• Knowledge of area resources

PHYSICAL ABILITIES/SKILLS:

REQUIRED:

• Ability to stand for long periods of time
• Ability to stretch, bend and lift up to (twenty-five) 25 lbs.
• Ability to assist guests up and down stairs, and in-and-out of wheelchairs

• Ability to respond quickly to emergencies

MENTAL ABILITIES/SKILLS:

REQUIRED:

• Ability to respond safely, quickly, and calmly in emergencies and to emergency situations
• Ability to use good judgement in stressful or emotionally charged situations
• The sensitivity and patience to work with guests suffering from mental illness (many untreated), alcohol and other drug addiction and abuse
• Ability to be resilient in difficult and ambiguous situations

• Ability to handle multiple assignments
• Ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing
• Ability to comprehend and apply Motivational Interviewing and Trauma-Informed Care skills
• Ability to communicate/speak (as well as to listen) in a non-judgmental manner
• Accept other duties or work locations as assigned in order to meet the needs of the organization during weather or other emergencies

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS WITHIN THE CORE COMPETENCIES FOR THE POSITION INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING:

Guest Focus

• Actively motivate guests through daily interaction to quickly move out of shelter by any means possible to include staying with family or friends and moving back to their community of origin
• Consistently follow PSI and shelter safety policies and procedures promoting a safety conscious work environment
• Treat all guests and staff with dignity and respect
• Proactively conduct wellness checks of guests in different sections of the building
• De-escalate stressful situations utilizing Critical Incident Debriefing and Trauma-informed Care
• Administer Naloxone as needed
• Perform CPR as needed
• Enforce the “Good Neighbor Policy”: Monitor the building and the surrounding area for safety, security and hazards ensuring a safe/secure environment for guests, staff and all others
• Connect guests to emergency medical services, detox and other community programs as needed to include, but not limited to, Triage, Rapid Re-Housing (RRH) services, Day Services, Detox and substance abuse services

• Connect guests to MATCH behavioral supports to assess and respond to symptoms of mental illness and co-occurring disorders
• Enhance a quick match to housing by working collaboratively with PSI Triage, RRH and housing placement staff

• Maintain daily shelter documentation to include but not limited to: shelter intake when needed, HMIS systems, log and referral books maintained at the front desk, Suspension of Services (SOS) and SOS status
• Follow animal accommodation policies
• Assist guests through meal service, and as directed by a supervisor, with showering and/or dressing.
• Pleasantly greet, welcome and work with volunteers, donors, food servers, tour groups and other visitors
• Help guests with all issues pertaining to lockers as needed or assigned
• Maintain a knowledge of the effective use of the phone, fax, and computer systems and copiers located throughout the Inn

Judgement

• Seek supervision when needed
• Advise the supervisor/key carrier regarding matters of concern with operations or policy

• Adhere to and model compliance with TB-testing procedures and other PSI illness prevention policies
• Maintain current certification in CPR and First Aid
• Document all hazardous incidents and intervening appropriately in any unsafe situation
• Consistently attend and actively participate in meetings to include but not limited to shift reports, staff meetings, case conferences, supervision or check-ins with supervisor.
• Report to work regardless of weather conditions as Guest Services Specialist positions are considered essential under the PSI weather emergency policy
• Report to work and all scheduled meetings and trainings on time
• Perform other additional assignments or projects as requested/directed by supervisor, program director or senior program or agency managers Attend mandatory Narcan trainings

Resilience

• Consistently demonstrate behavior that is representative of PSI's values of Community, Teamwork, Accountability and Respect
• Utilize Trauma-Informed Care when interacting with guests and staff
• Adhere to the Inn's mandatory training requirements including CPI, CPI refresher course, Trauma- Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing, and any other training required by program management
• Actively participate in individual supervision
• Comply with and model compliance with all PSI policies, including illness prevention and occupational health policies.
• The Guest Services Specialist may be assigned other duties or locations in the event of a weather, public health, or other emergency as required to ensure the safe operations of the shelter.
• Accept other duties or work locations as assigned in order to meet the needs of the organization during weather or other emergencies.

INTERNAL CANDIDATES, IF INTERESTED IN APPLYING FOR THIS POSITION, COMPLETE AN APPLICATION FOR PROMOTION/TRANSFER AND FORWARD IT TO THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT WITHIN 10 DAYS OF POSTING.

Pine Street Inn is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.