Resource Counselor – Homeward Bound of Marin – San Rafael, CA

Title: Resource Counselor – Family Center Regular Full Time: 40 hours/week

Hourly Hiring Range: $16.00 – $18.00 Grade: n/a

Reports to: Program Manager Non-Exempt

Unit: Residential – Family Programs Start Date: 8/1/2014

For Job Announcement:

Are you someone who wants their work to have meaning and impact? Do you enjoy working for change and supporting the work of an organization that does too? Do you have a passion for sharing your skills and talents, learning new ones, and working with a team dedicated to continuous improvement and growth? Then read on for a new opportunity at Homeward Bound of Marin!

Homeward Bound is Marin County’s primary provider of homeless services, offering short- and long-term supportive housing, job-training and placement, and resource and counseling services in support of our client’s safety, dignity, and independence. We are looking for the right person to join our family shelter in San Rafael – a full-time (40 hours per week) Resource Counselor.

PLEASE NOTE: This position is for the following shift at the Family Center: Tuesday through Saturday from 12:30pm – 9:00pm!

Principal Responsibility:

Under the direction of the Program Manager, the Resource Counselor works with homeless families and children who are experiencing the trauma of homelessness and poverty. The Resource Counselor provides a balance of encouragement and support while holding families accountable to program agreements and individual goals.

Major Duties:

Support families in their transition out of homeless by working in partnership with families around their goals and housing plans
Develop, plan and oversee program activities which provide social interaction, developmental and educational activities for children and life skills for parents
Act as a liaison with schools to ensure children are enrolled in school in a timely manner
Connect parents to early childhood education and summer enrichment programs including Head Start, childcare and summer camps
Act as mediator and provide conflict resolution to resolve household disputes and concerns
Provide advocacy based on individual resident needs
Provide referrals and information to connect residents to local services and resources
Work in partnership with volunteers, interns and donors
Oversee maintenance and care of the residence and communicate needs and concerns to Program Manager
Oversee child safety and children’s health issues
Maintain records and collect information as required by the program
Provide child care as needed during groups
Attend and participate in staff meetings, supervision, and training
Perform other duties as assigned.

Relationships:

Establishes and maintains open and collaborative relationships with colleagues.
Greets, communicates, and treats all program participants with respect, dignity, and an attitude of service
Maintains confidentiality related to all program participants
Communicates clearly with supervisor

Minimum Qualifications/Requirements:

Education or Training Equivalent To:

High school diploma required; further education, certification, or comparable professional experience in social work, psychology, or a related or relevant field preferred

Minimum Years of Additional Related Experience:

2-3 years’ experience working with under-resourced, low-income children and families; experience working with families and/or children experiencing homelessness is desired
Knowledge of mental health, substance abuse, and recovery/addiction issues
Knowledge of early childhood development and educational needs
Knowledge of substance abuse and mental health issues

Physical Requirements:

Ability to sit, and use a computer mouse, keyboard, and monitor, for moderate periods of time (1 – 3 hours per day)
Ability to stoop, crouch, kneel, and/or crawl on occasion
Ability to lift and/or move objects weighing up to 50 pounds

Special Qualifications & Qualities (skills, abilities, licenses):

Enthusiasm for working with families experiencing homelessness
Ability to empower and motivate families to make positive changes
Ability to work cooperatively with and contribute to a diverse workplace through ideas or experience
Experience with Windows and Microsoft Office Suite software
Self-starter who takes appropriate initiative, has excellent time management and organizational skills, the ability to prioritize and organize, is creative and has a sense of humor
Dynamic, resourceful, flexible, kind, compassionate, understanding
High level of awareness and comfort working in a culturally and ethnically diverse work environment

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

At Homeward Bound we are committed to embracing diversity. All decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, promotion, assignment, training, termination, and other terms and conditions of employment will be made without regard to race, color, gender, religion, national origin, creed, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age disability, veteran status, political ideology, or any legally protected class. It has always been and continues to be Homeward Bound’s policy that employees should be able to enjoy a work environment free from all forms of harassment and discrimination. We encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds to apply for any open position for which they feel qualified.

If this is a position that sounds right for you, please forward your resume and cover letter to:

Tony Stithz, Homeward Bound of Marin, FAX: (415) 457-2167; astithz@hbofm.org

[yuzo_related]