Residential Counselor Hypothermia Prevention Program

Residential Counselor Hypothermia Prevention Program

Descriptive Summary The Temporary Residential Counselor (RC) for the Hypothermia Prevention Program is responsible for the safe and efficient operation of the program from December 1st through April 1st. The RC works as a team on the shift, bears ultimate responsibility for ensuring that essential shelter operations are conducted and that services are equitable and delivered with integrity in accordance with the Agency Mission, Vision, and Values.

The RC evaluates and provides for the individual needs of each shelter guest, maintaining dignity and confidentiality. The RC must have strong interpersonal and motivational skills and a patient, trauma‑informed approach to service delivery. The RC coordinates and assists volunteers, maintains accurate documentation, assists donors and community members with food donations, and may use lived personal experience of housing instability to help assess system barriers.

• Opens and closes the Hypothermia site each day.
• Sets up coffee and food serving area daily.
• Receives food donations and assists donors in completing the donation form.
• Greets visitors and answers the phone in a welcoming and engaging manner.
• Interacts with Hypothermia shelter guests in a positive and respectful manner.
• Provides orientation to new Hypothermia shelter guests to facilitate adaptation to the shelter environment.
• Monitors and maintains participant count throughout the entire shift.
• Completes a walk‑through every hour and documents in the Fire Watch logbook.
• Passes out mats once the floors have been swept and mopped.
• Organizes and passes out sleeping bags and blankets.
• Cleans and organizes supply, mat, and sleeping bag closet.
• Keeps kitchen and Hypothermia area clean at all times.
• Completes shift documentation including, but not limited to, shift notes, changeover updates, and perimeter checks.
• Notifies supervisor of any critical incidents and completes Critical Incident Report prior to the end of shift.
• Establishes and maintains a working and residential environment that promotes mutual respect between staff members, participants, volunteers, and community.
• Conducts after‑hours intakes as needed.
• Provides support, problem resolution, and emergency crisis intervention and stabilization services for shelter guests.
• Reads email, shift logs, service suspensions, incident reports, etc. during shift in order to remain up to date.
• Communicates with program staff regarding participant and residential concerns.
• Ensures that all documentation and shift responsibilities are completed prior to leaving the facility.
• Attends required staff meetings, retreats, and trainings.
• Position requires frequent physical activity including unloading and stocking donations, distributing supplies, doing laundry, organizing, completing grounds checks, and dorm checks.
• Overnight positions are awake positions and require staff to be alert and responsive throughout the entire shift.
• Serves as essential staff during inclement weather and other emergencies.
• Must be available for required training.
• May be deployed to work Residential Counselor positions at the Embry Rucker Community Shelter (ERCS) as needed.
• Performs any other duties deemed necessary to support the program and agency.

• This role has no supervisory responsibilities.

Shifts Available

• 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
• 5:00 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.
• 11:00 p.m. – 7:00 a.m.
• 11:30 p.m. – 7:30 a.m. (Last ½ hour completed at the Embry Rucker Community Shelter to assist the front desk due to extra breakfast guests).
• Must commit to a minimum of 2 shifts per week.

• Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)
• High School Diploma.
• Certification in Mandt or similar technique.
• CPR and First Aid Certification.
• Bilingual in Spanish and English a plus.
• Experience working with vulnerable individuals including those with mental health and/or substance abuse disabilities is required.
• Experience with Microsoft programs including Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Ability to learn, process information, prioritize competing priorities, and make sound and reasoned decisions in a fast‑paced environment.
• Ability to complete tasks while navigating frequent interruptions.
• Effect…