Behavioral Health Counselor

About Us

Founded in 2000 as a winter-only, overnight shelter for women, The Delores Project has grown to offer low-barrier, housing-focused 24-7 shelter for unaccompanied adult women, transgender and nonbinary people, supportive housing for formerly chronically homeless individuals with a disability, and a robust suite of wrap-around services including on-site behavioral healthcare. The organization also provides community-based aftercare services for clients who have transitioned from homelessness to housing. At The Delores Project, we believe community and belonging are essential to healing from the trauma of homelessness and this is one way we differentiate ourselves from many other homeless service providers. In addition to a shelter, we are a community that not only meets people's basic needs and provides access to housing resources, but we also provide clients with a supportive community in a fully therapeutic environment so they can begin to heal from the trauma of homelessness and are more successful in maintaining housing and stability once they graduate from our programs. We are client-centered and strengths-based in our approach and practice of harm-reduction and trauma-informed models of care in all our programs. Our engagement with one another is rooted in our values of hospitality, integrity, collaboration, transparency, accountability, respect, and dignity for each community member, including staff and volunteers.

Job Description

The Behavioral Health Counselor provides behavioral health support (crises assessments and interventions, safety planning, drop-in counseling, support groups etc.) to shelter guests and supportive housing residents/families. This position works collaboratively with the shelter, rehousing, and supportive housing program staff to facilitate referrals and ensure continuity of care.

Core Competencies

• Adherence to ethical standards & evidence-based practice
• Active empathetic listening
• Advocacy
• Crisis intervention & management
• Professional documentation
• Research evaluation
• Non-judgement

TDP Core Competencies

• Ethics & integrity of practice
• Organization & Time Management
• Commitment to TDP's Principles of Care
• Cultural humility
• Teamwork & Collaboration
• Critical thinking & Problem Solving

Role Responsibilities

• Work in close collaboration with shelter and supportive housing teams to identify guests and residents in need behavioral health support
• Conduct intake screenings, clinical assessments, and counseling services as appropriate
• Refer shelter guests, PSH residents, and rehousing clients/former guests in need of more comprehensive support to behavioral health services in the community
• Develop individualized care plans with residents and guests, monitoring progress through regular and ongoing contact with those receiving services
• Maintain appropriate documentation regarding progress, challenges, and goal accomplishment, as well as any other supporting documents
• Facilitate in-office and virtual individual counseling sessions, as well as life skills and group therapy as appropriate
• Attend staff and clinical meetings, group consultation and supervision of Program
• Maintain a flexible schedule, including some evening and weekend hours, in order to best meet the needs of guests and residents
• Other program-related tasks as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in social work, counseling, or related mental health field (licensed or licensed eligible for LCSW or LPC)
• Two years of experience in the human services field/social work/counseling

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in relevant field (human services, social work, marketing/communications, human resources, finance, nonprofit management, etc. depending on role)
• Lived experience relevant to, or shared identities, with those The Delores Project serve including Indigenous people, communities of color, LGBTQIAI+ individuals, those with disabilities, and transgender and nonbinary people
• The desire to work as part of a team—to make decisions creatively and collaboratively and to act in the best interest of one another and the organization
• Lived or work experience with people who have been victims of trauma, those with mental health challenges, substance use disorders, those with traumatic brain injuries, and/or disabilities
• High emotional intelligence and self-awareness, commitment to assuming the best intent of others
• Prior training in mental health first aid, de-escalation, vicarious trauma, harm reduction, and crisis intervention
• Ability to be non-judgmental of other people's identities and life choices
• An understanding of professional boundaries and how to model and maintain them with colleagues and people with diverse needs and from diverse backgrounds
• Ability to positively and professionally represent The Delores Project to a diversity of stakeholders
• Ability to speak Spanish or American Sign Language fluently not required but a plus
• Good problem-solving, decision-making, and communication skills, and the ability to take initiative and work independently
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic and ever-changing work environment, ability to switch priorities and gears as necessary
• Willingness to engage in continuous learning and conversations around diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and belonging
• Ability to pass a background check (TDP is a second-chance employer and encourages all interested candidates to apply)
• Schedule flexibility based on the needs of the role/team/organization, including some evening and weekend hours when necessary and the ability to attend quarterly all-staff meetings on Saturday mornings

Additional Preferred Qualifications For Direct-Service Staff

• Understanding of client-centered, strengths-based, trauma-informed, and housing-first models of service and care
• Work or educational background in human service, social work, and/or customer service with diverse communities
• Demonstrated ability to maintain accurate and timely documentation
• Prior training in harm reduction, mental health first aid, vicarious trauma, de-escalation, crisis management, and conflict resolution
• Ability to juggle multiple priorities simultaneously
• Ability to work with and support volunteers
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to positively engage with staff, clients, volunteers and donors in person and on the telephone

Benefits

• 13 paid holidays
• Birthday pay
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Medical/dental/vision/life/mental health insurance
• Optional flex-spending account
• Free RTD Ecopass
• Optional Simple IRA/Roth IRA with a 3% employer match
• $150 signing bonus before your first paycheck (subject to all applicable state and federal taxes and withholdings)

Pay

$55,000–$59,000 per year, depending on experience

Schedule

Full-time salaried non-exempt. Maintain a flexible schedule, including some evening and weekend hours, in order to best meet the needs of guests and residents. Ability to attend quarterly all-staff meetings on Saturday mornings.

Working Conditions

This position works with and supports a residential environment including walking, standing, sitting, lifting up to 30 pounds, carrying, pushing, pulling, bending, reaching, balancing, stopping, and kneeling. Work also includes manual dexterity for typing and operating a computer, holding, grasping, and turning objects. Work also requires the ability to speak and use normal or aided vision or hearing. Hazards may involve exposure to common household chemicals, loud noises, and exposure to illness and/or unsanitary hygiene.