Milieu Counselor - Day Shift, Birch Grove

Description

Days Off:

Tuesday, Wednesday

Shift:

Day

Insurance Benefits:

Dental, Life, Long-term Disability, Medical (no premiums/payroll deductions for employee coverage)

Other Benefits:

Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Flexible Spending Account (FSA), ORCA card subsidy, Paid Time Off (34 days per year), Retirement Plan

Union Representation:

This position is a part of a union and is represented by SEIU Healthcare 1199NW.

About DESC:

Recognized nationally as an innovator and leader in developing solutions to homelessness, DESC is a social services organization, supportive housing operator, and licensed behavioral health treatment provider focused on meeting the needs of people experiencing long-term homelessness and living with complex behavioral health and other medical conditions. Approximately 3,000 people are actively receiving services from DESC at any given point in time. Our vision is a community where all people are shown compassion, treated with dignity, and everyone has a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home.

DESC operates five shelter/emergency housing programs,19 permanent supportive housing facilities with over 1,750 units, several hundred additional scattered site apartments, and a range of behavioral health services including outpatient mental health and substance use disorder treatment, residential crisis stabilization, street outreach, mobile crisis response, and treatment for opioid use disorder.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

Birch Grove will be DESC's 20th permanent supportive housing site that will include 120 units of affordable housing in Seattle's Lake City neighborhood. This vital project will provide stable, supportive housing and 24/7 on-site services for single adults living with disabilities and experiencing chronic homelessness. The community will also feature welcoming indoor and outdoor common spaces.

JOB DEFINITION:

The Milieu Counselor is a key member of the on‑site team, responsible for cultivating a safe, therapeutic, and welcoming environment for residents, internal/external stakeholders, and emergency responders. This role is centered on proactive resident engagement, building a sense of community, and providing direct support in shared and private living spaces. The Milieu Counselor promotes resident well‑being by fostering a supportive community and helping individuals develop the skills necessary for long‑term housing stability.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Participate in shift briefs and read logs before the start of each shift daily

Provide front desk coverage when needed

Distribute client medication and serve food on shift

Assertively engage residents in the general milieu and common areas

Create a healthy and welcoming environment for residents which includes maintaining the general cleanliness of grounds and common areas. This includes conducting regular perimeter walk‑throughs, enforcing good neighbor policy by ensuring individuals are not loitering outside of the building and on the property premises.

Maintain safety and security by monitoring all general access areas and enforcing project rules

As part of an interdisciplinary team, assist residents in maintaining their housing and a healthy living environment, through proactive engagement and hands on in unit support as needed

Assist building/care team staff with engaging residents through creative, resourceful strategies that build trust and confidence for tenants who are resistant to engaging with project/program staff.

Assist building/care team staff in the initiation, facilitation and promotion of on‑site activities, therapeutic support groups, outings and community meetings.

Documenting in housing service notes and UECL in Chasers

Participate in consumer feedback activities and meetings to ensure the client voice is integrated into program operations.

Proactively intervene in crises using de‑escalation skills, respond to emergencies, and initiate action as required, including contact and collaborating with emergency response systems

Write significant events involving residents and building operations activities in a daily log; read log daily

Assist with unit turnovers, new resident leasing and orientation; rent collection and facilities inspections

Respond to resident complaints in a manner consistent with DESC values

Work cooperatively with staff at the project and with visiting providers and/or emergency responders when on site.

Escort emergency responders and/or outside vendors/providers through the building when on site. This includes but is not limited to capturing and logging pertinent data pertaining to fire alarms or any work related to visits from Emergency Responders during or at the end of each shift.

Initiate maintenance repairs by submitting work orders when noticed

Assist with new tenant moves ins

Participate in staff meetings and trainings

Responding to in unit emergencies, water shut off, remediation, and cleanup after significant events

Assist with maintaining a hygienic living environment including but limited to participating with in unit prep for pest inspections, and trash room clean up while on shift

Assist with grounds & common area upkeep. Ensuring cleanliness and safety of hallways, laundry rooms, lobbies, and outdoor areas

Assist with other property management functions as assigned by the site Project Manager or designated leadership team member

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Ability to meet Washington Department of Health requirements for registration as a Registered Agency Affiliated Counselor (AAC) or any other superseding credential.

Basic understanding of homelessness and various characteristics of homeless adult population.

Ability to communicate and work effectively with staff from various backgrounds.

Ability to work effectively with clients displaying a wide range of unpleasant and/or bizarre behaviors.

Subscription to philosophy of cooperation and continuity across programs and of consideration and respect for clients.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

BA degree in social or behavioral science.

Residential property management experience.

Experience with the challenges of mental illness and substance use.

Ability to drive an agency or personal vehicle to conduct agency related business, which requires a current Washington State driver's license and insurable driving record.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required to sit, communicate with other employees, lift and carry items weighing up to 40 pounds, and operate computer hardware systems. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER:

DESC is committed to diversity in the workplace, and promotes equal employment opportunities for all staff members and applicants. The Agency will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, creed, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, caste, marital status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability in any employment practice, unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification. Minorities and veterans are encouraged to apply.

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