General Statement of Duties:
Residential Relief Staff provide direct client services to the residents of Community Services Board operated residential services. Residents are individuals with serious mental illness who are residing in community-based residences. Residential Relief Staff work assigned hours in order to ensure staffing coverage to meet the needs of the residents.
Services include training and support in daily living skills, household management skills, supportive and/or educational counseling, client goal-setting and progress evaluation, activities to promote community integration, on-site support and emergency intervention. The Coordinator of Residential Services supervises the work of the Residential Relief Staff. The work requires that confidentiality be maintained in accordance with Board policy. Discretion and independent judgment in providing services are required.
Major Essential Functions:
Develops knowledge of residents’ strengths and needs, including background information about social, psychological, medical, independent living characteristics.
Works assigned hours and/or stays overnight to provide oversight for residents, including some scheduled hours when other agencies are closed.
Provides supervision and guidance to residents, helping establish and maintain daily living routines.
Provides direct training and support to residents based on their needs and interests in order to maintain or improve their community living skills.
Develops and maintains supportive relationships with residents which promote maximum functioning of each individual.
Provides supportive and/or educational counseling, in keeping with each resident’s individual services plan.
Provides crisis intervention as needed, accessing emergency services as appropriate.
Plans and conducts activities with residents to promote community integration.
Summarizes clients’ activities and makes written reports.
Handles any physical plant emergencies.
Maintains effective relationships with co-workers and clients based on courtesy, compassion, and respect.
Is responsible for other duties as assigned, consistent with established policy and procedures.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Working knowledge of mental illness and substance abuse; some knowledge of principles, practices, and methods of mental health education and counseling; principles of record keeping and documentation; basic ethics appropriate to a helping relationship including confidentiality issues; demonstrated ability to work with targeted populations; ability to instruct and support clients; ability to work effectively with clients and service providers in the community; good interpersonal skills including the ability to empathize, demonstrate respect, communicate warmly and honestly, and allow a client to assume responsibility for himself/herself; show good judgment and ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Additional Requirement:
Possession of a valid driver’s license and acceptable driving record.
Minimum Education and Experience:
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in human services or a related specialty; OR graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in another field with a minimum of 16 credit hours in a human services or related specialty.
Other Information:
Equipment: Telephone, computer, printer/copier/fax, vehicle, breathalyzer
Work Environment: CSB operated residential settings, community settings, and offices with lighting levels, temperature ranges, air quality, and ventilation and noise levels as provided in each setting.
Work Location: CSB operated residential settings; community settings.
Work Hazards: Standard hazards associated with a mental health treatment environment. Standard hazards associated with human service residential environment including hazards associated with problem behaviors; occasional hazards associated with community activities; occasional hazards associated with being the sole staff member on the house premises.
Work Schedule: Hours are scheduled to provide support to residents based on their needs and include evening and weekend responsibilities. Flexibility is required in order to meet and respond to residents’ needs. Regular and reliable attendance is required.