Vocational Counselor, Clinical Services

Summary: 

The Bowery Mission is a Christian, faith-based organization committed since the 1870s to serving people experiencing homelessness, hunger, and poverty. The Bowery Mission meets essential needs and creates transformative community  with men, women, children, and families in New York so that we can together overcome homelessness and poverty and flourish. 

The Make Progress residential program provides a caring and safe environment for clients to achieve goals for life and work, heal from past trauma, overcome barriers to independent living, and grow in their relationship to Christ and others. As a key member of the Make Progress team, the Vocational Counselor will provide integrated, Christ-centered clinical services that equip residential clients to make progress on their Individual Action Plan (IAP).

The Vocational Counselor will provide the following services:

• Carry a caseload and coordinate care with interdisciplinary team, assisting clients in relational, vocational, housing, spiritual, and life skill development.
• Meet with clients one-to-one and in groups, facilitate vocational and career development classes, provide encouragement, accountability, and coaching.
• Support clients in attending to their weekly activity schedule. Participate in interdisciplinary team meetings.
• Create linkages and coordinate care with TBM team (Community Life, Clinical, Vocational and Housing Services, Spiritual Formation, etc.) and external partners to strengthen client outcomes.

Reports to: Supervisor, Clinical Services - Make Progress

Schedule:  Monday - Friday, 9am to 5:30pm 

Key Responsibilities include:

• Assess clients for vocational skills, job marketability, housing history, and barriers
• Support clients in updating resumes, searching for employment, preparing for interviews
• Identify and provide referrals for vocational training, internships, and certifications
• Evaluate and identify permanent housing options
• Identify new vocational and housing resources via linkages
• Meet with clients individually and lead classes/curriculum
• Support clients in building skills to grow professionally, follow a budget, and maintain employment and housing
• Regularly provide team members with updates regarding client employment, income and housing needs
• Coordinate and support team of volunteer and partner (community and corporate) instructors, representatives, and mentors
• Maintain adequate records to meet internal and external requirements

Required:

• Embraces the organization's Statement of Faith

• 2-3 years’ professional experience in a client support setting, including vocational support, direct case-management, and record-keeping responsibilities

• Bachelor’s degree in social services field or another relevant field

• Strong understanding of NYC area job and housing market

• Client advocacy

• Understanding of client-provider relational boundaries

• Demonstrates knowledge and cultural competency for the population served

• Excellent oral and written communication

• Fluent in-office computer technology

Preferred:

• Experience working in residential or shelter settings

• 3 years + experience in career development with relevant population, case management, social work, housing, vocational or other relevant experience

• Master’s Degree in Social Services or related field.

• Certifications in Mental Health First Aid, Non-violent Crisis Intervention, First Aid/CPR

• Formal education or training in motivational interviewing and trauma-informed care

Salary commensurate with relevant education & experience:**$55,000 - $60,000 annually

The Bowery Mission takes the health & safety of our staff, guests, clients, and volunteers very seriously, and especially as it relates to the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Due to the number of applications we receive, we are only able to respond to qualified candidates who are selected for interviews. We sincerely appreciate all candidates for their interest in The Bowery Mission.