Teen Program Counselor, Project H.O.M.E.

Posted by on December 31, 2004

[posted from CTCNet Delaware Valley listserv; emailed 12/15/2004]

Job Description
Honnickman Learning Center/Comcast Technology Labs
Job Title: Teen Program Counselor

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Teen Program Counselor plans, coordinates and provides College Access and employment preparation services and facilitates general health and wellness initiatives in the Teen Program. As well as, assist the program manager develop and strengthen volunteer support and other resources to enhance the Teen program.

General responsibilities: (all responsibilities are done in a coordinated and supportive effort with the Program Manager)
? Assist with the publication of Teen program events to the appropriate people in the Project H.O.M.E. community and the local neighborhoods
? Support the collaboration with all Project H.O.M.E. program staff to help meet the needs of neighborhood youth and families
? Coordinate and establish a monthly schedule for Teen program for CAP library and workshops, employment trainings, and volunteer trainings
? Maintain contact with students and families in the Teen Program, their schools and teachers as it relates to college access, employment and volunteer efforts of the Teen Program
? Assist the Program Manager in meeting daily program needs
? Assist with setting up and facilitating special events and trainings
? Coordinate and establish regular behavior health workshops for students
? Counsel students, as needed, in weekly groups or individually
? Guide Teen program staff in health issues that affect teens

Volunteer programming and partnership:
? Assist manager with partnerships with local universities, colleges and service programs to facilitate recruitment of consistent and well-prepared volunteers to support program operation
? Work with volunteer coordinator and program manager to recruit and place volunteers in the teen program and ensure files are maintained and trainings and orientations provided
? Oversee the maintenance of criminal record check and police clearance paperwork, as well as daily attendance and performance review forms, and ensure that it is submitted to the appropriate recipients in a timely fashion

College Access Program:
? Design publicity materials for College Access program to target various audiences, including students, adults, teachers, and partner organizations
? Work with local schools and universities to coordinate and teach workshops in line with the CAP curriculum (in study skills, leadership, academic subjects, college preparation, job readiness, and other areas), including recruiting instructors and college student volunteers for presentations as well as college campus visits, job and college fairs
? Create and maintain a system to meet regularly with students and parents to track progress and update files and plan for careers and post-secondary education
? Provide services for 120 students and 30 adults in the first year with each grade level and adults having at least one workshop per month
? Oversee the set-up and maintenance of the College Access Program space, including ordering necessary equipment and managing the TRIO grant
? Ensure that volunteers are recruited and trained for working in the CAP library

Employment programming:
? Develop an employment preparation program in cooperation with the Employment Specialist, Philadelphia Youth Network and/or other training and employment providers; provide skill-building workshops and one-on-one counseling for teens meeting requirements; support their progress so that youth can be placed in paid internships or unsubsidized positions
? In cooperation with Employment Specialist and the Program Manager, purchase and manage appropriate print and software resources to support teens in successful employment preparation
? Assist in the development and implementation of a telemarketing partnership with Comcast serving neighborhood youth and adults
? Ensure that programming is appealing to older youth through employment preparation training and job placement and overall staff availability to meet the needs of older teens
? Recruit, train and place 40 teens in paid internships/unsubsidized positions

Project H.O.M.E. reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as needed. This job description is not meant to be an all inclusive statement of the duties and responsibilities of the job nor does it constitute a written or implied contract.

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR(S): Teen Program Manager

INTERNAL/EXTERNAL CONTACTS:
The work of Project H.O.M.E. is rooted in our strong spiritual conviction of the dignity of each person. As such, we strive to function as a community of individuals who demonstrate respect, courtesy, dignity, support and care for all people.

Our community of care extends to homeless persons, residents, vendors, consumers, staff, outside agencies and all people who enter our dwelling places. Thus, we work to avoid making assumptions and generalizations about people. We demonstrate and foster respect for cultural differences. We believe in our ability to listen and learn from one another.

Specifically, building community for the Teen Program Counselor means:
1. Receiving and responding to work tasks in a courteous and timely fashion.
2. Meet and greet visitors, residents, other staff and co-workers in a polished and welcoming manner.
3. Intentionally maintaining open dialogue and verbal/written communication to eliminate chaos, confusion, and misunderstanding.
4. Strives to put others at ease and communicate in ways they can understand.
5. Develops and maintains smooth, cooperative working relationships with others.
6. Encourages open expression of ideas and opinions.
Additionally, all staff is responsible for the following:
1. Commitment to the mission of Project H.O.M.E.
2. Work at establishing a base of trust with each resident.
3. Develop good working relationships among community and staff.
4. Continue to learn about mental illness, addictions, and dually diagnosed residents.
5. Accept residents "where they are at" while working to assist them.
6. Observe confidentiality, privacy, and dignity of each resident.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS: Bachelor?s degree

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
? Minimum of of one year related experience
? Teaching experience (preferably teenagers)
? Strong computer skills
? Excellent organization and planning skills
? Strong written & verbal communication skills
? Good relationship building & networking skills
? Submit & satisfactorily pass criminal & child abuse background checks.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Physical activities (games, etc.)

WORKING HOURS:
Tuesday – Friday: 10:00 – 6:00
Saturday & Sunday: As needed
Total: 40 hours per week with flexibility to work some evenings and weekends

To obtain more information or to apply for the position, contact April Alcaraz at aalcaraz@projecthome.org.