Relief Counselor (6113)

## Description
**Department:** Residential
**Classification:** Hourly/Non-Exempt
**Reports To:** Program Director
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**Position Overview**
The **Relief Counselor** provides **per diem coverage** (up to **34 hours per week**) for various departments within the **Charles River Center (CRC)**. Responsibilities include:

• Implementing **Individual Support Plans (ISPs)**
• Providing **direct care and supervision**
• Assisting with **daily activities**
• Ensuring compliance with CRC policies and procedures

• This role follows the **principles of normalization and community inclusion**, ensuring that individuals receive **high-quality, person-centered care** in a supportive environment.
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• **Essential Duties & Responsibilities**
• **Direct Care & Individual Support**

• Provide **per diem coverage** across CRC homes as scheduled.
• Implement and review **Individual Support Plans (ISPs)** assigned by the Program Director.
• Provide **direct support, instruction, and supervision**, including:
• Personal care (hygiene, dressing, meal preparation)
• Social skills and education
• Travel training and telephone usage
• Managing personal funds and assisting with purchases
• Encouraging participation in **religious, social, and leisure activities**
• Advocate for **human and legal rights** of individuals served.
• Assist with **household maintenance, grocery shopping, and errands** while promoting resident participation.
• Maintain a **clean, safe, and welcoming** home environment.
• Foster **community inclusion** by coordinating meaningful activities based on individual preferences.

**Behavioral & Safety Support**

• Utilize **Positive Behavioral Supports** to reinforce positive behaviors and minimize challenges.
• Assist residents in adhering to **House Rules** for their assigned home.
• Provide **overnight supervision**, ensuring individuals’ **health and safety** at all times.
• Remain **awake and alert** during overnight shifts.
• Be prepared to **stay beyond scheduled shifts** in emergencies (e.g., inclement weather, lack of relief coverage).

**Transportation & Record-Keeping**

• Transport individuals to **appointments, community activities, and events** as assigned.
• Maintain accurate and timely **record-keeping** on:
• Individual progress and behavior
• Financial transactions for individuals and house funds
• House operations and daily activities
• Communicate **concerns, issues, and program updates** to Program Directors.

**Training & Compliance**

• Attend **mandatory in-service trainings, meetings, and certification programs**.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge on **CRC policies, safety protocols, and program expectations**.
• Ensure compliance with **agency and state regulations** for residential services.

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• **Required Skills & Competencies**
• **Interpersonal & Communication Skills**

• Ability to interact in a **professional, respectful, and supportive manner** with individuals, staff, and families.
• Strong **oral and written communication skills** for reporting and documentation.
• Effective **teamwork and collaboration** with coworkers and management.
• Active listening and ability to assimilate feedback for **continuous improvement**.

**Reliability & Problem-Solving**

• Strong **dependability**—punctual and consistent in following through on responsibilities.
• Ability to **manage multiple tasks, prioritize effectively, and adapt to changing conditions**.
• Self-driven with strong **initiative and problem-solving skills**.

**Work Ethic & Professionalism**

• Adheres to **company policies and procedures**, setting a positive example for others.
• Maintains a **high standard of responsibility and accountability**.
• Demonstrates **strong organizational and planning skills** to complete tasks efficiently.

## Qualifications

• Enrolled in or completed a **degree program in Human Services** (or equivalent experience).
• Knowledge of:
• **Principles of Normalization & Community Inclusion**
• **Positive Behavioral Supports (PBS)**
• **Restraint and PAB (Physical Assistance and Behavioral) techniques**
• **Valid Massachusetts Driver’s License** required.
• Certification Requirements (**Must be obtained and maintained**):
• **Medication Administration Program (MAP)** – optional for relief staff
• **Fire Safety, Human Rights, Mandated Reporting, Universal Precautions**
• **Safety Care & Legal Restraint Training** (within first 6 months)
• **Standard First Aid & CPR** (within first 30 days)

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• **Language & Reasoning Abilities**

• Must be fluent in **English** and able to read and interpret **safety rules, policies, and procedure manuals**.
• Strong **written communication skills** for reports and correspondence.
• Ability to **effectively communicate with individuals, staff, families, and community members**.
• Able to **follow detailed written and oral instructions**.

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• **Physical Demands**
• The physical demands described below are essential to the job. Reasonable accommodations can be made for individuals with disabilities.

• Frequent **sitting, standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, or crouching**.
• Frequent **use of hands/fingers** for tasks such as meal preparation and documentation.
• Ability to **lift up to 30 pounds** (floor to waist) and **10-15 pounds overhead**.
• Must be able to assist in **lifting individuals up to 100 pounds** (support provided as needed).
• Requires **significant endurance** to meet the physical demands of the role.

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• **Work Hours & Scheduling Policy**

• Relief staff **must not exceed 34 hours per week**.
• The CRC workweek begins at **11:00 p.m. on Friday night** (e.g., a Friday overnight shift counts toward the weekly limit).
• Employees **must track their own hours** and are responsible for ensuring they do not exceed limits.
• Only a **Cluster Director or the Vice President for Residential Services** can approve schedules exceeding the 34-hour limit.
• Employees who exceed the **34-hour limit without approval may be removed from the relief staff list**.