Job Details

SENIOR HUMAN SERVICES COUNSELOR - WARMING CENTER

SENIOR HUMAN SERVICES COUNSELORS

Health & Human Services

About the City of Portland Health & Human Services Department:

Come do good work with us! The Health & Human Services Department consists of four unique divisions; Barron Center, Elder Affairs, Public Health, and Social Services. We strive to enhance the health and well-being of the residents of Portland in collaboration with our community, state, and federal partners. The City is opening a temporary winter warming shelter located at 166 Riverside Industrial Parkway. Be part of the solution by joining a program that makes our community a better place to live, work, and play for every Portland resident. Your efforts will directly impact the lives of the unhoused community.

Job Summary:

The City is hiring three supervisory positions to assist with the temporary operations of a warming shelter, located at 166 Riverside Industrial Parkway. A Senior Human Services Counselor is responsible for overseeing the operations of the shelter and requires direct supervision of Shelter Attendants and other shelter staff. Other key responsibilities include completing intake paperwork, data quality assurance, and communication with senior shelter management. Successful candidates will have a positive attitude with exceptional patience and proven customer service skills.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Review clients to determine shelter eligibility, social history, residency status, and employment/disability status.
• Makes referrals for finance, health, and any other needs requiring assistance.
• Works closely with shelter support staff ensuring residents with special needs receive individualized attention.
• Documents client activity for permanent record reports and enters all necessary client information into shelter database.
• Attends monthly staff meetings and supervisory conferences and performs related work as required.
• Assists in crisis situations at the shelter.
  

Required Skills & Experience: High School completion and previous experience working in a homeless shelter is required. Basic computer skills are required.

• Previous experience with homeless or low income/at risk case management and housing placement
• Experience with casework, case management, counseling, and program development
• Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of interpersonal relationships and dynamics as they pertain to the human services field
• Demonstrated ability to provide excellent customer service and in turn, motivate staff to meet performance measures
• Ability to learn pertinent federal and state regulations and laws within a reasonable time frame
• Knowledge of shelter operations and homeless best practices
• Demonstrated leadership abilities
• Experience preparing statistical reports and completing related documentation
  

Preferred Skills & Experience: Bachelor's Degree in Social Services encouraged. High School completion with any equivalent combination of education, experience, and relevant training accepted.

• Working knowledge of HMIS
• Experience working with the homeless population with disabilities, including mental health and substance use issues, and crisis intervention
• Knowledge of employment assessment tools, vocational rehabilitation programs, and other training
• Proficiency with data entry and word processing
• Prior supervisory experience

Expected Hours/Schedule:

These are full time project positions at 37.5 hours per week. Available schedules are Sunday-Tuesday, Wednesday-Friday, and Friday-Sunday, 6:30pm-7:30am.

Applications accepted until all project positions are filled.

Offers of employment are contingent upon the completion of a satisfactory criminal background check.

Salary & Benefits:

These are non-union project positions, of a limited duration, Grade B25, with a starting pay range of $30.47-$31.38 per hour, based on relevant years of experience.

A retention bonus is available to qualified new hires who commit to the project timeline and remain employed through April 30, 2027. Bonuses will be prorated for anyone hired on or after December 1, 2026.

For more information about compensation with the City of Portland, please refer to the City's policies and non-union pay plan

The City of Portland prides itself on its outstanding benefits and collegial and mission-driven work environment. City benefits include:

• Free employee health insurance with the completion of wellness incentives
• Thirteen paid holidays
• Sick, vacation, and personal leave
• Dental, vision, and income protection insurances
• Choice of retirement plans, including a pension plan
• Use of City recreation facilities
• Fitness Reimbursement
• Discount on professional development programs through USM and Thomas College
  
  If you have any questions or need assistance with the application, please email Human Resources at jobs@portlandmaine.gov or call 207-874-8624.
  
  

The City of Portland believes that to do our best work, our employees need to reflect the diverse, vibrant community we serve. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to celebrating all dimensions of diversity in the workplace. Applicants are considered without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other applicable legally protected characteristics. If you need to request a reasonable accommodation, please call 207-874-8624 or email hrinfo@portlandmaine.gov.

Type : INTERNAL & EXTERNAL

Group : NON UNION

Job Family : SOCIAL SERVICES

Posting Start : 11/03/2026

Posting End : 12/31/9999

Details : Job description

To apply, visit https://selfservice.portlandmaine.gov/ess/EmploymentOpportunities/JobDetail.aspx?req=126&sreq=6&form=1000&desc=SENIOR%20HUMAN%20SERVICES%20COUNSELOR%20-%20WARMING%20CENTER