Greater Valley YMCA-Allentown Branch
425 South 15th Street
Allentown, PA 18102
P: 610-351-9622 greatervalleyymca.org

GREATER VALLEY YMCA JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Warming Center Counselor

Status: Non-Exempt

Status: Part-Time (29 hours per week) Department: Warming Station

Reports to: Warming Center Director(Supervisor-weekends) Revision Date: 08/24/2018

POSITION SUMMARY

This position supports the work of the Y, a leading non-profit committed to strengthening community through youth

development, healthy living and social responsibility. Works to ensure smooth and successful operation of a

community warming center for the homeless supporting our mission of social responsibility.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Provides supervision to participants utilizing the warming center during operational hours.

2. May assist with intake of participants.

3. Assures program compliance with all policies and procedures.

4. Ensures safety and security of facility and guests.

5. Implements Warming Center rules and guest restrictions.

6. Ensures center is clean and handles custodial duties as appropriate.

7. Remains awake during overnight hours of position to ensure supervision of participants.

8. Snow removal may be required as necessary.

9. Assists with the outreach for program.

10. Performs other duties as assigned.

YMCA COMPETENCIES (Leader):

Mission Advancement: Accepts and demonstrates the Y’s values. Demonstrates a desire to serve others and fulfill

community needs. Supports fundraising.

Collaboration: Works effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions and perceptions. Builds

rapport and relates well to others. Seeks first to understand the other person’s point of view and remains calm in

challenging situations. Listens for understanding and meaning; speaks and writes effectively. Takes initiative to assist

in developing others.

Operational Effectiveness: Makes sound judgments and transfers learning from one situation to another. Embraces

new approaches and discovers ideas to create a better member experience. Establishes goals, clarifies tasks, plans

work and actively participates in meetings. Follows budgeting policies and procedures and reports all financial

irregularities immediately. Strives to meet or exceed goals.

Personal Growth: Pursues self-development that enhances job performance. Demonstrates an openness to change

and seeks opportunities in the change process. Accurately assesses personal feelings, strengths and limitations and

how they impact relationships. Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses

best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology.

GVYMCA ASSOCIATION WARMING CENTER COUNSELOR

QUALIFICATIONS:

1. High School diploma or equivalent required. Currently enrolled in a degree program, preferred.

2. One or more years of related experience in non-profit. Previous experience with homeless population

preferred, not required.

3. Ability to handle variety of situations, while remaining calm in potentially difficult circumstances.

4. Good verbal and written communication.

5. Knowledgeable about office processes and procedures.

6. Ability to work with integrity, discretion and a professional approach, maintaining confidentiality as necessary.

7. Bi-lingual (Spanish) helpful, but not required.

8. Prefer knowledge of, and previous experience with, diverse populations (language, culture, race, physical

ability, sexual orientation, etc.)

9. Previous experience with mental health/drug addiction issues preferred.

10. Must be CPR with AED, First Aid and NARCON Training prior to start of position and maintain updated

certifications as long as employed.

11. Must have personal transportation and ability to report to scheduled shift regardless of weather conditions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully

perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with

disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be required to use a computer for a short period of

time and be able to communicate using a computer and phone/smart device. 

The employee frequently is required to sit and reach and must be able to move around the work environment. 

Sufficient physical strength and ability to carry out essential duties. 

Ability to work with paint, cleaning equipment, chemical compounds, solvents, cleaners and solutions in dry,

liquid, powder spray and aerosol forms. 

Ability to paint, clean equipment and operate motorized equipment as needed. 

Ability to work in conditions that will create dirt and dust. 

Ability to perform essential maintenance to facility or equipment which may involve, but not limited to the

following activities” semi-reaching to full-reach overhead; crouching, kneeling, shoveling, carrying, working in

narrow and/or confining spaces: underground, overhead and at ground level; twisting of the waist, shoulders

and legs and lying on stomach and/or back. 

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. 

Employee must be able to work overnights, weekends and holidays. 

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust. 

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

SELF-MOTIVATION & INNOVATION:

To be able to accomplish the goals set forth in this job description, the incumbent will need to possess a will to

succeed. Should always have the mind-set, “What can I do to advance the Y and help it become more successful?”

The heart of the position will be the ability to look past “what is” and to see “what can/should be.”

SIGNATURE:

I have reviewed and understand this job description for my position at the Greater Valley YMCA. The above

statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by persons assigned to this

position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all associated responsibilities, skills, efforts or working

conditions. The Greater Valley YMCA reserves the right to change, amend, add, delete and otherwise assign any and

all duties, responsibilities and position titles as it deems necessary to meet the needs of the business.

__________________________________ _________________________________

GVYMCA ASSOCIATION WARMING CENTER COUNSELOR

Employee’s name Employee’s signature

_________________________________ _________________________________

Supervisor’s Name Supervisor’s Signature

Today’s date: _______________________