Who We Are: The Arizona Pet Project is a nonprofit 501c(3) on a mission to support families and save pets. We offer innovative services and support to reach pets and families with the highest need. The organization also stands firmly behind the belief that pet companionship should be available to all, regardless of an individual or family's socio-economic situation.

Who We Need: The Arizona Pet Project seeks driven, and compassionate candidates with experience working with people experiencing homelessness or crisis. Ideal candidates are highly organized, data and outcome-driven, and excel in a workplace that is fast-paced and dynamic; who are non-judgmental, creative and can build relationships with a spectrum of people from all socio-economic and cultural backgrounds; who can communicate clearly and professionally; who can analyze each client's situation and identify resources and collaborations which will protect the family bond, consisting of people and their pets.

The Homeless Community Counselor position is a full-time on-site opportunity.

Roles & Responsibilities:

The Homeless Community Counselor focus is to connect people experiencing homelessness alongside their pets with support and resources to gain stabilization, safe shelter, temporary or permanent housing, or provide pet-related care including, veterinary services, food, and supplies.

Services are provided using a person-centric, trauma-informed, and culturally competent lens and the priority is to keep people and pets together.

• Establish and foster working relationships and collaborations with service providers.
• Interview, assess, counsel, and provide resolution for clients in crisis situations involving pet-related issues or barriers the pets are creating toward regaining shelter, addiction and health treatment, or housing.
• Conduct assessments and apply appropriate treatment modalities through evidence-based practices, including trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, and harm reduction.
• Work in collaboration with other team members and community providers to remove barriers to permanent housing.
• Develop plans of care to meet the needs of the client utilizing person-centered, strengths-based methods.
• Ability to work independently and successfully balance time in the community with clients with the documentation requirements of the program.
• Maintain and continue partnership with Keys to Change.
• Distribution of supplies and pet food.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills and Attributes:

The Arizona Pet Project values personal accountability, compassion, critical thinking, and an ability to communicate assertively and clearly. As well as:

• Demonstrates personal accountability, compassion, and critical thinking.
• Communicates effectively, assertively, and professionally.
• Culturally competent, non-judgmental, and sensitive to diverse backgrounds.
• Aware of racial and systemic issues impacting communities of color and ability to address these in service provision.
• Flexible, self-motivated, and able to work independently in a fast-paced environment.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Work or a related human service field.
• Relevant lived experience may substitute for formal education.
• Experience working with people experiencing homelessness or crisis is highly desirable.
• Ability to work in diverse, community-based settings with empathy and cultural responsiveness.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing, and harm reduction.

Benefits:

Paid time off

Health and dental insurance

Opportunities for professional growth and meaningful community impact

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $23.08 - $24.52 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Application Question(s):

• How many years of experience do you have working with unsheltered/unhoused populations?

Ability to Commute:

• Phoenix, AZ 85007 (Preferred)

Work Location: In person