Residential Counselor

Since 1984, Larkin Street Youth Services has helped more than 75,000 young adults in San Francisco with outreach, shelter, housing, education, employment, healthcare, and other services.

Today, Larkin Street Youth Services is the largest provider of housing and services to homeless youth in the Bay Area. We serve 1,500 youth annually, operating or partnering to provide more than 500 emergency shelter, transitional, supportive, and subsidy-based housing beds at several unique sites across San Francisco.

Working at Larkin Street, no matter what department, means making a real difference in the lives of young people experiencing homelessness. Our team is skilled, diverse, and passionate. Our culture encourages achievement and professional development, as well as teamwork and self-care. Our focus is always on the young people at the heart of our mission and to nurture potential, promote dignity and support bold steps by all.

For more information about us, visit www.larkinstreetyouth.org.

WHAT YOU'LL DO:

Under the direction and guidance of the Program Manager, you will be responsible for guiding and counseling clients in our housing programs to ensure that they are on track to meet their goals. You may provide guidance to clients one-on-one or in groups. 

This is a full-time position, eligible for full benefits.

Your responsibilities:

• Inspire and support clients to reach their goals.
• Oversee and maintain joy and safety in community spaces.
• Assist clients in understanding and overcoming social and emotional challenges.
• Collecting, organizing, and analyzing information about individuals through records, tests, interviews, and professional sources.
• Collect and share occupational, educational, and economic information to aid clients in making and carrying out objectives.
• Engage in research and follow-up activities to evaluate counseling techniques.
• In conjunction with internal resources, teach domestic and practical skills or hold group meetings.
• Collaborate with other staff members to ensure the continuum of services for the clients.
• Maintain community resources including foodstuffs (communal dinners), laundry, etc.

WORKING LOCATION:

• Any of our housing programs located throughout San Francisco. 
  • This may include sites in the Tenderloin neighborhood.
  • We have one housing site in the East Bay (Berkeley).
  • We have one licensed facility that serves clients under the age of 18. Otherwise, all of our programs serve Transitional Aged Youth (TAY), age 18-24. 

WORKING DAYS:

• Tuesday through Saturday
• Sunday through Thursday

SHIFT OPTIONS:

• DAY: 8AM to 4PM
  • As of June 2026, we are only looking for full time Swing Shift Counselors.
• SWING: 4PM to 12AM
  • As of June 2026, we are only looking for full time Swing Shift Counselors.
• OVERNIGHT: 12AM to 8AM
  • Pay differential of +$1 per hour

****PLEASE INDICATE YOUR PREFERED SHIFT(S) ON YOUR APPLICATION****

WHO YOU ARE:

• You are passionate about the Larkin Street Youth Services mission to end youth homelessness.
• You embody our values and core strategies: "This Is How We Roll":
  • Client-Centered
  • Trauma Informed Care
  • Restorative Practices
  • Harm Reduction
  • Non-Violent Crisis Intervention
  • Motivational Interviewing
• You have some experience working with Transitional Aged Youth (TAY), aged 18 to 25 of diverse backgrounds, similar to the client base at Larkin Street Youth Services.
  • *BONUS* You have experience working in shelter, transitional, and/or permanent supportive housing programs.
• You have experience noticing symptoms of use and abuse, recovery, and treatment philosophies.
• You are a self-starter and team player. Your colleagues describe you as personable, reliable, and dependable.
• You work best in a fully in-person working environment.
  • Remote work is NOT possible for this position.
• You are willing to work holidays occasionally.

THE PERKS:

• Hourly rate: $23.50-$24.54 per hour
  • +$1 for overnight shifts worked.
  • +$1.50 for bilingual incentive pay. Must be fluent in Spanish and English.
• Clipper Bay Pass - Commute for FREE!
• Choice of Kaiser and Sutter medical plans, plus dental and vision.
• Generous 3 weeks of vacation annually, plus 11 Paid Holidays and 3 Floating Holidays.
• 403(b) retirement plan with employer matching.
• Flexible spending accounts for Healthcare and Dependent Care expenses.
• Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for counseling services.
• Health Advocate Service.
• Paid Sabbatical following 5 and 10 years of employment.

Larkin Street Youth Services is an equal opportunity employer. Larkin Street Youth Service seeks qualified candidates with an interest in the non-profit sector. We are committed to embracing diversity and consider all applicants for all positions without regard to color, ethnic background, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, HIV/AIDS status, veteran status, or any other legally protected class. We encourage applicants of diverse backgrounds to apply for any open position in which they feel qualified. 

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider employment for qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. 

All City and County of San Francisco employees are required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment.  For details on how it is applicable to your employment, please click here.