Youth and Family Counselor

OVERVIEW:

$1,500.00 HIRING BONUS AVAILABLE!

This is a full-time position at 35 hours a week, with a pay range of $25.00-28.00 per hour. The schedule for this position is Monday-Friday 10am-6pm with flexibility to meet the needs of youth and their families.

The Youth and Family Counselor provides individual and family counseling to runaway and homeless youth and their families. The Youth and Family Counselor completes the comprehensive assessment begun by the triage/intake counselor. The Youth and Family Counselor develops and implements an Individualized Service Plan based on the assessment and goals identified by the youth. This position then provides short-term counseling and activities focusing on resolving identified problems and/or assessing and improving youth and family risk and protective factors. Heavy emphasis is placed on strengthening family relationships to ensure youth return home without further episodes of homelessness. Youth who cannot return home receive support to identify and obtain safe, stable housing.

This position also provides counseling to families after the youth return home to prevent future conflict and to support families whose youth routinely run away. This is a full-time, 12-month position. 35 hours per week, Monday-Friday, 10am-6pm, with flexibility to meet the needs of young people and their families.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND EXAMPLE OF DUTIES (*Notes essential duties):

• Direct service to runaway/homeless youth*


• Individual and Family Counseling*


• Assessments


• Crisis Intervention


• Referral Readiness and Referral*


• Case Management


• Participate in the milieu management of the shelter


• Partner with shelter manager, case manager, and staff


• Youth Advocacy


• Maintenance of Client, consistent with agency policies*


• Neighborhood and Community Outreach*


• Accurate, Timely Case and Program Record Keeping*


• Individual and Group Supervision Participation *


• Staff Meetings and Training Participation*


• Transportation of Clients, when required and consistent with agency policies*


• Participation in Community Committees, Coalitions, Task Forces, etc. as assigned


• Other duties, as assigned

EMPLOYMENT GUIDELINES:

Candidate must:

• Possess knowledge of and experience in providing chemical dependency and problem gambling prevention counseling


• Adhere to ethical conduct


• Demonstrate professionalism i.e., timely, dependable, responsible, flexible


• Be non-judgmental and respectful


• Model principles of inclusion and tolerance


• Be youth centered and positive


• Be family friendly


• Establish effective working relationships with supervisor and co-workers


• Develop positive relationships with all key stakeholders


• Have strong literacy skills (i.e., reading, writing, comprehension)


• Have excellent communication skills (verbal and written)


• Conduct research and apply best-practices and evaluation methods


• Effectively promote knowledge and skill development and positive behaviors


• Provide leadership and/or work independently as requested

Candidate must possess significant knowledge of -

• Adolescent development including: positive youth development, asset development, risk reduction and protective factors


• Youth serving systems & Community resources


• Client advocacy

CULTURAL SENSITIVITY:

The Center delivers services to youth and families from many racial, ethnic, cultural, social and life style groups. We value differences in people and strive to understand diverse cultures, ethnic origins, sexual orientations, abilities and beliefs. To this end, all staff are required to attend professional development trainings and to continually enhance their understanding of cultural diversity.

Staff are expected to respect and honor cultural and human diversity. The annual Performance Appraisal provides an opportunity for staff to evaluate how they are integrating culturally competent practices into their everyday work.

QUALIFICATIONS:

A minimum of a Master's degree in Social Work or related, LMSW or LCSW preferred, and at least 5 years of related experience required.

In addition to the above, candidates must meet the following criteria prior to hire:

• Authorization for the agency to obtain driving record information


• Proof of a satisfactory physical exam within the last 12 months including a PPD and annually thereafter.


• A valid driver's license with a driving record acceptable to agency insurance carrier


• Regular access to a motor vehicle


• Automobile insurance at the level of $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident Bodily Injury and $50,000 Property Damage

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Candidates must be able to be autonomously mobile in order to provide the required services.

COMPUTER SKILLS RECOMMENDED:

Microsoft Office- Advanced

Internet Explorer- Advanced

The Center for Youth provides equal opportunities for employment.