Summary of Position:
The Counselor provides direct service to youth and families using a therapeutic model of counseling/training designed to reduce conflict and negative behaviors, improve communication, change thought patterns, learn acceptance and intervene with a solution-focused, trauma-informed therapeutic approach. Counselors are the agency’s primary liaisons to the community; schools, the court and other referral sources. Counselors make therapeutic decisions on a day-to-day basis with the emphasis on prevention and solutions to promote optimum health to the client under the guidance of the Director of Counseling Services.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following, and other duties may be assigned:
· Counsel clients and family members, individually and/or in-group sessions, to assist them in reaching their goals, adjusting to life and making positive changes. Able to provide cognitive behavioral therapy and trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy to youth.
· Maintain a minimum of 65% direct service hours weekly.
· Timely entry of progress notes of two business days and at month end, the deadline may be shorter due to billing requirements.
· Provide youth prevention and education groups and/or adult skills groups, including some evenings, as appropriate with community need and grant requirements.
· Provide immediate crisis intervention to youth and their families, 24 hours a day with weekly rotations.
· Complete and maintain client-related paperwork, including federal and state mandated forms, client records, progress notes and other grant and/or agency-required forms.
· Provide appropriate case management and/or referral information to youth and families as needed.
· Participates in regular supervision meetings with Director of Counseling Services to review and plan for cases.
· Attend staff meetings and in-service training as directed by Director of Counseling Services or Chief Operating Officer.
· Perform other functions in support of agency programs and activities as requested.
Minimum Education and Training:
· Required: Licensed Master of Social Work (LMSW), Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor or Associate (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist or Associate (LMFT) Licensed Psychological Associate or Psychologist.
· Experience as required by funding sources.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
· Bilingual required
· Capacity to develop effective working relationships with clients.
· Active listening skills, service oriented, using critical thinking, logic and reasoning to facilitate and guide clients in the development of skills and strategies for dealing with their problems.
· Possess and develop a body of knowledge essential to carrying out the required tasks.
· Knowledge of state laws and guidelines for counseling and child placing agencies.
· Clear oral and written communication skills.
· Exhibit professional demeanor in all interactions both intra and inter-agency.
· Computer literate and the capacity to manage multiple tasks.
Benefits:
YES to YOUTH - MCYS offers a generous benefit package for full-time employees including:
· Health insurance
· Dental insurance
· Vision insurance
· Flexible Spending Account
· Life insurance
· Simple IRA matching
· Paid Holidays
· Paid time off
· Sick Leave
· Jury Duty Pay
· Bereavement Leave
· Mileage Reimbursements
· On Call Stipend
· Working alongside a great group of passionate people and so much more!
YES to YOUTH - MCYS is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, volunteers and clients. We respect equality and inclusivity for all people and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or other marginalized identities. We respect, value and celebrate the unique attributes, characteristics and perspectives that make each person who they are.
All Staff Must:
· Adhere to the Social Work Code of Ethics and maintain and protect client confidentiality.
· Promote and demonstrate appropriate respect for cultural diversity among clients, co-workers and all work related contacts.
· Pass employment checks which include criminal background checks, past employer and reference checks, drug screening, education and licensure verification and driving record checks.
· Attend work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy.
· Maintain valid Texas Driver’s License and Automobile Insurance.
· Obtain and maintain current CPR and First Aid Certifications.
· Present a negative TB test within 10 days of original hire date and as required by grants.
· Maintain required training hours as per licensure and/or agency policies.
Position Specifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Working Conditions:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
· This job requires a high degree of mental effort due to considerable interruptions and/or frequent changes of activity or workloads during a typical day.
· The regular working hours of this job are daytime hours with five days on (Monday-Friday) and two days off (Saturday and Sunday; however, actual working days/hours may vary according to program and client needs.) The Director of Counseling Services will determine weekly schedules.
· Counselors will be required to travel in their own vehicle to and from offices, seminars, trainings, schools, and various community functions.
· Counselors will be required to occasionally be outside conducting activities with fellow employees and/or clients during special groups and/or events.
· During the crisis intervention rotation, the Counselor will be required to be available 24- hours a day, carry an agency cell phone and respond to all crisis phone calls, walk-ins at the office or runaways at Juvenile Detention Center, and/or transport youth to safe locations.
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 is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to walk; stand; climb stairs; sit; use hands to use or handle office tools and equipment, including telephone and computer; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include ability to adjust focus for work with computers and peripheral vision and depth perception for driving.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: From $60,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Retirement plan
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 8 hour shift
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
Work setting:
Education:
Experience:
- Child & family counseling: 1 year (Preferred)
Language:
License/Certification:
- license to practice counseling services (Required)
Work Location: In person