Youth and Family Counselor

Job Summary

This position is responsible for performing individual, family, and group counseling, as well as providing guidance and referral services. This work is proactive and involves some outreach into the community. The work requires the employee to be licensed to provide counseling services in the State of Maryland. The work is subject to general policy direction, practices and procedures, covered by precedents and general supervisory review. Employee’s assignments are planned and carried out with direct administrative supervision provided in writing and by means of conferences with the Community Services Manager.

Essential Job Functions

Provides short-term, prevention-oriented counseling to individual youth and families who are self-referrals or referred by schools, families, courts, the community, etc., because of difficulties related to their personal, social or family well-being.

Counsels clients individually, in family, or in other small groups. Counseling may be formal or informal in nature or setting.

Leads psycho educational groups for school-age children.

Utilizes evidence based modalities in client interventions.

Collects data and completes monthly and quarterly reports to the County and State.

Completes pre and post testing to determine the effectiveness of client interventions.

Ensures that client documentation is in compliance with all applicable City, County, State, and Federal laws.

Consults with parents, school staff, medical providers, etc. as needed.

Creates and submits monthly and quarterly reports detailing program activities, including data collection related to the program’s interventions.

Makes referrals to various public or private agencies and assists clients to access needed services, including health and mental health insurance.

Provides individual and community outreach and conducts client home visits as required.

Conducts evaluations of clients, and determines diagnosis, then formulates treatment plans; measures overall progress.

Responds to individual, family, school and community emergencies and provides crisis intervention and stabilization assistance, teaches problem-solving strategies and makes referrals as appropriate.

Maintains good working relationships with other City staff and local school personnel as well as other public and private agencies and groups.

Serves as resource and provides training to City staff on effectively managing disruptive behaviors.

Assists with the coordination of the City’s Holiday Drive program, including facilitating of food and toy drives.

May serve on school panels.

Leads group discussions and provides education programs in such areas as addiction prevention, parenting, suicide prevention, family problems, financial problems, dating, education, etc.

Supervises graduate interns.

Prepares reports, informative booklets, memoranda, and related correspondence.

Backs up other Community Services Division staff as needed.

Works irregular schedules as required. Often determined by the needs of the client population.

Performs other duties as required.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:
Master’s degree in social work, human services, psychology, counseling or closely related field from an accredited university or college plus five (5) years of progressively responsible work in a social service setting; or any equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Qualifications:
Must have the appropriate Maryland State License in the field (minimum LCSW or LCPC). Being fluently bilingual in English and another language is preferred. Possession of a valid driver’s license.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of social and economic problems facing youths and families and the ways these problems affect both the families and individuals.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of adolescent psychology.

Knowledge of the principles of prevention, intervention, and treatment of substance abuse.

Knowledge of community organization techniques and individual and group dynamics.

Knowledge of the operation of a wide variety of government aid, welfare, health, and recreation resources and programs.

Knowledge of evidence based therapeutic interventions.

Knowledge of trauma informed care and interventions.

Knowledge of cognitive behavioral therapy.

Skill to work effectively with representatives of other interested or affected agencies.

Ability to acquire and apply good working knowledge of relevant laws and practices.

Ability to present thoughts both verbally and in writing, to conduct interviews, and to prepare and maintain necessary records and report.