Youth Alternatives Family Counselor

Family Counselor

JOB TITLE : Family Counselor

CLASSIFICATION : Exempt

DEPARTMENT : Youth Alternatives

SUPERVISOR : Director of Youth Alternatives

SALARY : $52,906 to $63,487 annually

GENERAL JOB DESCRIPTION

To provide family counseling, suicide assessments, prevention, and follow-up services for youth and families; to coordinate services with Emergency Rooms, in-patient facilities, schools and other community agencies;

to oversee and participate in all work activities; and to perform a variety of technical tasks relative to assigned areas of responsibility.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide counseling services for families and youth.
• Provide suicide assessments, prevention, and follow-up services for referred youth and their families
• Provide emergency counseling and crisis resolution services.
• Facilitate referrals from community agencies and families and coordinate services with referrals.
• Match family and youth needs with appropriate services at Youth Alternatives or make knowledgeable referrals to other community agencies.
• Assess family, youth and situation for safety and mandated reporter concerns. Take steps to ensure safety and report to Department of Family Services any reportable concerns.
• Assess appropriateness of mentor match. Assist in making the match. Supervise and support match.
• Maintain client records and ongoing treatment planning documentation.
• Prepare clear and concise reports.
• Prepare analytical and statistical reports on services and activities.
• Stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of juvenile counseling

SECONDARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Attend and participate in professional group meetings; serve on designated community agency committees and boards.
• Perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of current best practice procedures and approaches related to family counseling and assisting suicidal youth and their families
• Operations, services and activities of a juvenile counseling program
• Modem and complex principles and practices of counseling, crisis intervention and family systems theories
• Pertinent Federal, State and local laws, codes and regulations
• Interpret and explain City policies and procedures
• Prepare clear and concise reports
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including City officials and the general public
• Maintain mental capacity which allows the capability of : Making sound decisions Demonstrating intellectual capabilities

QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE JOB

Required :

Must have a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in clinical psychology, marriage and family therapy, social work, or a related field.

Bachelor degrees may be considered if accompanied by certification as a Social Worker or Certified Mental Health Worker from the Wyoming Mental Health Professions Licensing Board.

Must possess either a provisional or regular Wyoming license as a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Social Worker, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Licensed Addiction Therapist, Certified Social Worker, or Certified Mental Health Worker.

Applicant must be able to pass a complete criminal background check which includes fingerprinting and child abuse registry.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for making observations, communicating with others, reading, and writing.

The employee is also required to maintain physical condition necessary for operating assigned equipment, walking, standing, kneeling, repeated bending or sitting for prolonged periods of time.

Working Environment :

Indoor working environment; irregular working hours; exposure to stress.