Community-Based Prevention Counselor

Center for Youth Services•City of Rochester, NY

11d•$19 - $21

About The Position

The hours for this position are generally Monday - Friday, 10 am - 6 pm. This is a full-time, 35 hours per week, 12-month position. Counselors must occasionally work outside their regular hours to meet the needs of the youth served. The pay range is $19-$21. The Community-Based Counselor is responsible for providing ongoing individual and family counseling to youth/families seeking Center services. The Community-Based Counselor will complete the comprehensive assessment begun by the triage/intake counselor. This assessment includes identifying issues related to substance use/abuse, problem gambling, and other risk factors inhibiting healthy youth development. An Individualized Service Plan is developed and implemented based on the assessment and goals identified by the youth, including appropriate prevention activities. Community Counselors then provide short-term counseling and activities that focus on resolving identified problems and/or assessing and improving the level of youth and family risk and protective factors predictive of substance abuse and/or problem gambling. The average caseload of a Community-Based Counselor is 15/20 cases. Community-Based Counselors also provide crisis intervention, family counseling, and information and referral services as needed. This position will deliver Prevention Counseling services throughout the various Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs at The Center for Youth and other community partner programs. The Community-Based Counselor will be asked to assist with Intake/Triage responsibilities and to handle crisis phone calls as needed. They are also responsible for providing community outreach and networking with other agencies/providers to coordinate client services. The Community-Based Counselors are part of a larger team of Counselors trained in youth and family group facilitation.

Requirements

Posses 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
Adolescent development including positive youth development, asset development, risk reduction, and protective factors
Youth-serving systems
Community resources
Client advocacy
Authorization for the agency to obtain driving record information
A valid driver's license and 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
A minimum of a Bachelor's degree in human services, education, or a related field; and 2 years of experience or an equivalent combination of education, employment, and life experience.

Nice To Haves

A Master's Degree, CPP/ICPS/CASAC, advanced training in chemical dependency prevention- related areas is preferred.

Responsibilities

Assessment and Intake
Individual and Family Counseling
Assessment of substance use/abuse, problem gambling and other risk factors
Crisis Intervention
Referral Readiness and Referral
Provide chemical dependency and gambling prevention counseling, groups, and activities that foster skill development and/or facilitate appropriate treatment referrals at The Center and outside agencies
Youth Advocacy
Parent Group Facilitation (research/science based curricula)
Maintenance of Client Confidentiality, 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