Counselor

Pace Center for Girls•Immokalee, FL

23d•$55,000 - $57,000

About The Position

At Pace, team members transform girls’ lives through academic and counseling programs based on a gender-responsive, strength-based, and trauma-informed framework, creating a safe place for girls to learn, grow, and heal. The Counselor provides prevention services to girls, including social-emotional support, intensive care (case) management, crisis counseling, and psycho-educational groups. The role aims to help girls decrease risk-related behaviors. The position is full-time, 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Starting salary is $55,000–$57,000. The position requires a Level II pre-employment background screening under applicable Florida statutes and Department of Juvenile Justice policies and procedures.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university, majoring in Social Work, Psychology, Mental Health, Counseling, or a related field.
Minimum of three years of prior experience.
Knowledge of case management practices.
Excellent individual, group, and family counseling and crisis management skills.
Proficiency in computer skills, database management, and/or office software.
Current Florida driver’s license.
Must pass a Level II pre-employment background screening pursuant to applicable Florida statutes and Department of Juvenile Justice policy and procedures.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Social Work, Psychology, Mental Health, Counseling, or a related field, with a minimum of one year of prior experience.
Knowledge of laws relating to children and families.
Experience working with at-risk youth.
Experience working in a multidisciplinary team.

Responsibilities

Increase girls’ resiliency and protective factors by improving relationships, increasing self-efficacy, and encouraging self-advocacy.
Assess and address girls’ needs and strengths through holistic assessment, goal setting, and care planning.
Use the Transtheoretical Model of Change, considering trauma history and leveraging girls’ strengths.
Provide bi-weekly counseling services using guidance, support, collaboration, skill acquisition, and psycho-educational services.
Provide girl-centered psycho-educational groups focused on social-emotional and life-skill development.
Provide monthly family support and counseling with caregivers to encourage girls’ progress and work with natural supports.
Use solution-focused counseling to address risk factors for substance abuse in accordance with Florida Administrative Code Chapter 65D-30.
Provide crisis intervention as warranted, including family support, peer mediation, classroom support, and coordination of risk assessments.
Provide care (case) management, including transportation when needed, field trips and extracurricular activities; maintain a safe program environment; collaborate with outside entities and community providers; make referrals; and advocate for needed resources.
Provide strength-based behavior modification and ensure appropriate use of the Growth and Change System, including de-escalation of girls and caregivers when needed.
Partner with the academic team to ensure holistic, cohesive care.
Participate in care review meetings and educate the care-planning team using a multidisciplinary framework.
Collaborate with the intake team to support program enrollment decisions.
Document progress and complete assessments, screening tools, care plans, and transition plans.
Contribute to programmatic outcomes and collect data to support girls’ change processes.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Adhere to Pace Center for Girls’ values, guiding principles, and ethical standards.