Counselor

Pace Center for Girls I Do Matter•Immokalee, FL

About The Position

At Pace, team members transform girls’ lives through academic and counseling programs grounded in a gender-responsive, strength-based, and trauma-informed framework. 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 and create a safe place for them to learn, grow, and heal. 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 role provides direct counseling and case management, supports girls and their families, collaborates with academic and multidisciplinary teams, and completes assessments, care plans, and progress documentation. A Level II pre-employment background screening is required pursuant to Florida Statutes Chapters 435, 984, 985, and 943, and Department of Juvenile Justice policy 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 complete a Level II pre-employment background screening pursuant to the specified 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 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 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 Codes 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 other extracurricular activities, maintaining a safe program environment, collaborating with outside entities and community providers, making referrals, and advocating for 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 program outcomes and the collection of data supporting girls’ change process.
Adhere to Pace Center for Girls Values and Guiding Principles and uphold the Agency’s ethical standards.
Perform other duties as assigned.