Family Counselor

Alternative Family Services•San Leandro, CA

2d•$24 - $25

About The Position

Ready to make a positive impact in the lives of children, youth and families? Join our team as a Family Counselor at the Gathering Place. As a Family Counselor you will provide a safe, comfortable, and family-friendly environment where referred parents and children who have been separated can complete their visits and receive a range of services including therapeutic, supervised, and observed visitation. The Gathering Place Family Counselor works with children and families involved in the child welfare system within the Dependency Investigation Unit. As a Family Counselor, you are responsible for promoting positive parenting skills and supporting families during supervised and observed visits. This is a full-time opportunity to work with a dynamic team. The Gathering Place is a collaborative project between Alternative Family Services (AFS), Alameda County Social Services Agency, and Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services. The Gathering Place is committed to maintaining family attachments during the difficult period of separation. It offers a continuum of services that eliminates obstacles to visitation while promoting positive family interactions. Alameda County Department of Child and Family Services’ goals for families are to increase timely reunification and reduce re-entry rates into the child welfare system. About Alternative Family Services Alternative Family Services is a Foster Family, Adoption and Mental Health Agency that has been serving abused and neglected children in our community since 1973. Our mission is to support vulnerable children and families in need of stability, safety, and well-being in communities. We provide a wide range of foster, adoption, mental health and transition-aged youth services in English and Spanish. We have eight locations throughout the Bay Area and over 200 employees. We celebrate diversity, equal opportunity, and excellence.

Requirements

Associates Degree or related experience working in the field of child welfare preferred
Understanding of family dynamics, child and adolescent development
Able to drive and transport children into a variety of community settings using a personal vehicle that is maintained in safe working order
Valid California driver’s license with an acceptable driving record, auto insurance showing as an insured driver on the policy and vehicle registration
Experience with diverse populations needed
Agree to work on cultural competency as it relates to the diverse client population served
Obtain and maintain fingerprint and government background clearances
CPR/First Aid certification
Able to read and write fluently in English
Able to clearly communicate verbally and in writing
Able to meet the specific linguistic needs to the target population
Able to maintain a professional demeanor in a stressful environment
Able to interact calmly and professionally with clients who may act out due to behavioral disabilities and their parents
Able to interact with co-workers as part of a cooperative team
Work with minimal direct supervision and able to manage time and prioritize workload
Possess a high level of integrity, honesty and strong work ethic
Excellent organizational and detail skills

Nice To Haves

Experience in foster care, residential or group home care desirable

Responsibilities

Supervise and monitor visits with children and families
Provide a variety of interventions to promote positive parenting skills. This may include, but is not limited to, coaching, skill building and supportive feedback
Submit written documentation of visitation to CPS workers according to Agency protocols and expectations
Transport children to and from visits
Drive into a variety of community settings using a non-agency owned vehicle in safe working order
Will be required to work in either the Oakland or Pleasanton office
Provide emergency response; evenings and weekends may be required
Ensure compliance with HIPAA privacy practices
Adhere to our attendance and punctuality policy
Assume other duties as assigned by supervisor

Benefits

IRS standard mileage reimbursement
Generous Sick Time accrual
Medical
Dental
Vision
Chiropractic & Acupuncture
Flex-spending options
Life and disability insurance
403(b) option
Over 7 weeks time off annually! (11 vacation days the first year – accruals starting on your 1st day and progress up to 20 days a year! 12 paid holidays including your birthday off & 12 sick days annually!)
AFS makes substantial monthly contributions on your behalf to keep out of pocket premiums at an all time low!