FFSP Child Counselor

Commander, Navy Installations Command•San Diego, CA

About The Position

Serve as a Clinical Counselor for children within Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC), Family Readiness Division (N91), Fleet and Family Support Program (FFSP) (N914). The position assesses and counsels children in families referred to the Family Advocacy Program (FAP), including children affected by allegations of child abuse or neglect and domestic abuse. The counselor conducts clinical and psychosocial assessments, crisis intervention, safety planning, and short-term non-medical counseling; coordinates treatment and referrals; and provides case management for problematic sexual behaviors in children and youth (PSB-CY). The role also supports community education, liaison activities, quality assurance, documentation, and consultation with military and civilian agencies. The position may require on-call duty outside normal work hours.

Requirements

Master's degree or doctorate in Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, Counseling, Clinical Psychology, or a related field from an accredited institution in a U.S. state.
Current and valid state clinical license permitting independent practice as a health practitioner; must meet and maintain Tier II or Tier III SECNAVINST 1754.8 requirements.
Must be state licensed for at least two years.
Must remain current in continuing education credits or units required to maintain licensure.
Professional knowledge and skill in working with children, adolescents, parents, and families in situations involving child abuse, neglect, or domestic abuse.
Knowledge of family violence dynamics and skill applying the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders to identify family violence, conduct risk assessments, and coordinate safety planning.
Knowledge of counseling approaches and group dynamics to address serious cases involving individuals and families who engage in at-risk behavior.
Knowledge of abusive behavior patterns, abuse response, substance abuse, human behavior, human sexuality, attention deficit disorder, and juvenile delinquency within families, to support assessment and treatment planning.
Knowledge of human behavior, research methods, group dynamics, motivational psychology, developmental psychology, and family systems therapy principles and processes to recognize risk factors associated with child vulnerability, family adversity, and modeling of coercion or sexuality; ability to use anatomically correct language when discussing bodies or behaviors.
Expertise in professional verbal communication to present sensitive or controversial information, interview FAP-involved individuals and family members, collaborate with law enforcement, child protective services, and medical treatment facilities, and deliver presentations.
Written communication skills and knowledge of software and Navy/DoD information systems to prepare correspondence, case management and treatment documentation, reports, training plans, and multimedia presentations, and to document and account for FAP and PSB-CY services.
Knowledge of community resources for PSB-CY and skill coordinating community responses, services, and referrals for affected children, youth, and families.
Proof of U.S. citizenship or U.S. national status.
Valid state driver's license required to operate motor vehicles.
Must successfully pass E-Verify employment verification; discrepancies must be resolved as a condition of employment.
Must meet federal suitability requirements, successfully complete a background investigation, and obtain and maintain a Secret Security Clearance (T3).
Must comply with pre-employment requirements and scheduled appointments; a tentative offer may be rescinded if requirements are not met.
May be required to serve on-call outside normal work hours.
Must remain drug-free throughout federal employment.

Responsibilities

Conduct clinical and psychosocial assessments of children in families referred to FAP for child abuse, neglect, or domestic abuse allegations, including alleged victims, other children in the home, and witnesses to domestic abuse.
Conduct comprehensive clinical assessments, identify crisis situations, and provide crisis intervention and safety planning as needed.
Use counseling approaches such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, play therapy, and family therapy to help children cope with emotional and behavioral concerns related to trauma.
Coordinate assessment findings and collaborate with other professionals on treatment planning for children and parenting issues.
Present case information, including safety risks and plans, at Clinical Case Staff Meetings.
Coordinate with military offices, community services, and specialized clinical providers to arrange accessible, tailored services for children and families.
Consult on selecting or developing group treatment curricula for children and parents.
Coordinate or provide in-service training for FFSC staff on child abuse, neglect, and trauma.
Conduct on-site or regional quarterly quality assurance reviews of cases as directed by a supervisor.
Serve as designated case manager and primary FAP point of contact for PSB-CY cases, ensuring compliance with DoD and Navy instructions and civilian reporting requirements.
Receive initial reports of problematic sexual behaviors in children and youth.
Provide or coordinate access to psychoeducation, assessment, and clinical intervention for children, youth, and families involved in PSB-CY cases.
Complete required assessments and documentation, including clinical notes, collateral contacts, treatment plans, and statistical data, in the DoD Military Community and Family Policy PSB-CY Case Management System.
Schedule and account for PSB-CY appointments and meetings in the automated FFSP management information system.
Prepare case summary reports and maintain ongoing contact for PSB-CY cases.
Facilitate FAP training and education about the continuum of sexual behaviors, risk pathways, indicators and impacts of PSB-CY, and available services.
Promote public awareness and prevention, and collaborate with the Public Affairs Office to distribute information, plan community activities, or brief military units.
Provide assessment and short-term, solution-focused non-medical clinical counseling to eligible children, parents, and families within the authorized scope of FFSP clinical care.
Refer children for behavioral health follow-up when symptoms or psychological disorders require longer-term or behavioral health intervention.
Conduct quarterly quality assurance reviews of non-medical clinical counseling cases as directed by a supervisor.
Schedule, account for, and document counseling appointments and meetings in the automated FFSP management information system; maintain case records and statistics in accordance with Navy policies and regulations.
Attend community liaison meetings to establish or strengthen relationships with agencies serving the target population.
Educate and provide case-specific consultation to Navy military and civilian agencies.
Maintain complete and timely records and workload statistics for community liaison activities using required forms and automated systems.
Testify at juvenile court, family court, and military legal hearings regarding children, as appropriate.
Perform other related duties as assigned.