Military and Family Life Counselor - Embedded (adults)

Magellan Health • Goldsboro, NC

2d • $59,922 - $100,280 • Onsite

About The Position

This position supports military members at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base as an embedded counselor assigned to a dedicated military unit. Candidates must live near the base or be willing to relocate to become local, and must hold an independent-level license as a Social Worker (LCSW), Therapist (LMFT), or Mental Health Counselor (LCHMC/LPC).

The counselor provides the full breadth of Military and Family Life Counseling (MFLC) consultation and counseling services to military service members, families, and the command structure. Services include non-medical, short-term, solution-focused walk-around counseling; assessments, brief counseling and consultation; action planning, referrals and follow-up; training and health and wellness presentations; and consultation to command regarding behavioral health issues. Services are delivered with an understanding of the military unit’s culture and mission, while maintaining client confidentiality.

The counselor works with regional supervisors and directors, installation personnel, military branch Points of Contact (POCs), commanders, and community resources to ensure services meet installation and unit needs. The role also includes maintaining daily activity records through a smartphone or web application, responding to critical incidents and urgent requests with schedule flexibility, managing duty-to-warn and restricted-reporting situations under Department of Defense protocol, and participating in supervision, training, quality improvement, contract activities, and assigned initiatives or pilot programs.

The position requires the ability to work across military installation locations and, as needed, other sites or school settings. Work may involve outdoor and uneven terrain, variable weather, travel outside an installation, and compliance with location-specific requirements. Salary range: $59,922–$100,280. The position may be eligible for short-term incentives and a comprehensive benefits package.

Requirements

• Master’s degree from an accredited graduate program in a mental-health-related field; listed required education includes a master’s in behavioral health or social work.
• Valid, unrestricted independent counseling license from a U.S. state, the District of Columbia, a U.S. territory, or commonwealth authorizing independent practice; examples listed are LCSW, LMFT, and LCHMC/LPC.
• Less than two years of post-licensure clinical experience.
• Intermediate competency with technology and software, including Microsoft Suite, internet navigation, smartphone or tablet use, applications, and video-conferencing platforms.
• Ability to engage and communicate with military members or children as assigned and respond quickly to emergent situations.
• Ability to traverse short or long distances on military installations or in school settings, including rugged, outdoor, or uneven terrain, stairs, grass, and steep inclines; ability to work in outdoor weather and other military-base conditions.
• May need to travel to locations outside a military installation in varied physical environments and comply with site-specific requirements, including immunizations or vaccinations where required.
• Ability to prove U.S. citizenship and speak fluent English.
• Understanding, sensitivity, and empathy for service members and their families; ability to develop trusting helping relationships and work effectively with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Pass a National Agency Check and Inquiries (NACI) clearance, Installation Records Check (IRC), criminal history background check, and FBI fingerprint check; some units additionally require a secret-level clearance.
• Possess a valid U.S. state vehicle operator’s license unless specifically waived by the FEDSIM COR; may be required to pass tests for and obtain a U.S. military vehicle operator’s permit for commercial sedans and similar vehicles for TDY locations.

Responsibilities

• Provide non-medical, short-term, solution-focused walk-around counseling to eligible service members and family members at assigned unit locations.
• Conduct assessments and brief counseling and consultation; develop action plans; refer clients to resources, ensure linkage as appropriate, and follow up as indicated.
• Deliver training, health and wellness presentations, and activities as requested or directed.
• Consult with the assigned command regarding behavioral health issues, taking the unit’s structure, culture, and mission into account.
• Enter counselor activity data daily through a smartphone or web application while maintaining client and service-member confidentiality.
• Build and maintain professional relationships with commanders, command POCs, installation POCs, unit personnel, community resources, and military populations.
• Maintain visibility within the assigned brigade or regiment so MFLC services are accessible, and coordinate with POCs to address unit needs while protecting confidentiality.
• Respond to critical incidents, surge needs, and special or urgent requests as directed and approved; flex the schedule when needed.
• Manage duty-to-warn and restricted-reporting situations according to DoD protocol and consult with the Regional Supervisor or Regional Director.
• Communicate with regional supervisors and participate in regular individual and group supervision, including sharing installation trends and issues.
• Participate in in-services, training, Quality Improvement committees, contract activities, initiatives, studies, and pilot programs as assigned.
• Complete applicable pilot-program certification and training, activity documentation, integration of pilot activities into non-medical counseling work, and required technology-based activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• The position may be eligible for short-term incentives.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including health, life, voluntary, and other benefits and perks supporting physical, mental, emotional, and financial wellbeing.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level