Program Counselor I (Pine Grove - PGYCC)

Amity Foundation•Pine Grove, CA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

Amity Foundation is seeking a Program Counselor to provide face-to-face rehabilitative programming services for its Pine Grove Youth Conservation Camp (PGYCC) project. The counselor implements project services, responds to participants’ needs, supports their strengths and personal goals while holding them accountable, and helps maintain a therapeutic environment at the YCC. The role involves serving as a consistent, confidential, collaborative, and individualized role model and treatment ally; advocating for participants within the YCC, the community, CDCR, and the county juvenile justice system; and helping participants develop their identities and connections with family and positive support communities. The counselor works in partnership with YCC staff and may participate in conflict resolution or mediation. The position also facilitates curriculum, groups and structured activities, provides individual support, communicates with staff, collects and submits data, tracks attendance, and performs additional duties as assigned.

Requirements

Counselor I must be registered with an organization approved by DHCS and obtain AOD certification within five years of the registration date.
At least 50% of Program Counselors at the YCC must have at least one year of counseling, mentoring, or teaching experience with offenders.
Other Program Counselors must meet one of the following: hold AOD certification, substance use disorder counselor certification, or Certified Peer Recovery Specialist certification; have one year of professional counseling experience in a community organization or treatment center involving treatment and recovery plans, individual and group therapy, progress monitoring, and identification of behaviors that interfere with treatment and recovery; or hold a bachelor’s degree in counseling from an accredited college or university.

Nice To Haves

CDCR prefers candidates who are formerly incarcerated or justice-involved and have demonstrated the ability to live productive, law-abiding lives since discharge from the criminal justice system.

Responsibilities

Provide effective services based on participant needs and maintain a therapeutic environment at the YCC.
Respond to and support participants’ needs, encourage their strengths and personal goals, and hold them accountable for their behavior.
Serve as a role model and develop a consistent, confidential, collaborative, and individualized treatment alliance with participants.
Advocate for participants within the YCC, the community, CDCR, and the county juvenile justice system.
Participate in YCC-led conflict resolution or mediation, as needed.
Work with YCC staff to create an overall therapeutic environment.
Support participants in developing their identities and connections with family and positive support communities.
Prepare to present curriculum and facilitate large and small groups, structured activities, and individual support.
Communicate effectively with YCC staff.
Collect and submit data and track attendance.
Perform additional duties as assigned.