Senior Counselor

Wheeler•Hartford, CT

48d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Counselor provides comprehensive, short-term, home-based services to families involved with the Department of Children and Families (DCF). The role supports families in strengthening safety, stability, and functioning, with the goal of preventing out-of-home placement. The counselor receives training and supervision in engagement, assessment of overall child well-being, and intervention implementation. Services include psychoeducation, parenting support, case management, community-resource linkage, and crisis stabilization. The Senior Counselor is part of a multidisciplinary team and collaborates with DCF, schools, and community providers. The position is based in Hartford, Connecticut, and is full time. It includes a $4,000 sign-on bonus, with half paid upon hire and half after one year of service. The hourly rate is $23.08. Services may be delivered in the office and in community settings such as homes, schools, hospitals, institutions, and other locations. The position requires schedule flexibility to meet client needs and participation in rotating on-call coverage when required by the program.

Requirements

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, Counseling, or a related field.
Previous experience working with client populations with mental health and/or co-occurring substance use disorders.
Effective time-management skills.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Valid driver's license.
Ability to safely operate a vehicle in the community, based on program needs.

Responsibilities

Develop case management plans or plans of care and provide direct case management and coordination of care tailored to each client and family, including interventions that support treatment completion, build on strengths, and improve functioning.
Submit and review documentation as required by the program.
Provide front-line crisis support by phone, in homes, and in the community as needed; assess concerns, adapt guidelines appropriately, and consult with a supervisor.
Use assessment findings and client or family strengths to determine appropriate processes, methods, and courses of action.
Provide group, individual, and family counseling with appropriate supervision, and coordinate treatment with internal and external providers and family supports.
Maintain records of counseling, care coordination, team meetings, and case management, and complete medical-record documentation within required timelines and in accordance with applicable Medicaid, licensing, and regulatory requirements.
Apply knowledge of psychopathology, crisis theory, behavioral health concerns, and relevant intervention approaches, including skill building, safety planning, parenting skills, and high-fidelity wraparound care.
Support daily program operations and, when appropriate, transport clients to appointments or service linkages.
Deliver evaluation, treatment, wraparound team facilitation, follow-up, and case management in office and community settings, maintaining a flexible schedule based on client needs and program requirements.
Provide or support safety planning and crisis intervention, including clinical emergencies, with appropriate supervision; participate in rotating on-call coverage to support 24-hour client availability when required.
Participate in developing, implementing, and facilitating initial treatment plans or plans of care, transition plans, and timelines for strategies and next steps.
Understand levels of care, referral processes, and resources, and make clinically appropriate referrals in a timely manner.
Meet direct-service productivity goals and follow program, department, and agency guidelines, target outcomes, practice standards, and data-collection and reporting protocols.
Identify potential risk factors and reduce risks in the home through appropriate supervision, reinforcement of safe and positive behaviors, and trauma-informed, relationally based interventions.
Attend and prepare for supervision, team and staff meetings, and rounds; seek additional consultation when needed and follow supervisory direction.
Communicate effectively and positively with clients, families, and internal and external providers.
Continue developing cultural knowledge and understanding of the history, traditions, values, family systems, and artistic expression of groups served, and use culturally informed methods and approaches.