Youth and Family Counselor

Center for Youth Services•City of Rochester, NY

9d•$25 - $28

About The Position

The Youth and Family Counselor provides individual and family counseling to runaway and homeless youth and their families. The counselor completes comprehensive assessments begun by the triage/intake counselor and develops and implements an Individualized Service Plan based on assessment findings and the youth’s goals. The position provides short-term counseling and activities to address identified problems and assess or improve youth and family risk and protective factors. The work emphasizes strengthening family relationships to help youth return home without further episodes of homelessness. For youth who cannot return home, the counselor supports them in identifying and obtaining safe, stable housing. The counselor also provides counseling to families after a youth returns home to prevent future conflict and supports families whose youth routinely run away. This is a full-time, 12-month position scheduled for 35 hours per week, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with flexibility to meet the needs of young people and their families. The stated pay range is $25.00–$28.00 per hour, and a $1,500 hiring bonus is available.

Requirements

Master’s degree in Social Work or a related field.
At least 5 years of related experience.
Knowledge of and experience providing chemical dependency and problem gambling prevention counseling.
Significant knowledge of adolescent development, including positive youth development, asset development, risk reduction, and protective factors.
Significant knowledge of youth-serving systems, community resources, and client advocacy.
Adhere to ethical conduct and demonstrate professionalism, including being timely, dependable, responsible, and flexible.
Be non-judgmental and respectful, model inclusion and tolerance, and maintain a youth-centered, positive, and family-friendly approach.
Establish effective working relationships with supervisors and coworkers and positive relationships with key stakeholders.
Have strong literacy skills, including reading, writing, and comprehension, and excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Conduct research and apply best practices and evaluation methods.
Promote knowledge and skill development and positive behaviors effectively.
Provide leadership and/or work independently as requested.
Meet the agency’s requirements for authorization to obtain driving-record information.
Provide proof of a satisfactory physical exam within the last 12 months, including a PPD, and obtain an exam annually thereafter.
Hold a valid driver’s license with a driving record acceptable to the agency’s insurance carrier.
Have regular access to a motor vehicle.
Maintain automobile insurance of $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident for bodily injury and $50,000 for property damage.
Be able to move about independently to provide required services.

Nice To Haves

LMSW or LCSW preferred.
Advanced Microsoft Office skills recommended.
Advanced Internet Explorer skills recommended.

Responsibilities

Provide direct services to runaway and homeless youth.
Provide individual and family counseling.
Conduct assessments.
Provide crisis intervention.
Assess referral readiness and make referrals.
Partner with the shelter manager, case manager, and staff.
Advocate for youth.
Maintain client records consistent with agency policies.
Conduct neighborhood and community outreach.
Complete accurate and timely case and program record keeping.
Participate in individual and group supervision.
Participate in staff meetings and training.
Transport clients when required and consistent with agency policies.
Participate in community committees, coalitions, task forces, and similar groups as assigned.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Provide counseling to families after youth return home and support families whose youth routinely run away.
Attend professional development training and continually enhance understanding of cultural diversity.