Youth and Family Counselor

Center for Youth Services•Rochester, NY

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 Individualized Service Plans based on assessment findings and goals identified by youth. The role provides short-term counseling and activities to resolve identified problems and assess and improve youth and family risk and protective factors. A major emphasis is placed on strengthening family relationships so youth can return home without further homelessness. Youth who cannot return home receive support to identify and obtain safe, stable housing. The counselor also provides post-reunification counseling to prevent future conflict and support families whose youth routinely run away. This is a full-time, 12-month position 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. A $1,500 hiring bonus is available. The pay range is $25.00–$28.00 per hour. The role includes direct services, crisis intervention, referrals, youth advocacy, outreach, case and program recordkeeping, transportation of clients when required, and participation in supervision, staff meetings, training, and community groups. Staff are expected to respect and honor cultural and human diversity, attend professional development trainings, and continually enhance their understanding of cultural diversity.

Requirements

A minimum of a Master's degree in Social Work or a related field.
At least 5 years of related experience.
Knowledge of and experience in 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.
Strong literacy skills, including reading, writing, and comprehension.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to conduct research and apply best practices and evaluation methods.
Ability to promote knowledge and skill development and positive behaviors effectively.
Ability to provide leadership and/or work independently as requested.
Adherence to ethical conduct and demonstration of professionalism, reliability, responsibility, flexibility, and respectful, non-judgmental, youth-centered, family-friendly conduct.
Ability to establish effective working relationships with supervisors and coworkers and positive relationships with key stakeholders.
Authorization for the agency to obtain driving record information.
Proof of a satisfactory physical exam within the last 12 months, including a PPD, with annual exams thereafter.
A valid driver's license with a driving record acceptable to the agency's insurance carrier.
Regular access to a motor vehicle.
Automobile insurance coverage of $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident for bodily injury and $50,000 for property damage.
Ability to be autonomously mobile to provide required services.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provide direct services to runaway and homeless youth.
Provide individual and family counseling.
Complete comprehensive assessments and develop and implement Individualized Service Plans.
Provide short-term counseling and activities focused on resolving identified problems and assessing and improving risk and protective factors.
Strengthen family relationships and support youth returning home without further episodes of homelessness.
Support youth who cannot return home in identifying and obtaining safe, stable housing.
Provide counseling to families after youth return home and support families whose youth routinely run away.
Provide crisis intervention.
Assess readiness for 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.
Maintain accurate and timely case and program records.
Participate in individual and group supervision, staff meetings, and training.
Transport clients when required and consistent with agency policies.
Participate in community committees, coalitions, task forces, and other assigned activities.
Attend professional development trainings and continually enhance understanding of cultural diversity.
Perform other duties as assigned.