Prevention Counselor

The hours for this position are generally Monday - Friday, 10 am - 6 pm. This is a full-time, 35 hours per week, 12-month position. Counselors must occasionally work outside their regular hours to meet the needs of the youth served. The pay range is $18-$20.

The Community-Based Prevention Counselor is responsible for providing ongoing individual and family counseling to youth/families seeking Center services. The Community-Based Counselor will complete the comprehensive assessment begun by the triage/intake counselor. This assessment includes identifying issues related to substance use/abuse, problem gambling, and other risk factors inhibiting healthy youth development. An Individualized Service Plan is developed and implemented based on the assessment and goals identified by the youth, including appropriate prevention activities. Community Counselors then provide short-term counseling and activities that focus on resolving identified problems and/or assessing and improving the level of youth and family risk and protective factors predictive of substance abuse and/or problem gambling. The average caseload of a Community-Based Counselor is 15/20 cases.

Community-Based Counselors also provide crisis intervention, family counseling, and information and referral services as needed. This position will deliver Prevention Counseling services throughout the various Runaway and Homeless Youth Programs at The Center for Youth and other community partner programs.

The Community-Based Counselor will be asked to assist with Intake/Triage responsibilities and to handle crisis phone calls as needed. They are also responsible for providing community outreach and networking with other agencies/providers to coordinate client services. The Community-Based Counselors are part of a larger team of Counselors trained in youth and family group facilitation.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND EXAMPLE OF DUTIES (*Notes essential duties):

· Assessment and Intake*

· Individual and Family Counseling*

· Assessment of substance use/abuse, problem gambling and other risk factors*

· Crisis Intervention*

· Referral Readiness and Referral*

· Provide chemical dependency and gambling prevention counseling, groups, and activities that foster skill development and/or facilitate appropriate treatment referrals at The Center and outside agencies*

· Youth Advocacy*

· Parent Group Facilitation (research/science based curricula)*

· Maintenance of Client Confidentiality, consistent with agency policies*

· Neighborhood and Community Outreach*

· Accurate, Timely Case and Program Record Keeping*

· Individual and Group Supervision Participation *

· Staff Meetings and Training Participation*

· Transportation of Clients, when required and consistent with agency policies*

· Participation in Community Committees, Coalitions, Task Forces, etc. as assigned

· Other duties, as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

A minimum of a Bachelor's degree in human services, education, or a related field; and 2 years of experience or an equivalent combination of education, employment, and life experience. Valid driver's license is required.

Note: A Master's Degree, CPP/ICPS/CASAC, advanced training in chemical dependency prevention- related areas is preferred.

The Center for Youth provides equal opportunities for employment.