OVERVIEW: 

This position is a full-time, 12-month position with a pay range of $18.00-22.00.  The schedule is Monday – Friday: 10am-6pm.

In addition to the essential duties of a Housing Counselor and a Community Counselor, the Lead Prevention Counselor will assist with the Housing and Community files in the agency e-file system, assign cases as needed, provide support to team members in the event of Program Manager’s absence and other team lead duties as needed.  This position will also coordinate utilizing Host Home placements and facilitate youth and family support during the youth’s stay.

The Lead Prevention Counselor will carry a case-load focusing on reduction in drug and alcohol use and increase in protective factors utilizing evidence-based programs whenever possible. The case-load will be based on the need of the team and include cases from these areas:

Housing – provide individual and family counseling to runaway and homeless youth and their families. The Housing Counselor completes the comprehensive assessment begun by the triage/intake counselor. This assessment includes identifying any issues related to substance use/abuse, problem gambling and other risk factors that inhibit healthy youth development. An Individualized Service Plan is developed and implemented based upon the assessment and goals identified by the youth, including appropriate prevention activities. Housing 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 that are predictive of substance abuse and/or problem gambling. Heavy emphasis is placed on strengthening family relationships to ensure that youth return home without further episodes of homelessness. Youth that cannot return home are provided case management support to identify and obtain safe, stable housing.

Community Based – complete the comprehensive assessment begun by the triage/intake counselor. This assessment includes identifying any issues related to substance use/abuse, problem gambling and other risk factors that inhibit healthy youth development.  An Individualized Service Plan is developed and implemented based upon 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 that are predictive of substance abuse and/or problem gambling.

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

• Counseling Case File Review for monthly reports and quality assurance*
• Case Consultation to Counseling Team*
• Direct service to runaway/homeless youth*

• Individual and Family Counseling*
• Coordinate WITNYS Data Entry*
• Assessment of substance use/abuse, problem gambling and other risk factors*
• Crisis Intervention*
• Referral Readiness and Referral*
• Provide chemical dependency and gambling prevention counseling and activities that foster skill development and/or facilitate appropriate treatment referrals*

• Case Management*

• Youth Advocacy Case Management*
• 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*
• Assigns cases as needed and provides support to team members in Manager’s absence
• Transportation of Clients, when required and consistent with agency policies*
• Participation in Community Committees, Coalitions, Task Forces, etc. as assigned
• Other duties, as assigned

 

EMPLOYMENT GUIDELINES

Candidate must:

• Possess knowledge of and experience in providing chemical dependency and problem gambling prevention counseling
• Adhere to ethical conduct
• Demonstrate professionalism i.e., timely, dependable, responsible, flexible
• Be non-judgmental and respectful
• Model principles of inclusion and tolerance
• Be youth centered and positive
• Be family friendly
• Establish effective working relationships with supervisor and co-workers
• Develop positive relationships with all key stakeholders
• Have strong literacy skills (i.e., reading, writing, comprehension)
• Have excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
• Conduct research and apply best-practices and evaluation methods
• Effectively promote knowledge and skill development and positive behaviors
• Provide leadership and/or work independently as requested

 

Candidate must possess significant knowledge of –

• Adolescent development including: positive youth development, asset development, risk reduction and protective factors
• Youth serving systems
• Community resources
• Client advocacy

 

CULTURAL SENSITIVITY

The Center delivers services to youth and families from many racial, ethnic, cultural, social and life style groups. We value differences in people and strive to understand diverse cultures, ethnic origins, sexual orientations, abilities and beliefs. To this end, all staff are required to attend professional development trainings and to continually enhance their understanding of cultural diversity.

 

Staff are expected to respect and honor cultural and human diversity. The annual Performance Appraisal provides an opportunity for staff to evaluate how they are integrating culturally competent practices into their everyday work.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in human services, education or a related field; and 2 years experience or an equivalent combination of education, employment and life experience.

 

Note: A Master’s Degree, CPP/ICPS/CASAC, advanced training in chemical dependency prevention- related areas is preferred. If candidates do not possess related certification, expectation is that active pursuit of these certifications will occur at the time of employment.

 

In addition to the above, it is mandatory that candidates meet the following criteria prior to hire:

• Authorization for the agency to obtain driving record information
• Proof of a satisfactory physical exam within the last 12 months including a PPD and annually thereafter. (Applies to RHY staff only.)
• A valid driver’s license
• Regular access to a motor vehicle
• Automobile insurance at the level of $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident Bodily Injury and $50,000 Property Damage
• Access to a telephone

 

 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Candidates must be able to be autonomously mobile in order to provide the required services.

 

COMPUTER SKILLS RECOMMENDED           

Program	Skill Level
Microsoft Office	Advanced
Internet Explorer	Advanced