Posting: Children's Counselor - FirstStep

May 23, 2023

CHILDREN'S COUNSELOR

LOCATION: All First Step sites; Ability to travel between agency sites.

REPORTS TO: Counseling Program Coordinator

POSITION TYPE: NONEXEMPT Full-time, 37.5 hours/week, hourly pay

PAY RANGE: $21 - $23 / Hour

SCHEDULE: Weekdays. Some evenings with occasional oncall shift, evening or weekend required.

START DATE: July 2023


OVERVIEW

The Children’s Counselor is a valuable member of the Counseling team. The Children’s Counselor supports First Step’s mission by providing trauma-informed support to the dependent children of survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). The Children’s Counselor supports child survivors with processing trauma, emotional healing, building coping skills, and developing self-advocacy. The Counselor provides both individual and group counseling, as well as parenting education and support. First Step provides comprehensive training and supervision to all employees. First Step works hard to create a workplace that is dynamic. We encourage people with diverse identities and experiences who are excited about equity and social justice to apply


RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Engage survivors in identifying their trauma, healing needs, goal setting and processing their experiences
  • Provide age-appropriate counseling for child survivors, through face-to-face, telephone, virtual and group sessions
  • Respond to survivors in crisis at police stations, schools, hospitals and other safe locations on an on-call basis
  • Assist the sexual assault program and walk-in clients as needed
  • Meet identified client needs including information, resources and referrals to other service providers as needed, especially mental health services when needed
  • Identify barriers affecting survivors and work with or refer to advocacy services
  • Accurately maintain client records, agency database entries, service statistics and case examples for reporting purposes
  • Commitment and ability to represent the agency in various community settings.
  • Ensure agency programs and service delivery is culturally sensitive, inclusive and aware of how intersectionality and diversity impacts survivors
  • Understand and support the First Step philosophy of empowerment, education, and prevention of violence.
  • Support and carry out First Step’s mission, vision, and values

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Meet Michigan’s LARA licensing requirements for Counselors, such as holding a limited or full counseling or social work license (LLMSW/LMSW, LLPC/LPC)
  • Education or experience in crisis counseling, intimate partner violence, and sexual assault
  • Experience and ability to work effectively with people from diverse racial, economic, and cultural backgrounds
  • Capability to respond to and handle crisis situations effectively
  • Must be caring, empathetic and have a passion for working with survivors using a client-centered approach
  • Must be able to maintain professional boundaries and comply with all agency policies and procedures
  • Ability to work independently and with supervision
  • Excellent oral, written, active listening and organization skills
  • Counseling experience with children and caregivers a plus
  • Knowledge of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), traumafocused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT), and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) a plus
  • Ability to lift 30 pounds on occasion,
  • Bilingual a plus

REQUIREMENTS

Must be at least 18 years old and satisfy criminal background checks, DHHS child abuse registry check, sex offender registry check, driving check. Must have and maintain a valid MI driver’s license, excellent driving record, reliable transportation, and current auto insurance. These requirements will be re-checked throughout employment.


BENEFITS

Option for agency provided health, dental, optical insurance after 60 days. Agency provided life insurance and long-term disability insurance after 60 days. Employee Assistance Program. Additional voluntary insurance benefits available after 60 days. Employer contribution to 401k. Annual paid time off and floating holidays. Accrued paid flex time. Agency closure days off with pay.

Apply now

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