Evening Triage Counselor

OVERVIEW:

The Evening Triage Counselor is responsible for providing crisis counseling and responsive care for youth ages 1221 seeking Center services (Including Counseling Emergency Housing and Transitional Living) during the hours of Monday Friday 12:00 pm 8:00 pm. The Counselor completes a comprehensive assessment that identifies immediate needs as well as longer term developmental and/or treatment needs. This assessment includes identifying any issues related to substance use/abuse problem gambling and other risk factors that inhibit healthy youth development. An initial Individualized Service Plan is developed based upon the assessment and goals identified by the youth including appropriate prevention activities. This position also provides crisis counseling for families information dissemination and referral services as needed.

The Evening Triage Counselor handles crisis phone calls as well as walkin clients seeking assistance. The Counselor is additionally responsible for providing community outreach and networking with other agencies/providers to coordinate services for their clients. Additionally the Evening Triage Counselor will provide supervision mentoring and support to Volunteer Phone Counselors. The Evening Triage Counselor will conduct training for new Volunteer Phone Counselors as well as group meetings for all the Volunteers Phone Counselors. This is a fulltime 12month position.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND EXAMPLE OF DUTIES:

Triage/ Assessment and Intake

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

Individual and Family Crisis Counseling

Crisis Intervention

Referral Readiness and Referral

Provide chemical dependency and problem gambling prevention counseling and activities that foster skill development and/or facilitate appropriate treatment referrals

Youth Advocacy

Case Management

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

Provide supervision and training for all phone volunteer counselors

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 nonjudgmental and respectful

Model principles of inclusion and tolerance

Be youth centered and positive

Be family friendly

Establish effective working relationships with supervisor and coworkers

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 bestpractices 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 Bachelors 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 Masters 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 have a valid drivers license with a driving record approved by insurance carrier regular access to a vehicle and automobile insurance at the levels of $100 000 per person/$300000 per incident Bodily Injury and $50000 Property Damage

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

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