Center Mental Health Counselor

Center Mental Health Counselor

Location: Oconaluftee Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center, Cherokee, North Carolina
Job Type: Part-Time or Full-Time, Based on Contract Requirements

Position Overview

The Center Mental Health Counselor provides mental health assessment, counseling, crisis intervention, case management, and preventive services to Job Corps students, generally ages 16–24. The counselor works with the Health and Wellness team and other center staff to support student well-being, retention, and successful program participation.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct mental health assessments, intake evaluations, referrals, and treatment planning.
• Provide short-term counseling, brief therapy, mental health checks, and crisis intervention.
• Maintain accurate diagnoses, treatment plans, and clinical documentation in student health records.
• Monitor students with chronic mental health conditions and coordinate care with medical and counseling staff.
• Collaborate with substance-abuse staff on students with co-occurring conditions.
• Participate in accommodation meetings, applicant reviews, and required case conferences.
• Coordinate referrals to outside mental health providers and monitor follow-up care.
• Conduct mental health education, prevention activities, and psychoeducational groups.
• Maintain confidentiality and comply with HIPAA, privacy, infection-control, and Job Corps requirements.

Minimum Qualifications

• Active, unrestricted license to practice independently in the state where services are provided.
• Minimum 1 year of licensed experience providing assessment and treatment to adolescents and young adults.
• Maintain required licenses, certifications, and professional liability insurance of at least $1 million per occurrence / $3 million aggregate .
• Must meet background-check and drug-testing requirements, if required.
• Must be able to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team.
• Subject to required Government/DOL approval before providing services.