Youth Counselor

Job Title

We are a team of professionals who imagine a world where students are equipped with the skills and knowledge to help themselves; where each student is given the professional support to overcome their unique challenges and realize their academic and personal potential. We have created a team-based approach beyond the traditional client/therapist treatment setting where we provide more than what families and their children were receiving in weekly therapy sessions. We hope to continue to make strides for individuals and their families struggling with substance abuse, mental health issues, and academic challenges. Join us and let's work together to help our youth thrive.

A Little Bit About You

You are:

• An out-of-the-box thinker who has the ability to create fun and reinforcing environments to teach skills and model behavior.
• An empathetic professional dedicated to assisting clients with learning and practicing communication skills, anger management, problem-solving and stress management while becoming involved in academic, social, recreational, and/or employment activities.
• A team player committed to creating effective partnerships with our clients and our professional staff.

You Will Help Our Youth Thrive By

• Providing one-on-one support and behavioral interventions to clients and/or their families using a team and community-based approach; planning and implementing individual and group activities that encourage the child's social and emotional growth.
• Participating in Family Team Meetings to support the client's needs.
• Providing crisis intervention as needed (including evenings, nights, and weekends). Participating in the development of appropriate crisis plans.
• Attending regularly scheduled staff meetings, community meetings, and other meetings as assigned. Interfacing with social services programs, court systems, schools, and other community liaisons.
• Being responsible for timely and accurate completion of client notes, charts, reports, and other documentation related to the treatment and progress of clients in the program per contractual standards. Documentation may include web-based, electronic, and/or paper documents.
• Participating in case of supervision on a weekly basis; discussing current caseload, documentation, and productivity; and accepting/implementing feedback and direction into direct services with clients. Maintaining regular consultation with the Family Team through weekly participation in Internal Team Meeting; and as needed.
• Maintaining the dignity and personal rights as highlighted in our aforementioned regulatory agencies by deploying clear and skilled crisis communication, evasion techniques when program participants display hostile or volatile behaviors which may cause bodily harm to self.
• Developing positive workplace relationships in accordance with Villages of California Policy and Procedures with staff and peers by offering appropriate support within a nurturing environment while maintaining a high level of professionalism.
• Attending and participating in program and all staff meetings.

What You'll Need To Be Successful In This Role

• Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology or related field required.
• One (1) years' experience working with high-risk youth preferred.
• Must maintain a valid California Drivers' License, have proof of automobile insurance and maintain a safe driving record based on Villages of California policy.
• Ability to work days, evenings, and weekends.
• Bilingual Spanish preferred.
• Proficiency in MS Office systems and ability to utilize an electronic healthcare record.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and to make decisions independently and communicate effectively when dealing with clients, families, other staff members, department heads, visitors, external agencies and community members.
• Ability to establish and consistently enforce appropriate boundaries with clients.
• Understanding of addiction, co-occurring models, and treatment modalities.
• Understanding of patient development and family systems.
• Working knowledge of the family patterns, child-rearing practices, special needs, traditions and values of the ethnic and cultural groups served by the program.