Behavioral Health Counselor

Job Description

Job Description

ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW

East Bay Agency for Children’s (EBAC) mission is to improve the well-being of children, youth, and families by reducing the impact of trauma and social inequities. EBAC strives to reduce barriers that contribute to disparities in wellness for socio-economically disadvantaged and racially marginalized families and to create communities where all children and families have support systems to reach their full potential.

EBAC was established in 1952 when a group of parents of children with special needs wanted to give their children the same educational and recreational opportunities that contribute to the physical well-being and social growth of all children. From this was born the first day-treatment program west of the Mississippi and was the foundation of growth in meeting the needs of children and families living in Alameda County.

Today, EBAC’s programs serve over 4,500 children, youth and families throughout Alameda County each year with the goal of giving each child and family the specific resources, skills, and support they need to help them thrive. For more information about our organization, please visit

JOB DESCRIPTION

Our Counseling Enriched Program Behavioral Health Counselor provides individual and group interventions in classroom activities for severely emotionally disturbed children in special day classrooms throughout various school districts. Working together with district teachers and Instructional Aides, the Behavioral Health Counselor plays a critical role in providing daily, intensive, therapeutic and trauma-informed services to vulnerable children/teens.

Position Reports To : Program Director

QUALIFICATIONS

1. College degree (BA or BS) in the field of psychology, counseling psychology, sociology, or social work, and demonstrated professional experience in social services and behavioral health settings preferred. High school/GED diploma required.
2. Previous experience in milieu treatment or classroom education setting highly desirable.
3. Ability to work with a multi-disciplinary team.
4. Able to connect with youth and engage them in conversations, arts, crafts, music, sports and/or games highly desirable
5. Energetic, positive, and playful highly desirable.
6. Spanish Bilingual Highly Desirable

COMPETENCIES

1. Leadership Skills: Strong leadership skills and presence preferably in an organization serving diverse populations including providing trauma-informed and culturally relevant mental health and/or social services. Flexible, energetic, and outcomes-oriented self-starter who brings a creative approach to solving problems, while inspiring others to do the same.
2. Relational Skills: Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively engage in relationship with a diverse set of stakeholders.
3. Communication Skills : Exceptional oral and written communication skills, including the demonstrated ability to compose documents and present data in a clear and concise manner to appropriate personnel, including the ability to effectively present information to a variety of audiences.
4. Organizational Skills : Strong organizational/time management skills; ability to multi-task in a fast-paced and often stressful environment, familiarity with Google Calendar/Gmail/Google Drive highly desirable; demonstrated flexibility in regards to job duties and assignments.
5. Values Alignment : Commitment to EBAC’s mission, vision and values and a demonstrated affinity for EBAC’s target population.
6. Content Specific Expertise and Experience: Demonstrate knowledge and experience in working with county mental health and school systems. Special Education, day treatment and milieu experience preferred. Experience providing culturally responsive and trauma-informed care to children, youth and families in community mental health.

RESPONSIBILITIES (Those with an asterisk are essential duties.)

1. *Assist client in the management of disruptive, assaultive, and dysregulated behavior. Provide crisis intervention utilizing multiple therapeutic behavior interventions without physical restraints
2. *Complete daily documentation on clients including therapeutic notes, functional behavior and positive support plans, incident reports. Record progress notes and other charting requirements as necessary in a timely manner.
3. *Help client manage program transitions including to and from buses if applicable.
4. *Cooperate with teaching staff while supporting therapeutic supports in the classroom.
5. *Carry out specialized group and individual activities with client.
6. *Participate in staff meetings; trainings; and treatment planning and clinical reviews.
7. *Consult with Program Director, Clinicians, and classroom staff on individual client's progress.
8. *Participate in overall program development as member of treatment team. Maintain program supplies as appropriate to specialized projects such as therapeutic drumming, play therapy group sessions, field trips, Expressive Arts and Skills groups.
9. Some driving of clients to and from home/school, other community activities Other duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS and JOB SETTING

1. Work is primarily in a classroom or office
2. Work is directly with SED clients who can at times become aggressive. Therefore, full mobility is required for standing walking, sitting, using hands, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling
3. Complete training in nonviolent crisis intervention as needed and provided by the agency
4. Noise levels may be high at times.
5. Periodic lifting up to 25 pounds is required.

BENEFIT INFORMATION

EBAC offers a uniquely generous PAID time off package including up to 15 paid Holidays a year, generous vacation accruals for eligible employees; and an outstandingly comprehensive benefits package that includes:

1. Medical, Dental and Vision insurance. Full time employee only coverage is free of charge for certain Medical and Dental coverages.
2. Multiple options of Mental Health Care supports and services.
3. Chiropractic and Acupuncture benefits included in Medical plans.
4. Employer paid Basic Term Life/AD&D insurance; employee paid voluntary life insurance and AD&D (for employee, spouse and children if choose to elect).
5. Accident, Critical illness and Hospital Indemnity coverage ( for employee, spouse and children if choose to elect ).
6. Tax deferred FSA (flexible spending account) for Health Care and/or Child Care; commuter benefits for Transit and/or Parking expenses.
7. 403b retirement program with an up to 4% Employer dollar to dollar Match after 1 year of employment.
8. Prepaid Legal Consultation and Identity Theft Protection insurance.
9. Pet Insurance to care for the four-legged family member(s).
10. ScholarShare 529 Savings Plan for higher education expenses for the beneficiary includes employee, child or another family member, etc.