Counselor

Salary: $43.37 - $50.42 Hourly
Location : Parks- SCC Planning and Development Division/ 7727 63rd Ave NE., Suite 201 Seattle 98115, WA
Job Type: Classified Civil Service, Regular, Full-Time
Job Number: 2026-01374
Department: Seattle Parks & Recreation Department
Opening Date: 10/13/2026
Closing Date: 10/27/2026 4:00 PM Pacific


Position Description
About Seattle Parks and Recreation:

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is a national leader and innovator in the services and programs we provide to our residents who enjoy our public spaces such as parks, community centers, specialty gardens and swimming pools. Our mission is to equip employees and the public for well-being as we support healthy people, a thriving environment and vibrant community. We provide safe and accessible spaces for residents and visitors to work, recreate, rejuvenate and enhance quality of life and wellness for children, teenagers, adults and seniors. Delivering excellent customer service to all is a core value.

Equity & Inclusion

Seattle Parks and Recreation commits to advancing equity and social justice in our department and in every neighborhood by growing a dynamic and diverse workforce, developing strong investments, growth opportunities and beneficial partner strategies as we acknowledge and pledge to close disparities created by historical practices which often hindered workforce development, environmental justice, access to quality open spaces, programs and facilities.

About SCC:
The Seattle Conservation Corps (SCC) is a one-year work-training program for homeless adults. Corps Members are compensated for their engagement at the minimum wage rate. Our participants must be 18 years of age or older, able to lift 50 lbs. and homeless. Participants engage in work-training 40 hours a week by working in different areas of the city with supervisors and by receiving counseling regarding work-maturity skills from their counselor/case manager. Participants may be actively in the drug addiction/recovery process, formerly incarcerated, struggling with mental illness, in violent relationships or escaping domestic violence. Or our participants could be facing other barriers to stability. Case managers/ counselors assist clients in addressing these barriers so that they can attain and maintain employment and housing once they exit the program. In this role it is highly likely that you may encounter participants that are avoidant, procrastinating, co-dependent, aggressive, or simply unsure of their ability to face their lives as sober, stable, accountable adults. In this role you will be required to help clients recognize their barriers, understand the benefit of surmounting those barriers, and then work to remove them via the treatment plans that you create. SCC is looking for a professional social service provider that is comfortable addressing the resistance that comes with suggesting personal change to people who do not always want to change. We are looking for a social service professional who can navigate the politics of working with a revenue-seeking component of this program, Operations, that may at times wish to have a client work in the field when the case manager feels that the client should be excused to address a personal issue. This is a position that requires intensive case management on many levels.

Job Responsibilities

• Provide case management assistance to homeless adults in a one-year work-training program.
• Build and maintain a caseload of approximately 25 to 35 adults per year.
• Provide support through case management, advocacy internally as well as in the community, and face-to-face services to address barriers to housing
• Develop an individual strategy (treatment plan) for each participant that addresses barriers to housing, employment, and personal stability.
• Connect clients to community resources, including housing, health and mental health, chemical dependency, education, employment, legal support, life skills etc. One-on-One appointments can take hours and be a point of focus for days until the goal is achieved.
• Assist clients in developing problem-solving skills and positive communication techniques to promote success on the job. Case managers assist clients in developing these skills by working with their supervisors in the Operations component of this program.
• Complete and submit all documentation and grant reporting in a timely manner. Ensure all client-related data is both current and accurate in the City's data management system
• Transport participants to appointments and use this time to counsel and case manage
• Occasionally provide de-escalation and crisis intervention
• Provide services to participants in an open-door office setting which functions with or without appointments
• Build trust and rapport with clients yet set boundaries that do not allow for personal fraternizing
• Participate in weekly or bi-weekly supervision team meetings which include meetings with the Human Services Team, the upper management of the program, and all staff meetings.

• Ensure that all client-related data is both current and accurate in SCC's data tracking system and that data and files are secure
• Evaluate program participants to determine treatment needs
• Develop treatment plans and document all interactions and involving or concerning the treatment
• Maintain a high level of competence in understanding substance use disorders, mental health issues and socio-economic and cultural factors and apply a professional and therapeutic approach to problem-solving participants' needs
• In coordination with drug court housing providers and treatment case managers address recurrence of use (relapse), rule violations, problem behavior and emerging needs amongst participants who reside in drug court housing.
• Conduct comprehensive relevant assessments to determine level of programming, assess criminal history internal and external information sources and motivation for change in determining eligibility.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:
Three years social services experience involving interviewing, counseling, or crisis intervention, and a bachelor's degree in Social Services, Psychology or a related field (or a combination of education and/or training and/or work experience which provides the ability to perform the work of the class).

Desired Qualifications:

Ideal Candidates will have experience in the following:

• A minimum of five years' social services experience involving interviewing, counseling, crisis intervention, treatment plan development and implementation, behavior modification and a bachelor's degree in social services, Psychology or a related field, OR AA degree in related field and six years of hands-on experience in the job responsibilities outlined above.
• Broad knowledge of Seattle resources for homeless adults including housing, addiction, mental health treatment, and criminal justice system legal services.
• Experience in work training, human services or other anti-poverty work settings.
• Experience and understanding of the addiction and recovery process
• Strong clinical understanding of the impact of trauma.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team
• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite, data management systems or similar systems.
• Experience with de-escalation techniques

• One year of full-time hands-on case management experience working with at-risk adults in correctional or security-oriented environments, housing for at risk persons, or treatment.
• Three to five years of hands-on professional full-time paid work experience identifying, interviewing, and assessing people with behavior mental health drug and or alcohol related issues including experience working with potentially volatile clientele.

Additional Information
Please note this job advertisement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Compensation:
The full salary range for this position is $43.37 to $50.42 per hour.

Application Process

Please submit the following with your online application:

• A cover letter in which you clearly describe how your knowledge, experience, skills, and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and qualifications outlined in the job announcement
• A current resume of your educational and professional work experience.

Who May Apply : This position is open to all candidates that meet the qualifications. Seattle Parks and Recreation values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Seattle Parks and Recreation encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experiences.

Job offers are contingent on the verification of credentials and other information required by the employment process, including the completion of a background check. The background check will involve a criminal history check, which includes conviction and arrest records in compliance with the , and the A driving history review may be conducted in compliance with Applicants will be provided an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation time, 12 paid holidays, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at:
We recognize that artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as chatbots, automated response generators, or language models, can be helpful during the job search process. If you choose to use them, please carefully review all materials before submission to ensure accuracy, as you will be required to affirm that your responses are true and correct during the application process. Submitting inaccurate or misleading information may result in disqualification. Please also note that relying on AI to complete text-based supplemental questions or during interviews may not accurately represent your skills and experiences, which are critical to applicant success. In some cases, you may be instructed not to use AI tools during the selection process. Learn more about the City of Seattle AI Policy
Want to know more about Parks and Recreation? Check out our web page:


SPR's Core Competencies are:

• Accountability & Action : Holding yourself accountable for achieving goals, completing tasks, and delivering quality work. Demonstrating thoughtful initiative in actions and decision-making and promoting high quality standards.
• Equity and Inclusion : Supporting the goals of the Race and Social Justice Initiative and the City's commitment to workforce equity.
• Communication: Sharing and exchanging information and ideas with people in a variety of ways to help them understand and remember the information.
• Service : An ongoing commitment to base decisions and actions on the needs and priorities of the City.
• Teamwork: Participating as an engaged member of a team to achieve group goals. Effectively working with internal and external people to complete tasks and achieve work group goals.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.

More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: