Life Skills Counselor

Job Description

Job Description

Life Skills Counselor

Valley Youth House empowers and strengthens the lives of children, youth and families through inclusive programming that builds resilience and fosters growth and independence.

Position: FT - Life Skills Counselor AAINC -  ($21.60hr - $23hr)

Location: Bethlehem

The Organization:

Valley Youth House empowers and strengthens the lives of children, youth, and families through inclusive programming that builds resilience and fosters growth and independence. VYH works from a Trauma Informed / Healing centered perspective, incorporating positive youth and human development and cultural awareness into all aspects of our agency. We want our clients and staff to feel safe, have choice and voice, collaborate in a trusting environment, and be empowered to make a difference in their own lives and the agency.

Why Should You Apply?

• An extensive orientation program to ensure a smooth onboarding process.
• Competitive compensation package with paid time off (PTO) to promote work-life balance.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance coverage, including prescription benefits.
• Enroll in our 401(k)-retirement plan and enjoy a company match to secure your financial future.
• Short- and Long-Term Disability coverage for peace of mind.
• Take advantage of our pre-tax spending accounts (Health Care and Dependent Care FSA).
• Health and wellness programs to support your overall well-being.
• Referral program where you can earn rewards for bringing talented individuals to our team.
• Tuition reimbursement program to fuel your professional growth.

Essential Functions of the Life Skills Counselor:

• Successfully engage 85% of children and families in Permanency Services.
• Complete 85% or greater of all assigned SWAN units of service and ensure all services are completed in a timely and efficient manner based upon SWAN benchmarks, which are to be updated with regularity on the SWAN Portal.
• Complete units of service according to Benchmark requirements including all outreach for records, interviews, and surveys. This includes timely and multiple follow-ups on requests.

Key Functions of the Life Skills Counselor:

• Successfully engage youth/client in developing and implementing their individual goal and/or transition plan using positive youth development, trauma-informed and culturally appropriate frameworks.
• To provide 17 hours per week of direct service to program youth.
• Ensure up-to-date paper & electronic client records in compliance with program, county, state and federal regulations and private grant requirements as applicable.
• Facilitate life skills/experiential groups, as assigned, that are educational, restorative, creative, and interactive.  When not facilitating, perform supportive responsibilities as a role model and to provide a safe learning environment.

Other Duties of the Life Skills Counselor:

• Understand and adhere to Valley Youth House policies, practices and procedure.
• To participate in weekly scheduled supervision with direct supervisor and be prepared with an agenda.
• To pick up and transport goods and supplies for the program as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications of the Life Skills Counselor:

• Bachelor's Degree or related work experience.
• At least one year working with teens and/or families.

Physical Requirements of the Life Skills Counselor:

• Moving from one worksite to another and driving to see multiple youth in a day requiring getting in and out of a vehicle (This includes entering and exiting the vehicle safely, which may involve bending, twisting, and stepping): X Often.
• Light work that includes lifting and carrying objects up to 20 pounds - ability to lift and carry any necessary equipment or materials to and from the vehicle and clients' apartments: X Often .
• Ability to walk and climb stairs - Visiting clients' homes, placements, and apartments may require walking and navigating stairs, so individuals should be capable of doing so comfortably and safely : X Often.
• Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing: X Occasionally

**If eligible: Medical, vision, and prescription benefits available after the first month of hire, Vacation, Sick, and Personal Time Off, 401k -6% match, Employer-paid clearances, physical and training, Opportunities for Tuition reimbursement

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