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Housing Support Counselor

The Center for Youth
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JOB OVERVIEW:

The Housing Support Counselor/Case Manager is responsible for providing individual and family counseling to runaway and homeless youth and their families. The Housing Support Counselor/Case Manager completes the comprehensive assessment begun by the triage/intake counselor. This assessment includes identifying any issues related to substance use/abuse, problem gambling and other risk factors that inhibit healthy youth development. An Individualized Service Plan is developed and implemented based upon the assessment and goals identified by the youth, including appropriate prevention activities. Housing Support Counselors/Case Managers then provide short-term counseling and activities that focus on resolving identified problems and/or assessing and improving the level of youth and family risk and protective factors that are predictive of substance abuse and/or problem gambling. Heavy emphasis is placed on strengthening family relationships to ensure that youth return home without further episodes of homelessness. Youth that cannot return home are provided case management support to identify and obtain safe, stable housing. Housing Support Counselors/Case Managers also provide crisis intervention, as well as, family counseling and information and referral services, as needed.
This is a full-time, 12-month position.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND EXAMPLE OF DUTIES (*Notes essential duties)
  • Direct service to runaway/homeless youth*
  • Individual and Family Counseling*
  • Assessment of substance use/abuse, problem gambling and other risk factors*
  • Crisis Intervention*
  • Referral Readiness and Referral*
  • Provide chemical dependency and gambling prevention counseling and activities that foster skill development and/or facilitate appropriate treatment referrals*
  • Case Management*
  • Youth Advocacy Case Management*
  • Maintenance of Client Confidentiality, consistent with agency policies*
  • Neighborhood and Community Outreach*
  • Accurate, Timely Case and Program Record Keeping*
  • Individual and Group Supervision Participation *
  • Staff Meetings and Training Participation*
  • Transportation of Clients, when required and consistent with agency policies*
  • Participation in Community Committees, Coalitions, Task Forces, etc. as assigned
  • Other duties, as assigned

EMPLOYMENT GUIDELINES

Candidate must:
  • Posses knowledge of and experience in providing chemical dependency and problem gambling prevention counseling
  • Adhere to ethical conduct
  • Demonstrate professionalism i.e., timely, dependable, responsible, flexible
  • Be non-judgmental and respectful
  • Model principles of inclusion and tolerance
  • Be youth centered and positive
  • Be family friendly
  • Establish effective working relationships with supervisor and co-workers
  • Develop positive relationships with all key stakeholders
  • Have strong literacy skills (i.e., reading, writing, comprehension)
  • Have excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
  • Conduct research and apply best-practices and evaluation methods
  • Effectively promote knowledge and skill development and positive behaviors
  • Provide leadership and/or work independently as requested

Candidate must possess significant knowledge of:

  • Adolescent development including: positive youth development, asset development, risk reduction and protective factors
  • Youth serving systems
  • Community resources
  • Client advocacy

CULTURAL SENSITIVITY
The Center delivers services to youth and families from many racial, ethnic, cultural, social and life style groups. We value differences in people and strive to understand diverse cultures, ethnic origins, sexual orientations, abilities and beliefs. To this end, all staff are required to attend professional development trainings and to continually enhance their understanding of cultural diversity.
Staff are expected to respect and honor cultural and human diversity. The annual Performance Appraisal provides an opportunity for staff to evaluate how they are integrating culturally competent practices into their everyday work.

QUALIFICATIONS
A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in human services, education or a related field; and 2 years experience or an equivalent combination of education, employment and life experience.

*Note: A Master’s Degree, CPP/ICPS/CASAC, advanced training in chemical dependency prevention- related areas is preferred. If candidates do not possess related certification, expectation is that active pursuit of these certifications will occur at the time of employment.

In addition to the above, it is mandatory that candidates meet the following criteria prior to hire:

  • Authorization for the agency to obtain driving record information
  • Proof of a satisfactory physical exam within the last 12 months including a PPD and annually thereafter.
  • A valid driver’s license with a driving record acceptable to agency insurance carrier
  • Regular access to a motor vehicle
  • Automobile insurance at the level of $100,000 per person/$300,000 per accident Bodily Injury and $50,000 Property Damage


PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Candidates must be able to be autonomously mobile in order to provide the required services.

COMPUTER SKILLS RECOMMENDED
Microsoft Office - Advanced
 
The Center for Youth provides equal opportunities for employment.