Community Counselor, CFTSS - HYBRID

COMMUNITY COUNSELOR - CFTSS (HYBRID)

Full Title: Community Counselor, CFTSS

Location: Albany, NY 

Program: CFTSS

Type: Full-time; Non-Exempt (hourly) 

Pay Range: $25.50 - $28.56

Schedule: Monday-Friday 9am-5pm or 10am-6pm with flexibility as needed

Notes: Hybrid (office/remote) position; Local Travel: a Clean Valid NYS Driver’s License and reliable vehicle required.

Job Ref. #: 0408

About St. Catherine’s Center for Children

St. Catherine’s Center for Children is a non-profit organization located in the Greater Capital Region of New York. We offer a wide array of human services designed to meet the needs of vulnerable children, families and adults, including residential and therapeutic foster care programs for children and youth, Kinship support, homeless and community-based services for adults and families, a special education elementary school for ages 5-13, and so much more. 

St. Catherine’s is committed to cultivating a culture where all employees feel safe to bring their authentic and best selves to the workplace. We are invested in fostering an equitable, inclusive and diversified workplace; collaboratively embracing mindfulness, relevance, respect and solidarity.

Position Overview 

Within the Community Counselor position, you will be facilitating the service called Community Psychiatric Support Services (“CPST”) within the Child and Family Treatment Support Services Program (“CFTSS”). The youth in this program have been identified, or are at risk of developing mental health, substance abuse, or developmental challenges. This service is intended to improve their health and well-being while maintaining them in their homes and communities. CPST services are goal oriented and utilize solution-focused interventions intended to address challenges associated with a behavioral health need and to achieve identified goals or objectives as set forth in the child’s treatment plan while being in accordance with CFTSS regulations. Activities provided under CPST are intended to assist the child/youth and family/caregivers to achieve stability and foster improvement in daily living, personal recovery, resiliency, family and interpersonal relationships, school relationships and create community integration.

This support service is also aimed to help the youth’s family or caregivers manage the daily challenges of parenting a child with mental health and/or behavioral needs. Services in part are provided for 20 hours and are delivered in the youth’s home, school, or other community settings, and are always goal-directed based on the individual needs of that youth and family. Oftentimes, the service delivered by the Community Counselor will be in conjunction to other services being delivered to the youth and family. As such, Community Counselor staff must work in a coordinated manner with both agency and outside providers.

Requirements & Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social work, psychology, or in related human services field, plus one year of applicable experience; OR 
• Bachelor's Degree in social work, psychology, or in related human services field AND 2 years of applicable experience in children’s mental health, addiction, foster care/child welfare/juvenile justice, and/or a related human services field. 
• Local travel is required to provide youth services; therefore, it is essential to have a clean and valid New York State Driver’s License; actively licensed for at least one (1) year, with a reliable (fully-insured) vehicle with proof of 100/300 liability coverage.
• Ability to safely transport young children, which may include lifting and carrying a young infant and/or toddler; as well as ability to utilize a car seat.
• Ability to work flexible hours to accommodate client schedules, which may include some early evening hours.
• Knowledge of community resources is highly beneficial.
• Proficiency in various computer applications: Microsoft Office Suite, Google Business Workspace Suite, and use secure Internet practices.
• Self-motivated and engaged, with a strong attention to detail; Excellent writing aptitude.
• Capacity and openness to work with populations from culturally diverse and economically disadvantaged backgrounds, including but not limited to a broad range of people with various developmental and functional levels.
• Have a professional record of integrity, proven reliability and dependability; with qualities of positivity, flexibility and adaptability to day-to-day changes with client needs and functioning.
• Capable of exercising ethical, independent judgment and discretion, and handle sensitive data with strict confidentiality.
  

*Staff in driving positions must be able to meet the agency’s minimum requirements of our insurance policy for authorized drivers; including, but not limited to the minimum age of 21 at time of hire, and the ability to maintain insurability throughout employment.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Engage directly with youth and families in their home and community to provide 1-1 teaching, coaching, psychoeducation, and rehabilitative counseling to build the skills and capacities of a youth struggling with mental health and developmental challenges. 
• Provide services as identified on the youth’s Treatment/Service Plan following the specific frequency, scope, and duration while being in accordance with Child and Family Treatment Support Services (CFTSS) regulations.
• Regular and ongoing communication with other providers and family to advocate for a youth’s needs, mental health wellbeing and any non-healthcare needs (ex. housing, employment, social support).
• Timely and accurately document the delivery of services in an electronic health record.
• Local travel required to provide the services in the youth home, school, or other community settings.
• Maintain a positive, strength-based and person-centered approach at all times.
• Additional position-related duties and responsibilities as assigned by the supervisor.

What We Offer You**

At St. Catherine’s Center for Children, we believe in taking care of the people who take care of our community. We offer competitive compensation alongside a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, wealth, and professional growth:

Financial Security & Future Planning

Health & Well-being

Professional Growth & Culture

**Please note: To qualify for specific benefits, certain terms and conditions may apply.

Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) Statement

St. Catherine’s Center for Children is deeply committed to creating a diverse, inclusive environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, reproductive health, pregnancy, family history, genetics, disability, age, military status, veteran status, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

If you would like to learn more about our agency or one of our many programs, please visit our website at: www.st-cath.org