Counselor II - Travis County Transformation Project (Part Time)

LifeWorks of Austin, TX is looking for a Counselor II to join our Counseling  team!

The Part-Time Counselor II provides trauma-informed, strengths-based counseling services to youth and families participating in the Travis County Transformation Project (TCTP), an innovative pre-arrest diversion initiative serving youth involved in assault family violence incidents. The counselor delivers individual, family, and crisis intervention services in community-based, office-based, home-based, respite shelter, and telehealth settings. This position works collaboratively with youth advocates, respite shelter staff, restorative healing circle facilitators, schools, juvenile justice partners, and community organizations to support youth stabilization, family healing, and successful diversion from formal juvenile justice involvement. The Counselor II promotes youth and family voice, cultural responsiveness, restorative practices, and positive youth development while ensuring timely documentation, quality service delivery, and contract compliance.

Hours: 20 hours/week. Monday- Thursday 4-8 pm and Saturdays 10-2pm. Hours may vary depending on program need and client schedules.

This part-time, non-exempt position earns a competitive rate ranging from $29.93 - $42.27/hr depending upon experience. Benefits are also included, which consist of 24 PTO days per year (accrued); 11 paid holidays per year; a premium-free employee medical plan with $100 per month HSA contribution (plus other affordable employee or family medical, dental, and vision options!); a retirement savings plan with 50% match on the first 6% of contributions, and much more!

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide individual, and family counseling utilizing trauma-informed, evidence-based, and restorative approaches.
• Provide crisis intervention, risk assessment, safety planning, and stabilization services for youth and families.
• Deliver services in home, community, office, respite shelter, and telehealth settings as appropriate.
• Support families participating in diversion services following assault family violence incidents.
• Participate in multidisciplinary case consultation and coordinated service planning.
• Coordinate closely with TCTP youth advocates, respite shelter staff, other Lifeworks program staff, Travis County partners, schools, and community providers.
• Facilitate referrals and link youth and families to additional behavioral health services as appropriate and desired.
• Represent LifeWorks and TCTP at community meetings and outreach events as assigned.
• Administers client services which may include:
  • completing assessments,
  • diagnosis, session planning and treatment planning,
  • record keeping, third party billing documentation as appropriate,
  • case management tasks as appropriate,
  • evaluation of client progress,
  • completing follow-ups with clients,
  • contacting necessary external and internal collaterals
• Incorporate restorative practices and family-centered approaches into service delivery.
• Promote healing, youth empowerment, accountability, and family engagement as appropriate throughout the intervention process.
• Maintain timely and accurate documentation in organization wide CRM in accordance with LifeWorks, funder, licensing, and accreditation requirements.
• Participate in program evaluation, quality improvement activities, and file reviews.
• Provide services in various settings during late afternoon, evenings and weekends.
• Provides or coordinates community outreach by attending community fairs and mental health-related events, providing information about program and agency services, and providing training or participating on panels regarding program, agency, or community mental health services.
• Follows licensure requirements as determined by associated disciplines and Boards.
• Follows the guidelines of oversight entities including the program, agency, funder and/or accrediting body.

ADDITIONAL ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES WORKFORCE include the following: 

• Regularly provides in-field supervision, support, and field observations to direct reports.
• Ensures program staff comply with and deliver services in a manner consistent with fidelity standards for all relevant evidence-based and/or evidence-informed models.
• Facilitates weekly team meetings.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Requires a Master's degree in Social Work, Counseling or a related field and advanced licensure such as LCSW, LPC or LMFT.
• Requires 2+ years post-graduate direct clinical experience;
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, restorative practices, positive youth development, and family systems approaches.
• Experience preferred providing counseling in facility and home-based settings.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
• Experience collaborating with schools, law enforcement, juvenile probation, or community-based organizations preferred.
• Competent in use of electronic systems such as client databases, MS Office including Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint.

CORE COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS

• Client Focus - Builds transformational relationships with clients and delivers mission-centered solutions. 
• Collaborates and Adapts - Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives and fulfill our mission; adapts one’s approach and demeanor to meet the shifting demands of different situations. 
• Honors Differences - Embraces different perspectives, cultures, and backgrounds by being open to others’ opinions, ideas, and experiences; develops an inclusive culture that creates solutions to meet the needs of our clients. 
• Nimble Learning - Actively learns from successes, failures, and others’ experiences, and shows a willingness to pivot and try new things.
• Builds Trust - Gains the confidence and trust of others through integrity, dependability, and authenticity.
• Action Oriented - Takes initiative, shows resourcefulness, and directs focus and energy on mission-critical opportunities, challenges, and changes. 

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

• Must posses or be able to obtain a valid driver's license within 30 days.
• Possess or acquire standard First-Aid and CPR Certification as required by individual program.
• Must possess one or more of the following licenses: Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT).
• Able to be Medicaid credentialed.
• Must have TX Driver’s License and Personal vehicle insurance.

ABOUT LIFEWORKS
With more than 50 years of experience working with youth experiencing homelessness, youth aging out of foster care, young adults, and young parents, LifeWorks is committed to solving youth homelessness through housing, mental health, education, and workforce services. Our vision is a Central Texas where every young person has a place to call home, a sense of belonging, and the support to pursue a life they love.  

We provide a full range of support services for vulnerable youth, ensuring that every young person has access to a safe home, the chance to heal, and opportunities to learn and work. Through innovative problem-solving, shared accountability, and evidence-based solutions, we are relentless in achieving real, sustainable, and measurable results for the clients we serve.  

A career at LifeWorks offers opportunities to grow professionally while making an immediate, lasting impact on the lives of youth and families in our community. Join us in building a future where every young person has the stability and support to thrive.