OPT Family Counselor Jobs

JOB TITLE: Bilingual Family Counselor/Case Planner, School-Based Early Support Program

JOB TYPE: Full-Time

DEPARTMENT: Family Counseling/Preventive Services

EXEMPTION: Non-Exempt

REPORTS TO: Supervisor, School-Based Early Support Program

SUPERVISES: N/A

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION: This is an excellent position for someone who wants to develop their career in social work or counseling while working with families and schools. Master's level staff can earn clinical hours toward licensure. The School-Based Early Support Program is a new preventive services model that enhances school-based partnerships. The Family Counselor/Case Planner provides counseling and case management services to families in four different partner schools in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.

I. SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES include but are not limited to

• Responsible for providing counseling and case management to 12 families across four schools in the Brooklyn School District 15 or 20
• Facilitate groups and workshops for parents and children based on the needs of families and schools
• Opportunity to learn and facilitate Families and School Together (FAST), an evidence-based multiple-family group co-led by the program, school, and caregivers
• Collaborate with school staff, program staff, and other CFL school-based staff (CFL afterschool and Neighborhood Center programs) to meet the needs of families
• Provide direct advocacy and support to connect families with needed resources
• Collaborate with the Benefits Specialist for all families to be screened and enrolled in benefits as needed
• Visit families in their homes
• Participate in outreach and engagement activities in the schools to develop relationships with families and school staff
• Assist with the coordination of school-based events
• Complete required documentation and data entry
• Attend supervision, staff meetings, and trainings, and meetings within partner schools
• Build relationships with community-based service providers and other key community stakeholders
• Collaborate with all CFL programs to ensure an integrated approach to serving families

II. QUALIFICATIONS

• High School diploma or equivalent with extensive experience working with families and groups; OR
• BA/BS/BSW with relevant experience; OR
• Master’s degree in social work or a similar human services field with relevant experience
• Candidates with an art therapy background and familiarity with the child welfare system, preferred
• Bilingual in Spanish or Mandarin required
• Experience collaborating with schools preferred
• Groupwork skills and experience preferred
• Excellent organization, communication, and writing skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools
• Ability to work 2-3 evenings a week
• Flexibility to work occasional weekend days to attend community events

III. RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHERS

• Build and maintain close, daily interactions with co-workers, supervisors, school staff, and families
• Effectively communicate with agency staff, school staff, key stakeholders, and families
• Excellent engagement skills, meeting families where they are at and forging mutual respect
• Experience or interest in learning social group work
• Have a strong sensitivity to cultural differences present among staff and clients within our organization
• Possess a strong belief in people’s ability to grow and change

IV. WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work is primarily in school and office settings in shared spaces
• Significant time is spent at a desk using a computer
• Attendance at various meetings at schools, the agency, and in the community
• Regular travel among four schools located in the school district
• Regular travel in Brooklyn, New York, to conduct home visits
• Regular evening and occasional weekend work is required
• Fast-paced, high-energy, and highly collaborative environment

V. SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY

The Family Counselor/Case Planner provides counseling, case management, and group facilitation in the context of the school community. They are essential to developing effective school partnerships through intentional engagement strategies and supporting events and activities within the schools. They are ambassadors for CFL, interacting at all times with a tone of respect and kindness, generosity, and solution-focused problem-solving.

BENEFITS

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits along with the opportunity to participate in additional voluntary life insurance, disability insurance, and a flexible spending account.
• 403(b) retirement plan, including employer match and employer non-elective contribution at the employer’s discretion.
• 12 holidays, 2 floating holidays, and up to 20 paid vacation days per year. One sick day per month.

This is a Full-time non-exempt position at 35 hours per week.

NYC Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

It is the Agency’s policy to provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. Center for Family Life in Sunset Park does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, sexual and reproductive health decisions, height and weight, color, religion, religious creed, sex, sexual and reproductive health decisions, gender, gender identity, gender expression and sex stereotyping, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, legally protected medical condition or information, family care or medical leave status, military caregiver status, military status, veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, enrollment in a public assistance program, engaging in protected communications regarding employee wages, requesting a reasonable accommodation on the basis of disability or bona fide religious belief or practice, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal laws.