Community Counselor

About the Organization:

St. Catherine’s Center for Children is a leading non-profit organization in New York’s Greater Capital District. Our comprehensive range of human services reach more than 1,000 children, 600 families, and hundreds of adults across Upstate New York each year. Our multi-faceted programs are designed to offer hope, foster growth, and improve the lives of the children, families, and adults we serve. We offer 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 employs more than 300 full and part-time staff. Our spectrum of services for children, families and individuals suffering from the lasting effects of abuse and neglect, family instability, mental illness, homelessness and other ongoing traumas, continues to grow. We are committed to cultivating a culture where all employees can bring their authentic and best selves to the workplace. Our DEI-B initiatives are designed to support and build a more equitable, inclusive and diversified workplace, one which exemplifies true respect and dignity.

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 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.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• 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.
• Other position-related duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Position Requirements:

• 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.
• Must have a clean and valid New York State Driver’s License; and be actively licensed for at least one (1) year.
• Local travel is required to provide youth services; therefore, it is essential to have 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.
• Ability to work flexible hours to accommodate client schedules which may include some early evening hours.
• Must possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to pass required pre-employment background checks, to include fingerprinting.

What We Offer*:

• Competitive Pay with an Excellent Benefits Package
• Health Insurance options: Medical, Dental and Vision
• Generous Combined Leave Time and LOADS of PAID Holidays!
• $500 Employee Referral Bonus*
• Professional Development & Career Growth Opportunities
• We are a 501(c) (3) agency, which is a qualifying employer for eligible staff under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program*
• Pension Plan with Aggressive Agency contribution
• Life Insurance – Automatic Benefit, at no cost to you!
• Paid Training* including TCI and CPR/AED/First Aid Certification Update courses, if role appropriate
• Tuition Reimbursement*
• Travel/ Mileage Reimbursement*
• Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging
• The Comfort of a Business Casual Environment.

*To qualify, certain conditions may apply

EEO Statement: St. Catherine’s Center for Children is committed to creating a diverse environment and are 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 and pregnancy, family history and genetics, disability, age, military status, veteran status, politics, or other beliefs, and any other characteristics protected by law.

Background Checks: We run a thorough and complete pre-employment background check on all candidates being considered for a position, this includes fingerprinting. All candidates must successfully clear the pre-employment background check process, which follows NYS/DOJ requirements. We pay for all pre-employment background checks!