Triage Counselor

OVERVIEW:

The full-time Triage Counselor position is 35 hours per week with a pay range of $20.00- $21.00 per hour. The schedule for this position is Monday-Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm.

The Triage Counselor is responsible for providing crisis counseling and responsive care for youth ages 12-21 seeking Center services (Including Counseling, Emergency Housing and Transitional Living). The Triage Counselor completes a comprehensive assessment that identifies immediate needs as well as longer term developmental and/or treatment needs. This assessment includes identifying any issues related to substance use/abuse, problem gambling and other risk factors that inhibit healthy youth development. An initial Individualized Service Plan is developed based upon the assessment and goals identified by the youth, including appropriate prevention activities. S/he also provides crisis counseling for families, information dissemination and referral services, as needed.

The Triage Counselor handles crisis phone calls, as well as walk in clients seeking assistance. S/he is additionally responsible for providing community outreach and networking with other agencies/providers to coordinate services for their clients.

The Triage Counselors are part of a larger team of Counselors stationed at the Monroe Ave location. All Counselors are required to work evening hours occasionally, as needed.

*ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND EXAMPLE OF DUTIES (Notes essential duties):

• Triage/ Assessment and Intake*

• Assessment of substance use/abuse, problem gambling and other risk factors*

• Individual and Family Crisis Counseling*

• Crisis Intervention*

• Referral Readiness and Referral*

• Provide chemical dependency and problem gambling prevention counseling and activities that foster skill development and/or facilitate appropriate treatment referrals*

• Youth Advocacy*

• Case Management*

• Parent Group Facilitation (research/science based curricula)*

• 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

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

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.

*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

• A valid driver's license and 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

The Center for Youth provides equal opportunities for employment.