Location
Description
THE POSITION:
Under the general supervision of the Youth & Family Services Clinical Supervisor and the Community Services Manager, the Intervention Counselor provides crisis intervention, individual and family counseling; identifies appropriate referral services to youth, families and individuals.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS:
Intervention Counselor is a journey-level professional classification. Incumbents perform the full range of counseling duties within the Community Services division. Incumbents in this position receive occasional instruction as new or unusual situations arise. The Intervention Counselor is distinguished from the Clinical Supervisor in that the latter is responsible for overseeing clinical work, providing direct supervision to clinical staff and interns, responsible for ensuring counselors follow professional guidelines, establishes processes and procedures for the clinical side of the division, researches and provides appropriate training, and is the primary liaison with the school district and police department in regard to referrals, counseling, and crisis support. While the Intervention Counselor provides direct counseling, run group counseling and workshops, and provides intervention services and supportive tools and resources to clients.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
Duties may include but are not limited to the following:
- Provide individual, family and group counseling to children, adolescents, and adults using a variety of therapeutic and counseling techniques.
- Provide crisis intervention services around a variety of issues including: incorrigible youth/status offenders, child/adult abuse, domestic violence, trauma, individuals experiencing mental health issues, and families in conflict; may conduct visits at homes, schools, and juvenile detention centers.
- Conduct assessments to identify appropriate resources, provide referral services and connect clients with additional services as needed.
- May receive, process and track all incoming case management, outreach, and counseling referrals as needed.
- Represent the City of Union City in the name of AC Probation, Centro de Servicios, Tiburcio Vazquez, Malabar House/Eden Counseling Services, NHUSD school administrators – principals, teachers, student services staff, UC Family Center, Fremont Resource Center, (Fresh Lives for Youth (FLY), Filipinos Advocates For Justice (FAFJ), MidPen Housing, Bay Area Community Health (BACH), Safe Alternatives To Violent Environments (SAVE) to continue to develop and maintain relationships with these social welfare agencies and organizations.
- Prepare and give presentations to youth, parents and community members.
- Conduct outreach to promote programs and services.
- Generate and maintain appropriate records, client files, and accurate statistical/monthly reports.
- Participate in weekly and monthly department and community meetings, trainings, and workshops as necessary.
- May provide guidance and clinical support to non-clinical staff who engage with clients.
- Develop and implement new processes and procedures as needed.
Ideal Candidate
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:
Any combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
Master’s degree in Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Clinical Social Work, Psychology, Human Development or a closely related field
AND
One (1) year of experience providing crisis counseling, counseling/psychotherapy to individuals, families or youth.
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATES:
Possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s License with a satisfactory driving record.
Possession of a current Licensed Marriage Family Therapist (LMFT) or Clinical Social Worker (LCSW); or registered, licensed eligible Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT) or Associate Social Worker (ASW).
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of:
- The theory and principle of human development, particularly child development.
- The social aspects of mental and emotional adjustment, including normal and abnormal behavior.
- Principles, methods and trends of social casework.
- Principles and techniques of crisis intervention and family therapy, which includes interviewing techniques and treatment modalities.
- Child abuse trends and treatment.
- Community resources in the mental health and human services area.
Ability to:
- Perform crisis intervention dealing with problems of a psychiatric or crisis nature.
- Establish effective and productive relationships with clients.
- Establish cooperative working relationships with law enforcement, school personnel, and other social service providers across a variety of settings.
- Work independently to make sound decisions and remain focused under potentially stressful conditions.
- Produce various reports including statistical reports and maintains records as necessary.
- Work varied hours like evenings and weekends and may be on 24-hour call for emergency call outs.
WORKING CONDITIONS, ADA AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS:
The City of Union City is an equal opportunity employer. The City of Union City will comply with its obligations under the law to provide equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities.
Positions in this class typically require: sitting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.
Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work.
Incumbents generally work in a typical office environment with adequate light and temperature.
Travel: Positions in this class may require local and statewide travel as necessary.
Benefits
Retirement: CalPERS enrollment in one of the following retirement formulas, dependent on the individual’s eligibility, as per AB 340: 1) 2.5% @ 55 (Class Employees – Tier 1; Employee Rate 8%), 2) 2% @ 60 (Classic Employees – Tier 2; Employee Rate 7%), or 3) 2% @ 62 (PEPRA; Employee Rate 8.75%). The City does not participate in Social Security therefore there are no Social Security tax deductions (except 1.45% Medicare).
Life Insurance: Premium is paid by the City. Life insurance and AD&D is equal to $100,000 each. Long-term and short-term disability insurance premium is shared by the City and employee. Additional voluntary supplemental life insurance is available.
Medical/Dental: The City provides up to $2,000/month to purchase medical, dental and vision benefits.
Leaves: 8 hours of sick leave/month with no limit on accumulation; 10 days of vacation per year for the first three years of service; 12 paid holidays per year plus 24 hours floating holidays.
Other: Educational Reimbursement for approved coursework; 9/80 work schedule, with alternate Fridays off. Deferred Compensation Plan available.
Special Instructions
APPLICATION PROCESS:
First batch of applicants will be reviewed by September 5, 2024, then reviewed every three (3) weeks afterwards.
The selection process may consist of, but limited to one or more of the following components:
- Screening for Best Qualified
- Supplemental Questionnaire
- Written Exam
- Performance Exam
- Oral Interview
Resumes may not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.
Applicants who are invited to continue in the selection process will be notified by e-mail. Successful candidates’ names will be placed on an employment eligibility list. The eligibility list will remain in effect for a minimum of one year from the date the list is established. Additional vacancies that occur for this classification may be hired from the list.
As part of the application process, you may be requested to furnish certain criminal history.