JOB DESCRIPTION

The Counselor II - Outreach will be responsible for working with homeless individuals with psychiatric disabilities in various settings such as: on the streets, shelters, hospitals, and jail. In addition, with collaboration with other providers, such as law enforcement, county personnel, etc. will identify homeless and mentally ill persons and work with them throughout the MCHOME enrollment process. The ideal candidate will have the ability to arrange client’s medical, mental health, shelter, income/benefit needs during this process, as well as work closely with other homeless service providers to best ensure the client’s needs are met as they seek to transition out of homelessness.

WHO WE ARE

Looking to make a difference? Our mission at Interim is to provide services and affordable housing to supporting members of our community with mental illness by building productive and satisfying lives in a world in which people with mental illness are able to live, work, learn and participate fully in the community. Join our team and instill hope in the community.

WHAT WE OFFER

An exceptional benefit package including; Medical/Dental/Vision/403(b) retirement plan and Life Insurance. Offers competitive Vacation and Sick time.

HOW TO APPLY

To learn more about Interim and to apply for this position, please go to our website at http://www.interiminc.org/employment/.

REPORTS TO

Program Director, Outreach Coordinator

QUALIFICATIONS

Required: High School Diploma or GED.

Preferred: B.A. in related field. One year of work experience in mental health and/or substance use disorder field. BA in related field may be substituted for experience. Lived experience as a consumer or family member is also valued, along with a combination of education and years of work experience in mental health or related field. Good written and oral English communication skills, word processing and data entry/retrieval skills preferred; ability/willingness to learn computer skills required, ability to work as a member of a team, to accept supervision, to maintain appropriate boundaries while working in close interpersonal relationships. Ability to learn and apply principles of social rehabilitation, Client Centered and trauma informed services. Ability to be organized, responsible, flexible, empathic and able to relate effectively with clients, other staff, professionals and members of the community. Knowledge of community resources desirable.

Drivers license for at least two years and driving record acceptable to insurance carrier.

Valid California driver's license; auto in safe operating condition; auto liability insurance; good driving record; criminal record clearance; proof of authorization to work in the United States as required by Immigration and Reform Act of 1986. Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Evaluate and provide services for individuals identified as homeless and having a psychiatric disability.

2. Coordinate services, arrange appointments, and provide assistance with: obtaining benefits, food, clothing, shelter, and other personal items.

3. Provide client-centered, trauma-informed supportive counseling focusing on the present. Listen, respond empathically, and engage clients in a solution-focused approach. In tandem with clients, identify strengths, barriers, and mental health or substance use symptoms. Assist clients in self-management skills. On-going assessment for risk factors such as suicidality, violence, and frequency of substance use. Identify, assess, and respond to crisis situations. Set clear limits, ensuring client & staff safety.

4. Work closely with the Program Director in identifying appropriate clientele, services provided, and moving clients to/thru the assessment process for possible enrollment into the MCHOME program or to provide appropriate referral elsewhere.

5. Establish and maintain linkage with other agencies, including Mental Health, psychiatrists, primary care physicians, Case Coordinators, homeless and housing providers, social security and with other community resources, and self-help groups. Attend relevant meetings with community providers, as directed by the Program Director.

6. Maintain legible, accurate, and timely documentation.

7. Participate in the On-Call rotation, providing crisis support and emergency coverage for Counselor II staff.

8. Identify mental illness and substance use symptoms and assist clients with developing symptom management skills.

9. Teach and assist clients with practicing mental illness/substance use relapse prevention and independent living skills.

10. Establish and maintain linkage with other agencies and services, i.e. psychiatrists, primary care physicians, Case Coordinators, homeless and housing providers, and social security and other benefits.

11. Facilitate family meetings and/or house meetings, and social events, as appropriate.

12. Participate in staff meetings: Communicate and collaborate with other staff related to clients’ needs and program, agency and other business.

13. Other duties as assigned by Outreach Coordinator or Director.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to: operate a motor vehicle; climb stairs; possess good communication skills; meet the requirements of the classification and have mobility, vision, hearing and dexterity levels appropriate to the duties to be performed. Capable of the following extended activities: standing, sitting, bending and climbing stairs. Capable of the following extended activities: standing, sitting, bending, and climbing stairs; lift 25 pounds or more; capable of the intermittent activities, i.e. lifting bags of groceries, bending to clean, assisting in moving client’s belongings.

COVID-19 VACCINE

If a conditional job offer is presented, the incumbent will need to show proof of being fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine and booster as a requirement for employment at Interim. Accommodations for disability and religion-based reasons will be evaluated in compliance with the law.

This job description is intended to have an accurate reflection of the qualifications and job duties; current management reserves the right to revise the job at any given time when circumstances change. This job description replaces all previous description for this position.

Interim, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer.