Vocational Counselor

Outreach Development Corporation

Outreach is a non-profit organization that helps people address the issues stemming from substance use and behavioral health disorders by providing the highest quality, life-changing treatment, training and tools to build healthy lives. Our mission is to inspire individuals and families to achieve a life of unlimited potential by developing and delivering the highest quality evidence-based behavioral health services and training. For more information, please visit www.opiny.org.

Position: PT VOCATIONAL COUNSELOR – YOUNG ADULT RESIDENTIAL 

 The Vocational Counselor is responsible for the delivery of vocational/educational/guidance services to all of the adolescents in Outreach House II. The Vocational Counselor serves a member of the program’s treatment team. 

Job Scope:

1.            Completes vocational/educational comprehensive assessments and quarterly progress reports.

2.            Develops and facilitates the implementation of vocational/educational treatment plans for all clients that are consistent with agency standards and comply with applicable administrative rules.

3.            Provides individual vocational and educational counseling to adolescents to further assist them in reaching vocational and educational goals.

4.            Conducts vocational/educational group counseling.   Perform the actions necessary to start a group, including: group type, purpose, size and leadership, recruiting and selecting members, establishing group goals and clarifying ground rules for participating.

5.            Monitors the GED preparation, examination and the return to public schools.

6.            Document the vocational/educational outcome, using accepted methods and instruments.

7.            Serves as the liaison between BOCES and the clinical staff.

8.            Provide and maintain ongoing communication with all staff members via written communication as well as participation in staff meetings, clinical presentations and other unit meetings.

9.            Creates and Maintains ongoing relationships with referral sources and other Vocational/Educational agencies.

10.          Bring appropriate issues identified in vocational/educational activities to the attention of clinical counselors, social workers for appropriate therapeutic intervention.

11.          In collaboration with the House Manager, oversee the application, evaluation and training processes of job functions.

12.          Participate in Special Family Events throughout the year at Outreach House II.

Each role at Outreach has identified production and outcome goals.  These goals may be stated as a number or as an outcome within an identified time frame.  These goals are intended to provide each job holder the knowledge they need about expected performance.  Accomplishments against these goals will be a discussion point in the annual evaluation.

Qualifications

• Interacting with staff, clients, students and visitors in a courteous, professional and respectful manner that is consistent with the agency’s mission and values.
• Producing accurate, neat and thorough work.
• Prioritizing and planning work time efficiently; effectively managing competing demands and dealing with changes, delays and unexpected events.
• Understanding and consistently complies with agency policy and procedures (including time and attendance, dress code, etc…). 
• Supporting a positive work atmosphere by behaving and communicating in a manner that allows the employee to get along with clients, students, coworkers and supervisors.
• Communicating (in writing as well as orally) clearly and concisely 
• Illustrating flexibility and adaptability in role and function when circumstances warrant; (demonstrates openness to assist in needed responsibilities in evolving situations).
• Maintaining appropriate boundaries, ethics and professionalism; complying with agency, OASAS and other professional code(s) of ethics; seeking supervision when challenges arise. 
• Knowledge of educational services.  Adolescent experience required and experience in a chemical dependency setting.

Certificates & Licenses:

CRC preferred, CASAC/CASAC-T required.

Collaborates with:

Supervised by:

Position Status

This is a part-time non-exempt position. Mon 1-7p; Tues/Wed 10a-5p

This job operates in a professional office environment and outside in the field. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines. Must be able to travel among assigned sites and locations as needed. 

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of duties and responsibilities that will be required of this position and title and shall not be construed as a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any position. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Outreach is an equal opportunity employer. The agency does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, socio-economic status, marital status, national or ethnic origin, age, religion or creed, disability, or political or sexual orientation. Diversity is celebrated as a strength at Outreach.