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Full-Time Youth Development Counselor

Employer
City Of Alexandria Virginia
Location
Alexandria, VA
Salary
$54,680.86 - $73,246.68 Annually
Closing date
Apr 7, 2023

Job Details

Youth Development Counselor

Human Services Specialist II

The City of Alexandria is located in northern Virginia and is bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington and Fairfax counties. With a population of approximately 150,000 and a land area of 15.75 square miles, Alexandria is the seventh largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Alexandria has a charming waterfront and is a unique and historic place to live and work. If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our Youth Development Counselor position.

An Overview

The Youth Development Counselor will provide individualized developmental services and family supports that promote the development of youth and increase the self-sufficiency of families through in-school and community-based evaluations, crisis intervention, supportive counseling and referral services for students and families from Alexandria City Public Schools and other community locations. Provide case management, consultative and direct services to middle and high school youth and families, in need of early intervention. Implement appropriate youth development programs; including evidence-based programs that serve to promote protective factors that promote educational success and help students resist pressure to participate in risk behaviors, including the use of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs. Tasks are performed in accordance with established policies and procedures, under supervision.

What You Should Bring

The ideal candidate should have the ability to remain calm and effective in crisis situations. Ability to work effectively with students having emotional, social, family, behavioral, alcohol/drug or other related problems. Ability to lead skills building, leadership and/or mentorship groups with youth. Ability to replicate evidence-based youth development programs. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with youth, parents, co-workers, community partners and the general public. Ability to work in a community-based setting. Ability to provide guidance and assistance to volunteers. Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with other professionals and with the general public, both orally and in writing. Ability to track and enter data accurately. Good knowledge of child and adolescent growth and development. Good knowledge of adolescent risk behaviors, including substance use. Good knowledge of area health, legal, social and other services

The Opportunity
  • Collaborate with youth serving professionals on a continuous basis for initial assessments and ongoing case consultations;
  • Assesses child and family needs and develops comprehensive plan of supports and services;
  • Actively monitors and coordinates early intervention services through face to face meetings and telephone conferences that include the family and other student support services and community partners;
  • Monitors and evaluates youth and family satisfaction with services and progress toward outcomes;
  • Advocates for youth and families’ needs by maintaining collaborative relationships with area youth serving agencies using a multi-systemic approach;
  • Provide mediation, positive youth development coaching and mentoring and referral services for school aged children and their families;
  • Lead skills-building, leadership and mentoring programs for youth and implement evidence-based youth development program(s);
  • Supervise teen employees in youth leadership programs;
  • Develop goals, objectives and evaluation plan for all activities, in collaboration with supervisor;
  • Implement national, community and school-based youth development campaigns;
  • Conducts community outreach and awareness activities on youth development topics for example, conducting presentations and meeting families at various community sites;
  • Other related duties as assigned.

About the Department

The Center for Children and Families (CCF) provides programs and services for Behavioral Health, Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault, Child Welfare & Child Protective Services, Early Childhood and Youth Development. CCF provides compassionate, collaborative and effective person and family-centered services based on best practices. Our teams support self-determination, safety, recovery and resiliency for Alexandria children and all residents affected by abuse, neglect, mental illness, intellectual disabilities and substance abuse disorders.

Minimum & Additional Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in psychology, social services, public health, guidance, or a related field; three years of experience in the provision of mental health and/or substance abuse treatment services, including some experience at the level of Caseworker; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Employees must possess a valid driver's license issued by the State of their residence.

Preferred Qualifications

Licensed or licensed eligible with the Virginia Board of Counseling as a Qualified Mental Health Professional - Adults (QMHP-A); As required for third party insurance and Medicaid reimbursement: Bachelor’s degree in human services field; At least one year of experience providing mental health services to adults with serious mental illnesses. At least one year of experience in providing psychosocial rehabilitation in a day support program. Knowledge of best practice models and recovery principles. At least one year of experience in competencies in treatment of co-occurring disorders. Fluent & Bilingual in both English and Spanish.

Notes

This position requires the successful completion of pre-employment background checks including but not limited to: FBI/Federal Records Check; VA State Child Abuse/Neglect Registry; Medicare/Medicaid Fraud Database; education/certifications; and driver’s license.

Schedule: Monday through Friday, 9:00AM - 5:30PM with occasional evenings and weekends.

Company

The City of Alexandria is an award-winning, innovative, and progressive local government that brings together elected leaders, residents, businesses, and staff to foster a thriving community.  We are an independent, full-service city, providing the services typically operated by both counties and cities in areas such as public safety, transportation, human services, parks and recreation, planning, and administration. We offer a wide range of exciting career opportunities in a variety of fields, with the resources and expertise to succeed.  In Alexandria, employees are our most important asset, and we work hard to create and support a culture that delivers excellence through the shared values of respect, integrity, teamwork and continuous improvement.

Our employees have access to excellent medical, dental, vision, life insurance and other benefits.  Alexandria provides a defined-benefit pension and offers six weeks of paid parental leave to employees who become parents through birth, adoption or foster care.

We offer a robust wellness program, interdepartmental rotation program, tuition assistance funding and professional development program that helps employees obtain the knowledge, skills, qualifications and experience to enhance their professional and personal growth.

With a population of approximately 160,000 and a land area of 16 square miles, Alexandria is the seventh largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Located on the Potomac River across from Washington, D.C., Alexandria is known for its beautifully preserved 18th- and 19th-century architecture, charming waterfront, high-tech economy, vibrant retail and restaurant corridors and diverse neighborhoods. We are a unique and historic community, and we continue to innovate for the 21st century.

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