Child Counselor

SUMMARY

Provide support and advocacy to children and youth who have experienced domestic violence. Facilitate and increase the level of violence awareness, self-confidence, self-esteem, and resiliency in children, and self-efficacy of the ability to prevent relationship violence in youth. The Children’s Counselor provides support through individual therapy sessions for child survivors, as well as group counseling for children and support for parents.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Counsel children and youth of violent households and/or teens involved in violent relationships opportunities to identify and express their feelings through individual or group counseling sessions.
• Conduct intake assessments and offer safety planning, based on need, using trauma-informed approaches to gain or increase self-confidence and develop supportive interaction skills.
• Maintain files according to policy and review periodically for compliance.
• Assess clients’ needs to connect them with community groups that provide positive activities and experiences to rebuild trust between parents and children.
• Provide information and education about domestic violence to various community groups and share resources for children and youth.
• Coordinate services and collaborate with stakeholders, such as schools, community organizations, and healthcare providers, to ensure clients have access to resources to meet tangible needs. Maintain one-to-one contact with service providers to ensure comprehensive and quality referral information.
• Documentation needed for service plans, manage cases, and maintain client notes.
• Provide crisis intervention on an on-call basis, as necessary.
• Attend court hearings on behalf of clients.
• Review counseling agreement with parents and obtain required signatures before filing child’s file.
• Compile statistics and submit appropriate reports in a timely fashion
• Participate in team and staff meetings, training sessions, and provide reports to fellow staff regarding program area as necessary.
• Must serve on hotline and provide on-call crisis intervention services on a rotating basis.
• May assume other duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Professional knowledge about domestic violence preferred.
• Exceptional communication skills with children and young people.
• Ability to communicate the principles of victim advocacy.
• High level of professionalism
• Complete the PCADV state-approved domestic violence training.
• Valid driver’s license and have access to reliable transportation.

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in counseling, social work, psychology, or related field preferred.
• Previous work experience in children’s counseling or related field.
• Certificate of Licensure for the Commonwealth of PA is optimal, but not required.

CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS

1. Criminal Record Check
2. PA Child Abuse History Clearance
3. FBI Clearance
4. Megan’s Law

HOURS

40 hours a week or as required

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Sedentary work with infrequent need to stand, walk, lift, carry light objects, push and/or pull.

Ability to communicate clearly so listeners can understand.

Lift and/or move up to 25 lbs.

Work for extended periods of time using computer keyboard and looking at a screen.

Occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and smell