Community Counselor (300070)

Lutheran Services Florida (LSF) envisions a world where children are safe, families are strong, and communities are vibrant.

LSF is looking for a talented Counselor who wants to make an impact in the lives of children and families.

The schedule for this role is flexible!

Purpose & Impact:

The Counselor provides services to youth and families by providing short term, community-based counseling and case management in the home, school, and community.

The impact this position makes in the lives of youth and families is gratifying. Your role in this position is to assist these families in need of services and help guide them where necessary.

Essential Functions:

• Assist in the provision of individual, group, and family counseling to youth and their families within the home and communities of the clients.


• Provide crisis intervention counseling to families in crisis, as assigned.


• Assist in the completion of comprehensive assessments of families in crisis.


• Provide front end prevention for at risk youth and families.


• Perform case management duties and be accessible via pager to assigned clients on a 24-hour basis.


• Provide direct support to client families in implementing their case plan through constructive, active participation in family life.


• Teach and assist parents in meeting the physical, mental, and emotional needs of their children.


• Maintain an active caseload as assigned.


• Assist in the coordination of other community-based services to advocate the needs of clients on the caseload.


• Assist in the provision of appropriate referrals for clients and assist in linkage to those referrals as necessary.


• Maintain professional communications and teamwork as appropriate contacts occur with the referral agency.


• Serve as advocate for family preservation/unity.


• Assist in the provision of follow-up monitoring and services to families on closed case status.


• Attend staff meetings, supervision sessions, and inter-agency staffing on clients as required.


• Compile required reports on families in caseload and submit to supervisor in a timely manner, including progress notes, reports to appropriate agencies (e.g., DJJ & C & F) and courts as the needs dictate.


• Adhere to professional standards and ethics.


• Serves as a referral liaison by presenting agency services to schools and community agencies and organizations.


• Perform other duties as assigned.

Physical Requirements:

Possess a valid Florida driver’s license and be able to use own vehicle to perform job duties in emergencies. Ability to travel locally and out of local area in the execution of professional duties and for training/conferences. Must be able to work long flexible hours.

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in human services and other requirements as may be required by the grant source.

Experience:

One or more years' experience working with troubled youth and their families.

Skills:

• Good written and verbal communication, time management, organizational and interpersonal leadership skills. Ability to function in a team setting, and professionally serve a diverse multi-cultural client population.


• Dependability, discretion, and good judgement are essential. Must possess the ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with co-workers and the general public. Must be able to function in the community without the presence of direct supervision. Must be able to maintain high level of professional responsibility in reporting activities, conduct and schedule to supervisor.

Other:

• This position offers flexibility with your schedule, allowing you to work various shifts throughout the week to meet client needs. Create your own schedule to meet with families and complete necessary documentation.


• There is occasional remote work with this position. Although you are required to come into the office weekly, there is flexibility where you would be able to complete documentation remotely.


• The impact this position makes in the lives of families is gratifying. Your role in this position is to assist these families in need of services and help guide them where necessary.


• Visitations to family homes, schools, court visits, are all compensated with our mileage reimbursement benefit.

Principle Accountabilities:

• Reports to Clinical Director.


• Team player with co-workers, administrators, and school personnel.


• Innovative delivery of counseling services and referrals.


• Provision of accurate case records.


• Adherence to Agency policies and procedures.

Why work for LSF?

LSF offers 60 programs across the state of Florida serving a wide range of populations in need. Mission Driven staff members become part of the LSF community while transforming the lives of those in need. Our staff additionally find growth opportunities as they explore areas of interest within the organization.  

Amazing benefits package including:

• Medical, Dental and Vision


• Teladoc (24/7 online access to doctors)


• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)


• Employer paid life insurance (1X salary)


• 13 paid holidays + 1 floating holiday


• Generous PTO policy (starting at 16 working days a year)


• 403(b) Retirement plan with 3% discretionary employer match OR 3% student loan repayment reimbursement


• Mileage reimbursement


• Tuition reimbursement

Lutheran Services Florida embraces diversity, equity and inclusion in all business practices. LSF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.