Mental Health Counselor/ Licensed Mental Health Counselor
40 hours per week, full time
Salary Scale, non-licensed: $42,182-$51,937 (8 steps)
Beginning Salary Scale, Licensed: $49,587-$61,006 (8 steps)
Bilingual pay eligible
Health Benefits Eligible

First Date Application Screening: August 10, 2018
Position Open Until Filled

About the Position
Under the supervision of the Behavioral Health Director, performs outreach, intervention assessment, counseling and case management services to children and their families; and performs other related work as is required.

About the Agency
Pajaro Valley Prevention & Student Assistance, Inc (PVPSA) has been the leader of youth prevention and intervention services in the Pajaro Valley. We believe that every young person in our community should have the opportunity to achieve their dreams. We are committed to helping them identify those dreams and support them in that quest. Our mission is to improve the quality of life of students and families in the Pajaro Valley by providing health education, prevention services, mental health services, and by advocating for public policies that protect the health of our community.

Duties and Responsibilities
• Conduct evaluations, assessments and counseling services of referred children, adolescents and their families in a school, home or community based clinic setting
• Provide client-centered counseling services focusing on the present. Listen, respond empathically and engage in problem solving. Identify symptoms and assist in self-management skills for mental illness.
• Facilitate group meetings, family meetings and individual counseling session that enhance behavioral stability for clients.
• Participate in staff meetings, in-service trainings, conferences and workshops
• Participate as a team member in case management conferences
• Maintain Medi-Cal (EPSDT) documentation inclusive of Assessments, Treatment Plans and Progress Notes in a timely manner as required by Medi-Cal standards
• Adhere to all confidentiality requirements.

Employment Standards
Knowledge of:
• Symptoms and behaviors of mental illnesses
• Basic social rehabilitation, socialization and practical life management skills
• Principles and methods of interviewing, counseling, crisis intervention and assessing psychosocial behaviors
• Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) Criteria
• Medi-Cal/EPSDT service delivery and productivity standards
• Strength based and cultural appropriate services
• School policies and procedures

Ability to:
• Work with children, adolescents and families
• Assess students behavioral and emotional strengths and challenges to make knowledgeable recommendations and/or design appropriate service plans

• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of duties
• Prepare a variety of administrative and professional reports
• Bilingual/Bicultural skills a plus and eligible for additional compensation as noted

Training and Experience
For Non-Licensed Classification:
Requires a Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Social Work, Psychology, Marriage, Family and Child Counseling, or closely related behavioral science field and be a registered intern with CA BBS; must have at least one year experience working in clinical setting. Bilingual, English and Spanish, desirable.

For Licensed Classification: Requires a Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Social Work, Psychology, Marriage, Family and Child Counseling, or closely related behavioral science field and be licensed with the CA BBS; must have at least two years’ experience working in a clinical setting. Bilingual, English and Spanish, desirable.

All positions receive clinical supervision.

Benefits:
PVPSA offers competitive benefits including Paid Time Off, Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan.

How to Apply:
If interested, please submit your resume and a cover letter via email or mail to:
PVPSA Human Resources
c/o Beatriz Collazo, Sr. Analyst
email: 335 East Lake, Avenue, Watsonville, CA 95076

PVPSA is an equal opportunity employer.