Counselor

Counselor

Position Summary
The Counselor manages assigned student caseloads to deliver comprehensive case management services to ensure each student successfully acclimates to the Job Corps program, develops short-, mid-, and long-term career goals, and is provided with personal and career counseling to improve employability skills and successfully complete the program.

Essential Functions
1. Complete comprehensive intakes of each student within 48 hours of enrollment in compliance with the Job Corps Policy and Requirements Handbook (PRH) Chapter 3 to identify needs and inform the delivery of supportive services.
2. Maintain a confidential counseling file for each assigned student and secure files in accordance with PRH Chapter 6 and Appendix 601 to ensure privacy.
3. Conduct ongoing, scheduled, career and personal counseling sessions with assigned students to assist in their social adjustment, determine interventions and support services needed to overcome personal issues and barriers, manage their career development and assess and remediate transitional support needs.
4. Document individual counseling sessions in the confidential file using the standard RAP format (Reason, Action, Plan) in compliance with the PRH.
5. Enter regular career development progress notes in the Job Corps Case Notes system using the RAP format. Ensure that private student information is reserved for the confidential counseling file.
6. Monitor assigned students’ career plans and pathway achievement records (PARs) and document updates in Job Corps information systems including Case Notes.
7. Regularly review assigned students’ schedules and make changes as needed to ensure the balanced pursuit of academic and career technical training and auxiliary classes are assigned that are appropriate to individual student goals.
8. Lead the evaluation of student progress (ESP) process for assigned caseload to ensure each student receives ongoing evaluations at least every 60 days and the career management team (CMT) conducts a formal evaluation prior to students’ entry to the career development period (CDP) and career transition period (CTP) in compliance with the PRH. Include an accommodations plan review as part of each evaluation as applicable. Update the student’s Case Notes after each evaluation.
9. Assess and refer students to internal and external resources for additional support as needed such as mental health, substance abuse, and assault prevention services.
10. Perform regular classroom and dormitory visits to check on student progress and establish meaningful working relationships with the staff.
11. Maintain communication with center staff and community-based organizations to facilitate student progress and wrap-around services and support.
12. Lead group support sessions as assigned by management to identify and address specific issues in a supportive environment such as relationships, childcare, abuse, healthy living, cultural barriers, etc. 13. Regularly share progress information with the parents/guardians of minors to assist students in successful program completion.
14. Assist students to request personal and career related Leaves in collaboration with the Center Records department in compliance with guidelines established in PRH Exhibit 6-1. Ensure that all documentation and verification required by PRH Exhibit 6-1 is acquired prior to submitting the Leave for approval.
15. Daily assist with locating students in unauthorized absence (UA) duty status and support them to return to the Center to avoid premature separation from the program. Document all UA contact attempts in Case Notes daily.
16. May utilize GSA vehicles to transport students to off-site learning and employment opportunities, appointments, and as needed for retrievals and other center-related needs.
17. Participate in department meetings and all mandated PRH and Strategix training.
18. Maintain accountability of staff, students, and property and adhere to safety practices.
19. Promote a harassment-free environment.
20. Utilize information systems and handle student data in strict adherence to Job Corps and Strategix policies to protect student’s personally identifiable information (PII) and reduce network security threats.
21. Adhere to and model Strategix servant leadership culture values: Honor Others, Inspire Vision, Choose Integrity, People First, Balance Focus with Flexibility, Serve with Humility, and Innovate and Disrupt.

Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may be requested to perform other reasonable related duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor and other management as required. The company reserves the right to revise or change job duties as business requirements dictate with or without notice. It is mutually agreed that the job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. It is also understood that the company reserves the right to change work schedules as required, including overtime.

Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, operate a computer, hand-held learning device and other office equipment, reach with hands and arms, and must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision capabilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and peripheral vision.

Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to outdoor weather conditions ranging from cool in Winter to extreme heat in the Summer and Fall months, and occasional poor air quality. The noise level can vary from moderate to loud.

Qualifications

Minimum
Bachelor’s degree (including 15 semester hours of social services-related instruction) and one year’s experience in counseling or related field. High level of conflict-resolution skills. Effective relationship-building skills with students and staff. Information technology proficiency including MS Office. Unless waived by management, a valid driver's license in the state of employment with an acceptable driving record is required.

Preferred
Two years’ experience in counseling or related field and two years’ experience working with youth.