Youth at Risk Counselor

Location(s)

Job Description

Job Title:  Advocate for Youth at Risk

Supervisor/Department Head:  Corps Commanding Officer

Grade:                   Exempt: Y or N
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Job Summary: 

The Youth at Risk Counselor serves to provide direct counseling services to students in local elementary and middle schools who have been assessed to be at risk by their school administration/faculty team.  The Counselor serves as the direct link between The Salvation Army Northside Corps and both the local school counselor/teacher as well as parent and/or guardian as well as the young person himself/herself.  The counselor will also be directly involved in linking the persons in his/her caseload to the full gamut of Salvation Army ministries at the corps.  The Counselor will take on added responsibilities in an envisioned Youth Center which is in primitive stages of development.  This will be with a view to developing and providing a continuum of services to the student in the Army facility itself.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Give oversight to all components of Youth at Risk Counseling Program.
• Maintain weekly counseling caseload with students from local elementary and middle schools (currently serving seven schools)
• Provide intervention and support to multi-problem, academically challenged youth.
• Maintain current contacts with school representatives.  This will include teacher consultations, working with school counselors to identify students who might be potential candidates etc.
• Complete all required paperwork and maintain case files including written narratives and reports to C.O.
• Communicate with parents/guardians of clients.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement seasonal (summer) small group activities/recreation promoting social skill building and providing and environment for mentoring
• Responsible for recruitment, application,  processing of summer campers for Camp Allegheny from client/contact base
• Responsible to process client family applications for Seasonal Social Services Assistance and substitute for Caseworker when necessary
• Give input to development of Youth Center with a particular view toward implemented extended services within the Center itself including extended counseling and tutoring sessions
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Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Use of personal vehicle (mileage reimbursed).
• Skills to work cooperatively in school and family environment
• State/Childline/FBI clearances

Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree in Educational Counseling
• Outreach experience with schools, families and youth preferred
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Salvation Army Mission Statement

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church.  Its message is based on the Bible.  Its ministry is motivated by the love of God.  Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

I have read and understand the job description set forth above. I agree to carry out the responsibilities associated with the position.  Furthermore, I have read and will work in accordance with the mission statement set forth above.

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Employee Signature        Date         Officer/Manager   Date