Foster Youth Support Counselor - WestCoast Children's Clinic

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of vulnerable children in the foster care system? Join our dynamic team at WestCoast Children's Clinic as a Foster Youth (STAT) Support Counselor and be a part of our innovative, model program that offers mental health Screening, Stabilization, and Transition (STAT) services to children in Alameda County.

As a Foster Youth (STAT) Support Counselor, you will play a crucial role in a multidisciplinary team, collaborating with STAT Clinicians, an Assessment Center Manager, the STAT Assistant Program Director, Alameda County Social Service staff, and the Assessment Center Public Health Nurse. Together, we provide comprehensive care, supervision, and assessment of children aged 0-18 who enter the foster care system due to abuse and/or neglect or are transitioning to a new placement within the system.

Your primary responsibility will be to ensure the basic care and supervision of the children during their stay at the Alameda County Assessment Center. This 72-hour facility serves as a nurturing and child-friendly environment for children during this crucial period of their lives. Your support and guidance will be essential in helping them navigate through this challenging time and prepare them for their next placement.

The Support Counselor position can be full time to part time, with pro-rated benefits (based on FTE).

How the Support Counselor makes an impact:

• Actively contributes to comprehensive assessments as part of a multidisciplinary team:
  • Observes and records children's behavior and emotional states, communicating findings according to program protocols.
  • Maintains close communication with other program staff.
  • Provides timely completion of required documentation using professional language.
  • Participates in administrative meetings, group supervision, and professional development trainings.
• Provides warm, empathic support to children and conducts crisis intervention when needed:
  • Conducts intake interviews with children brought to the Assessment Center.
  • Ensures children's basic needs are met, including meals, hygiene, and sleep.
  • Accurately administers medication and monitors children's activities and whereabouts.
  • Engages children in age-appropriate activities and maintains a clean and safe environment.
• Adapts cooperatively to schedule changes and provides additional shift coverage as needed.
• Complies with all WCC policies, procedures, and deadlines.
• Collaborates with supervisors and program directors to strengthen the program's quality.
• Performs support functions like answering phones, greeting visitors, and filing.
• Undertakes additional tasks as requested or assigned.

CURRENT SHIFT NEEDS:

Day Shift, Sunday-Friday: 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Interested in applying? Here are the position requirements:

• Age requirement: Applicants must be at least 21 years old (per CCL operating requirements).          
• Bachelor's degree preferred in psychology, social work, education, child development, or related social science field. Master's degree is a plus.
• Prior experience in a residential treatment setting with children is preferred.
• Demonstrated history of excellent attendance and punctuality in previous jobs.
• Experience with developmental milestones and child development.

In addition to the above, our ideal candidate has:

• Job-related competencies: assessment, crisis intervention, accurate and timely medication administration.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Efficient time management and professional demeanor.
• Strong problem-solving and creative abilities.
• Comfortable in a multicultural/diverse environment, addressing race, class, and ethnicity.
• Able to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Familiarity with computers and proficient typing skills.

Working Conditions:

• Position involves working with children who have been traumatized.
• Position involves potential exposure to communicable diseases including the common cold, flu, and tuberculosis.
• Position requires the ability to work irregular hours, including evenings, overnight, and weekends.
• Overnight shifts are awake shifts. Support counselor must be awake and alert and able to intake children or attend to any child needs throughout the entire shift.
• Position does not involve restraining children.

Position Details and Compensation:

This is a non-exempt (hourly) position. Starting hourly rate - $23.69 (+ differential for overnight/weekend if applicable), with 10% Spanish language differential for qualified candidates. Includes benefits package, 403(b) plan, and performance-based compensation (based on FTE).

Why join us?

• Be part of a compassionate, social justice-focused team: Our inclusive Staff Affinity Groups (Staff of Color, LGBTQ+, Equity and Inclusion, Health and Wellness, etc.) promote a supportive work environment.

• Make a difference for the Bay Area's most vulnerable populations: We positively impact hundreds of vulnerable kids and families each year, creating meaningful change in their lives.

• Access a growth-oriented learning community: As a Joint Commission Accredited agency, we prioritize the highest standard of care and offer extensive clinical trainings and seminars led by field experts.

We also offer:

• Annual incentive compensation and retirement plan contribution
• 100% Employer paid medical (base plan, Kaiser HMO), dental, vision, life insurance, and long-term disability coverage for full-time employees
• Variety of medical plan options including a variety of carriers and types of plans
• 403b retirement plan with ROTH and 403b contribution options
• Flex-spending options - Medical, Dependent Care and Commuter Plans
• 15 days paid time off per year (equivalent to 3 weeks), 14 Paid Holidays, plus Self-Care Leave (additional PTO accrual with increased years of service)