Program Counselor I - (PGYCC) - Amity Foundation

Amity Foundation, an internationally acclaimed teaching and therapeutic community is seeking compassionate and enthusiastic individuals with a desire to teach, learn and join our community as, Program Counselor. With this groundbreaking opportunity not only will allow you to work with our prison programs helping the inmate population but will also enhance your training and experience in the field.

About Amity:

Amity Foundation is a safe place where people can change in an environment that fosters trust; where new values can be formed; responsibility developed, and lasting relationships built. Amity is dedicated to the inclusion and habilitation of people marginalized by addiction, homelessness, trauma, criminality, incarceration, poverty, racism, sexism and violence. Amity is committed to research, development implementation and dissemination of information regarding community building.

Remembrance, Resolution, Reconciliation, Restoration, Renewal

About the Position:

AsProgram Counselor you will support the community by delivering face-to-face rehabilitative programming services provided in the Integrated Substance Use Disorder Treatment Program (ISUDTP).

**You must be certified to be considered for the position. RADT does not meet current qualifications. **
The hourly wage is $31.73. 

What You Will Do:

The Program Counselor is responsible for implementing services of the PGYCC project, serving as a Mentor. The Program Counselor provides oversight of services, monitors the assigned tasks of counselors, serves as a liaison between project staff and PGYCC personnel, conducts trainings and meetings, and works directly with youth participants.

Essential Duties:

• Provides effective services to youth and is responsive to and supportive of youth needs.
• Maintains a therapeutic environment at PGYCC.
• Encourages the strengths and personal goals of youth while maintaining accountability for behavior.
• Serves as an appropriate role model for youth.
• Develops a treatment alliance with youth that is consistent, confidential, collaborative, and individualized.
• Provides visible advocacy within PGYCC, the community, and the juvenile justice system.
• Participates in PGYCC-led conflict resolution or mediation.
• Partners with PGYCC staff to create an overall therapeutic environment focusing on developing the youths’ identity, family connections, and positive supportive community.
• Demonstrates strong communication skills and effective approaches to group facilitation.
• Presents curriculum and facilitates large and small groups, structured activities, and individual supports to youth.
• Communicates effectively with PGYCC staff.
• Collects and submits data and attendance.
• Writes and submits quarterly reports.
• Maintains accurate, timely, and confidential participant records; Prepares concise, informative records and plans that are consistent with Amity standards and comply with applicable clinical and administrative rules.
• Effectively implements and delivers the scheduled curriculum.
• Works collaboratively with PGYCC staff.
• Maintains sensitivity and objectivity under pressures generated by associate with participants.
• Demonstrates ability to provide warmth, empathy, and honesty to participants to facilitate positive change and develop a treatment alliance with participants.
• Provides program participants with frequent acknowledgement and reinforcement for positive behaviors, as well as consistent and predictable feedback for negative behaviors, which may include reporting violations to PGYCC staff.
• Demonstrates ethical behavior to maintain professional standards and safeguard the participant.
• Protects and maintains participants’ health, safety, welfare, and confidentiality of records and information.
• Models’ professionalism, effective work habits, and responsible living.

What You Will Bring:

• Certification in Alcohol or Other Drugs (AOD), or as a Substance Use Disorder Counselor or Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, OR
• One year of experience conducting professional counseling in a community organization or treatment center established for developing appropriate treatment and recovery plans; facilitating individual and group therapy sessions; monitoring patients over time to assess treatment progress; identifying behaviors that interfere with treatment and recovery, OR
• Bachelor’s degree in counseling from an accredited college or university
• Must pass a background check administered by CDCR.

Preferred:

• Lived Experience (formerly incarcerated or justice involved) with demonstrated ability to live productive and law-abiding lives since discharge from the criminal justice system is strongly encouraged for this position.

Skills/Abilities:

• Ability to maintain sensitivity and objectivity under pressures generated by association with participants.
• Ability to provide genuine warmth, empathy, and honest sensitivity to program participants to facilitate positive change.
• Ability to provide program participants with frequent acknowledgment and reinforcement for positive behaviors, as well as consistent and predictable feedback for negative behaviors, which may include reporting violations to CDCR staff.
• Ability to develop a treatment alliance with participants.
• Ability to effectively supervise and train a multi-disciplinary team.
• Excellent interpersonal, written communications and typing skills.

What we Offer:

• Medical, Dental, Vision.
• Paid vacation, sick time, & holidays.
• 401K, HSA, & Life insurance programs
• Organization committed to community action.
• Community oriented workplace