Mental Health Counselor

Mental Health Counselor/ Licensed Mental Health Counselor

40 hours per week, Full-Time

Salary Scale:

Non-Licensed: $74,880.00 - $82,555.20 Licensed: $83,200 - $91,728.00

Starting Salary Commensurate with Experience.

Bilingual pay eligible (additional $2.50 cents per hour)

Health and Retirement Benefits Eligible - - Position Open Until Filled

About the Position: Under the supervision of the Director of Clinical Programs and Lead Clinician, performs outpatient counseling services to children ages 0-21 and their families. This position is critical to helping children excel and will join a team of very energetic, passionate and committed clinicians who care about the wellbeing of the children and families they serve.

About the Agency: Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance (PVPSA) is a nonprofit organization committed to improving the lives of children, youth, and families in the Pajaro Valley. Founded in 1991, PVPSA offers a variety of services focused on promoting student success and community well-being. Its mission includes providing health education, mental health support, and substance use services, while advocating for public policies that protect community health. PVPSA works closely with local schools, including the Pajaro Valley Unified School District, the County Office of Education (COE), local government, state agencies, and partnering nonprofits to deliver its programs. These collaborations help create a supportive environment that addresses the diverse needs of students and their families.

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.

· Bill services through Medi-Cal

· Spend at least 5 hours each day providing therapeutic interventions to clients, completing paperwork (progress notes, assessments, etc.), connecting with client families and supporting agencies to best coordinate client care, and connecting with school personnel regarding client functioning in the school setting.

· Provide client-centered counseling services that are goal oriented utilizing evidence-based modalities. Listen, respond empathically, and empower clients to create change. Identify symptoms and assist in self-management skills for mental health challenges.

· Facilitate group therapy, family therapy, and individual sessions that enhance behavioral stability and wellbeing for clients. Provide wrap around support including case management and collateral support for clients and families.

· Participate in staff meetings, in-service trainings, conferences and workshops.

· Participate as a team member in case management and department collaboration.

· Maintain Medi-Cal (EPSDT) documentation inclusive of Assessments, Treatment Plans and Progress Notes in an electronic health record system in a timely manner as required by program standards.

· Adhere to all confidentiality requirements and mandated reporting laws.

Employment Standards

Knowledge of:

• Symptoms and behaviors of mental health challenges and diagnosis.
• Basic social rehabilitation, socialization and practical life management skills
• Principles and methods of interviewing, counseling, crisis intervention and assessing psychosocial behaviors
• Diagnosing using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR) Criteria.
• Medi-Cal/EPSDT service delivery and productivity standards
• Electronic Health Record Systems (EHRs) and documentation standards.
• Strength based and culturally competent services.
• School based systems, policies, and procedures

Ability to:

• Work with children, adolescents and families
• Assess student's behavioral and emotional strengths and challenges to make knowledgeable recommendations and/or design appropriate Treatment Plans.
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of duties, contributing to a positive climate and culture at PVPSA and with community partners.
• Prepare a variety of administrative and professional reports meeting agency standards.
• 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 Associate with the CA BBS (AMFT/ APCC/ ASW), OR be enrolled in a practicum course of an accredited master’s degree program within a counseling field (MFT Trainee/ PCC Trainee/ Social Work Intern); must have at least one-year experience working in counseling 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 as a LMFT, LCSW, or LPCC. Bilingual, English and Spanish, desirable.

All positions receive clinical supervision at no cost to employee. Routine training opportunities offered interdepartmentally and agency wide.

​Salary and Benefits: Competitive Salary, commensurate with experience. PVPSA offers competitive benefits including Paid Time Off, Medical, Dental, Vision, Life for employee and family coverage is also available. Employer also contributes to the employee’s retirement plan. 13 paid holidays plus 8 -day paid winter break. In addition to company wide Holidays, employees are eligible for 1 Mental Health/Birthday floating holiday per year, prorated to employee's work hours.

How to Apply: If interested, please submit your resume and a cover letter via email or mail to:

PVPSA Human Resources

Email: adminhr@pvpsa.org

mail: 240 East Lake Avenue,

Watsonville, CA 95076

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $74,880.00 - $91,728.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person