Behavioral Health Counselor

Behavioral Health Counselor

CLASSIFICATIONS: Full-Time, 35 HOURS/WEEK

The Behavioral Health Counselor (BHC) provides short-term counseling, crisis response, and behavioral health support services to clients residing in Diaspora Community Services programs, including DHS shelters and Transitional Independent Living (TIL) sites.

The role works collaboratively with program staff to support clients’ mental health needs, promote stability, and assist individuals in achieving program goals through brief intervention, crisis management, assessment, and appropriate referrals.

Reports to: Director of Program Operations

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Provide short-term counseling and behavioral health support to clients
• Respond to crises, including de-escalation and stabilization
• Conduct mental health screenings and assessments
• Develop and support individualized service plans with case management team
• Maintain accurate and timely documentation
• Collaborate with staff to support client stability and engagement
• Connect clients to external mental health and community resources

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or related field
• LMHC, LMSW, LCSW, or similar licensure (preferred or required based on program)
• At least 2 years of experience in counseling or behavioral health services
• Experience working with vulnerable populations (e.g., homelessness, shelters) preferred

Compensation:

$90,000-$100,000

Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience.

Founded in 1981, Diaspora Community Services (DCS) is a Brooklyn-based multi-service and multi-cultural 501 (c) 3 nonprofit providing comprehensive supports to low income residents, immigrants, and the chronically ill. DCS serves some 10,000 annually through three programmatic sites in New York City. Staffed by seasoned professionals in the health and social service sectors and supported by a dedicated Board of Directors as diverse as the vibrant communities we serve, DCS provides robust programming that targets the most vulnerable of our communities.

​DCS’s programs address the very root causes of the challenges our clients face, empowering low income families and individuals to overcome obstacles to their well-being and self-sufficiency. Since obtaining non- profit status in 1991, DCS (formerly known as the Haitian Women’s Program) has continued to focus on the challenges and inequities that impact women and girls and the youth of our communities. From resettling Haitian refugees in the late 1980s to addressing the onset of the HIV crisis in 1990, DCS has focused on ensuring clients have access to much needed benefits, counseling, education, housing placement and referrals to our many qualified organizational partners.

Diaspora Community Services does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion (creed), gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities, hiring practices or operations.

COVID-19 considerations: Covid vaccination required. All clients and employees are required to complete a safety assessment form, take their temperature, wear a mask and common surfaces are sanitized regularly. etc.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $90,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Education:

• Master's (Required)

Experience:

• Responding to behavioral health crises: 2 years (Preferred)
• Counseling: 2 years (Required)
• Working with vulnerable population: 2 years (Required)

License/Certification:

• LMHC (Required)

Work Location: In person