Bilingual Clinician_JOR

About the role

The Clinician for La Jornada makes a meaningful difference in the lives of children and youth in the assigned program. Working closely with children, youth, foster parents, and community partners, the Clinician provides assessments, counseling, advocacy, mental‑health stabilization, and support toward unification with a sponsor family and safe, successful community living.

Responsibilities

• Perform all work in alignment with the National Youth Advocate Program’s mission, values, and philosophies.
• Collaborate with the cross‑functional service team to deliver trauma‑informed mental‑health services, including required assessments, referrals, and identification of human‑trafficking concerns.
• Provide child‑facing services on‑site and maintain an active clinical caseload meeting program ratios and service‑delivery thresholds.
• Conduct mental‑health assessments; deliver individual and group counseling; provide crisis intervention as needed.
• Facilitate family sessions and conduct visits at foster caregivers’ homes within pre‑established timelines.
• Monitor clients’ mental well‑being and arrange appropriate services, including coordination with community mental‑health providers.
• Complete Risk, UC, Human Trafficking, RST assessments, safety plans, post‑18 age‑out plans, and other program‑required assessments within expected timeframes.
• Document and consult on clients’ functioning, mental‑health status, and treatment needs.
• Participate in staffing meetings with the cross‑functional team and stakeholders.
• Provide orientation to children in care.
• Travel to deliver community‑based services to youth and families in compliance with organizational, contract, and regulatory requirements.
• Complete all required documentation and training promptly.
• Consistently achieve established productivity thresholds.
• Coordinate and monitor community services for youth and families, including medical, educational, psychological, and social services.
• Screen for human‑trafficking concerns and provide crisis intervention.
• Perform other duties as requested.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s or doctorate degree from an accredited program in psychology, social work, counseling, marriage and family counseling, or a related behavioral discipline where clinical experience is required.
• Licensed or eligible for licensure (non‑licensed staff must be actively working toward licensure and obtain it within three years of employment).
• Bilingual English/Spanish fluency.
• Proficient with desktop and laptop computers, internet search, people‑management programs, smartphones, tablets, printers, fax machines, photocopiers, and standard software (word processing, spreadsheets, databases).
• Willingness to work flexible, non‑traditional hours and be on call nights/weekends as needed.
• Ability to organize, navigate, and physically escort youth to various travel destinations (airlines, trains, buses), with travel up to 25‑30% out‑of‑state.
• Minimum automobile insurance coverage of $100,000/$300,000 bodily liability.
• At least 21 years of age, a valid state driver’s license, a reliable personal vehicle, and a good driving record.

Other Skills

• Follow ORR, CDC, and state COVID‑19 protocols.
• Capacity to be flexible and responsive to youth, foster caregivers, system partners, and internal/external stakeholders.

Physical Demands

Use of manual dexterity, tactile, visual, and audio acuity; repetitive motion; prolonged periods of sitting and standing; sustained visual and mental effort. Occasional lifting (up to 25 lb), bending, pulling, and carrying. Ability to travel frequently and drive for extended periods. Reasonable accommodations may be provided for individuals with disabilities.

Benefits

• 33 paid days off each year (11 holidays + 22 days PTO)
• Healthcare benefits for employee and family
• Pet insurance with discounts and reimbursements
• Competitive salary
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Summer hours (half‑day Fridays) and work‑anniversary trips
• Mileage reimbursement, phone allowance, student‑loan repayment assistance
• Continuing education units (CEUs) and ongoing training/education