Counselor

About the program

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is a national leader and innovator in the services and programs we provide to our residents who enjoy our public spaces such as parks, community centers, specialty gardens and swimming pools. Our mission is to equip employees and the public for well-being as we support healthy people, a thriving environment and vibrant community. We provide safe and accessible spaces for residents and visitors to work, recreate, rejuvenate and enhance quality of life and wellness for children, teenagers, adults and seniors. Delivering excellent customer service to all is a core value.

Seattle Parks and Recreation commits to advancing equity and social justice in our department and in every neighborhood by growing a dynamic and diverse workforce, developing strong investments, growth opportunities and beneficial partner strategies as we acknowledge and pledge to close disparities created by historical practices which often hindered workforce development, environmental justice, access to quality open spaces, programs and facilities.

The Seattle Conservation Corps (SCC) is a one-year work-training program for homeless adults. Corps Members are compensated for their engagement at the minimum wage rate. Participants must be 18 years of age or older, able to lift 50 lbs., and homeless. Participants engage in work-training 40 hours a week by working in different areas of the city with supervisors and by receiving counseling regarding work-maturity skills from their counselor/case manager. Participants may be actively in the drug addiction/recovery process, formerly incarcerated, struggling with mental illness, in violent relationships or escaping domestic violence, or facing other barriers to stability. Case managers/counselors assist clients in addressing these barriers so that they can attain and maintain employment and housing once they exit the program. In this role it is highly likely that you may encounter participants that are avoidant, procrastinating, co-dependent, aggressive, or simply unsure of their ability to face their lives as sober, stable, accountable adults. You will be required to help clients recognize their barriers, understand the benefit of surmounting those barriers, and then work to remove them via the treatment plans that you create. SCC is looking for a professional social service provider that is comfortable addressing the resistance that comes with suggesting personal change to people who do not always want to change, and who can navigate the politics of working with a revenue-seeking component of this program, Operations, that may at times wish to have a client work in the field when the case manager feels that the client should be excused to address a personal issue. This position requires intensive case management on many levels.

Responsibilities

• Provide case management assistance to homeless adults in a one-year work-training program.
• Build and maintain a caseload of approximately 25 to 35 adults per year.
• Provide support through case management, advocacy internally as well as in the community, and face-to-face services to address barriers to housing.
• Develop an individual strategy (treatment plan) for each participant that addresses barriers to housing, employment, and personal stability.
• Connect clients to community resources, including housing, health and mental health, chemical dependency, education, employment, legal support, life skills, etc. One-on-one appointments can take hours and be a point of focus for days until the goal is achieved.
• Assist clients in developing problem-solving skills and positive communication techniques to promote success on the job, working with their supervisors in the Operations component of this program.
• Complete and submit all documentation and grant reporting in a timely manner.
• Ensure all client-related data is both current and accurate in the City's data management system.
• Transport participants to appointments and use this time to counsel and case manage.
• Occasionally provide de-escalation and crisis intervention.
• Provide services to participants in an open-door office setting which functions with or without appointments.
• Build trust and rapport with clients yet set boundaries that do not allow for personal fraternizing.
• Participate in weekly or bi-weekly supervision team meetings which include meetings with the Human Services Team, the upper management of the program, and all staff meetings.
• Ensure that all client-related data is both current and accurate in SCC's data tracking system and that data and files are secure.
• Evaluate program participants to determine treatment needs.
• Develop treatment plans and document all interactions involving or concerning the treatment.
• Maintain a high level of competence in understanding substance use disorders, mental health issues and socio-economic and cultural factors and apply a professional and therapeutic approach to problem-solving participants' needs.
• In coordination with drug court housing providers and treatment case managers, address recurrence of use (relapse), rule violations, problem behavior and emerging needs amongst participants who reside in drug court housing.
• Conduct comprehensive relevant assessments to determine level of programming, assess criminal history from internal and external information sources, and assess motivation for change in determining eligibility.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Three years social services experience involving interviewing, counseling, or crisis intervention, and a bachelor's degree in Social Services, Psychology or a related field (or a combination of education and/or training and/or work experience which provides the ability to perform the work of the class).

Desired Qualifications

• A minimum of five years' social services experience involving interviewing, counseling, crisis intervention, treatment plan development and implementation, behavior modification and a bachelor's degree in social services, Psychology or a related field, OR AA degree in related field and six years of hands-on experience in the job responsibilities outlined above.
• Broad knowledge of Seattle resources for homeless adults including housing, addiction, mental health treatment, and criminal justice system legal services.
• Experience in work training, human services or other anti-poverty work settings.
• Experience and understanding of the addiction and recovery process.
• Strong clinical understanding of the