Counselor II - Travis County Transformation Project (Full Time)

About the Role

LifeWorks of Austin, TX is looking for a Counselor II to join our Counseling team. This full-time, non-exempt position provides trauma-informed, strengths-based counseling services to youth and families participating in the Travis County Transformation Project (TCTP), an innovative pre-arrest diversion initiative serving youth involved in assault family violence incidents.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual and family counseling utilizing trauma-informed, evidence-based, and restorative approaches.
• Provide crisis intervention, risk assessment, safety planning, and stabilization services for youth and families.
• Deliver services in home, community, office, respite shelter, and telehealth settings as appropriate.
• Support families participating in diversion services following assault family violence incidents.
• Participate in multidisciplinary case consultation and coordinated service planning.
• Coordinate closely with TCTP youth advocates, respite shelter staff, other LifeWorks program staff, Travis County partners, schools, and community providers.
• Facilitate referrals and link youth and families to additional behavioral health services as appropriate and desired.
• Represent LifeWorks and TCTP at community meetings and outreach events as assigned.
• Administer client services, including assessments, diagnosis, session planning, treatment planning, record keeping, third-party billing documentation, case management tasks, evaluation of client progress, and follow-ups with clients.
• Incorporate restorative practices and family-centered approaches into service delivery.
• Promote healing, youth empowerment, accountability, and family engagement throughout the intervention process.
• Maintain timely and accurate documentation in the organization-wide CRM system.
• Participate in program evaluation, quality improvement activities, and file reviews.
• Provide services during late afternoons, evenings, and weekends.
• Conduct community outreach by attending fairs, mental health events, and providing training or participating in panels.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Social Work, Counseling, or a related field.
• Advanced licensure such as LCSW, LPC, or LMFT.
• 2+ years of post-graduate direct clinical experience.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care, restorative practices, positive youth development, and family systems approaches.
• Experience providing counseling in facility and home-based settings preferred.
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.
• Experience collaborating with schools, law enforcement, juvenile probation, or community-based organizations preferred.
• Competency in using electronic systems such as client databases and MS Office (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint).

Core Competencies and Skills

• Client Focus: Builds transformational relationships with clients and delivers mission-centered solutions.
• Collaborates and Adapts: Builds partnerships and works collaboratively to meet shared objectives.
• Honors Differences: Embraces diverse perspectives, cultures, and backgrounds.
• Nimble Learning: Actively learns from successes, failures, and others’ experiences.
• Builds Trust: Gains confidence through integrity, dependability, and authenticity.
• Action Oriented: Takes initiative and focuses on mission-critical opportunities.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Valid driver's license within 30 days of hire.
• Standard First-Aid and CPR Certification as required.
• One or more of the following licenses: LCSW, LPC, or LMFT.
• Ability to be Medicaid credentialed.
• TX Driver’s License and personal vehicle insurance.

Schedule

20 hours/week. Monday - Thursday 4-8 pm and Saturdays 10-2 pm. Hours may vary depending on program need and client schedules.

Pay

$29.93 - $42.27/hr depending upon experience.

Benefits

• 24 PTO days per year (accrued)
• 11 paid holidays per year
• Premium-free employee medical plan with $100/month HSA contribution
• Affordable employee or family medical, dental, and vision options
• Retirement savings plan with 50% match on the first 6% of contributions

About LifeWorks

With more than 50 years of experience working with youth experiencing homelessness, youth aging out of foster care, young adults, and young parents, LifeWorks is committed to solving youth homelessness through housing, mental health, education, and workforce services. Our vision is a Central Texas where every young person has a place to call home, a sense of belonging, and the support to pursue a life they love.