Military and Family Life Counselor - Ready Reserve (Adult)

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Works in partnership with installation and uniformed Points of Contact (POC) to ensure needs of service-members, families, and program requirements are met.
• MFLC Counselors provide assessment and short-term, solution-focused counseling services to eligible individuals, marital or intimate partners, families, and groups.
• Able to perform accurate assessment of the client’s presenting problem and to plan effective treatment for that problem.
• Knowledge of preventative models that strengthen service members’ and their families’ readiness and resilience by reducing the stresses/stressors of military life cycle.
• Establish strong relationships with those having significant influence within the command structure.
• Ability to attend and brief at brigade and battalion staff meetings.
• Supports installation events, fairs and ceremonies to establish trust and build relationships.
• Responds to critical incidents, surge, and on-demand events, and special requests directed by the POC and approved by the Office of Secretary of Defense (OSD) program manager.
• Manages duty to warn and restricted reporting situations according to Department of Defense (DoD) protocol.
• Conducts government approved presentations as requested.
• Enters counselor activity reporting daily through issued equipment while assuring accurate reporting and maintaining confidentiality of participants.

Required Qualifications

• Be U.S. citizens and speak fluent English.
• Possess a Master's degree or higher from an accredited graduate program in a relevant behavioral health field of study to include, but not limited to social work, psychology, marriage/family therapy, or counseling.
• The candidate must hold a valid independent license in the mental health field from any US state or territory (LCSW, LMFT, LPCC, LMHC, Psychologist).
• Provisional licensure may be acceptable for specific positions and locations.
• Must be able to pass a basic background check for employment, a Child National Agency Check, and Inquiries (NACI/CNACI) clearance, commonly called a Public Trust clearance.
• Be able to pass all background/suitability checks, which may include additional installation-specific requirements.
• Knowledge of the difficulties of adjusting to general life stresses as well as those resulting from the requirements of military life, and experience providing short-term counseling for those issues.
• Knowledge of available military and community referral resources.
• Knowledge of standard documentation requirements for clinical services.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Proficiency in oral and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite software and skilled in the use of office software.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior military service/military family member and strong familiarity with military culture and command structure; experience developing productive relationships with high-ranking military personnel.
• Prior service as an MFLC counselor is strongly preferred.

Other Skills And Abilities

• This position requires access to U.S. Government facilities and systems.
• U.S. Citizenship, a valid driver's license, transportation, and auto insurance are required.

Competencies

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
• Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responsive to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.
• Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
• Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.
• Change Management - Develops workable implementation plans; Communicates changes effectively; Builds commitment and overcomes resistance; Prepares and supports those affected by change; Monitors transition and evaluates results.
• Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in the decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.
• Professionalism - Tactfully approaches others; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.

Physical Demands

• Works in office areas.
• Sits, stands, bends, lifts, and moves intermittently during working hours.
• Uses personal computer, telephones, copiers, printers and other office equipment.
• The employee must occasionally lift and move up to 10 pounds.

Work Environment

• The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here represent those encountered while performing the essential functions of this job.
• Zeiders may make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.