About

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Role Description

The Assignment Ready Counselor (ARC) will provide coverage in short-term, surge and on demand situations resulting from the Military needs such as a post-deployment event or to cover an existing assignment for counselors who are absent. The Summer ARC counselor position covers assignments during the May 15th through September 15th time period, coinciding with the school summer break.

• Provides the full breadth of Adult or Child and Youth Behavioral (CYB) counseling services to military service members and their families at military installations.
• Services may include:
  • Non-medical counseling
  • Training/health and wellness presentations
  • Consultation with parents, personnel at child daycare centers and schools
  • Consultation to installation command regarding behavioral health issues affecting military personnel and their family members
• May be assigned to DoDEA schools and community schools, requiring experience working in a school setting.
• May also be assigned to youth programs, summer camps, and on demand assignments.
• Works closely with the installation and military branch Points of Contact (POC) to assure that the program meets the needs of the installation.
• Provides non-medical, short term, solution focused counseling directly to adults, children, and youth of service members.
• Services include:
  • Assessment
  • Brief counseling and consultation
  • Action planning
  • Referral to resources
  • Follow-up as indicated
• Focus on supporting the staff and personnel of CDCs, DoDEA and community schools, youth programs, and summer camps.
• Provides training and health and wellness presentations, participates in health fairs and other base/installation activities.
• Enters counselor activity data daily through smartphone or web application to assure accurate reporting while maintaining confidentiality and anonymity.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree from an accredited graduate program in a mental health related field, or social work.
• Ability to quickly engage and communicate with military members, spouses, or children.
• Advanced knowledge of brief therapy and solution-focused counseling methods.
• Prior military service/military family member and/or strong familiarity with military culture desired.
• For CYB positions, must meet the Magellan MFLC CYB criteria for experience with children and youth and specialty in child and adolescent development/psychology.

Requirements

• Willing to accept assignments of undefined periods, including weekends.
• Can cover assignments of varying length from a weekend to two weeks.
• Adaptable to new working conditions and varying location rules.
• Able to work effectively with minimal instruction and guidance.
• Participates in regular in-services/training, Quality Improvement committees, or other contract activities as assigned.
• Ability to traverse short and/or long distances within the base to both indoor and outdoor locations.
• Must comply with various site-specific requirements, including immunizations or vaccinations.
• Ability to prove US Citizenship and must be fluent in English.
• Creates a presence on the installation that makes service and family members feel comfortable approaching the counselor.
• Establishes and maintains working relationships with community resources and provides appropriate linkages.
• Manages duty to warn and restricted reporting situations according to DoD protocol.
• Communicates with Regional Supervisors and participates in regular individual and group supervision.
• Responds to critical incidents and special requests as directed by the POC and approved by the OSD program manager.

Benefits

• This is a Service Contract Act (SCA) covered position.
• The pay rate and health and welfare allowance are specified in the applicable wage determination agreement.