Support Counselor - San Francisco
Be a positive presence in the life of vulnerable children by becoming a Support Counselor with Alternative Family Services. Support Counselors work in the community in collaboration with the treatment team to support families and children within the Intensive Treatment Foster Care program. This is a full-time position with a flexible schedule!
About Alternative Family Services
Alternative Family Services is a Foster Family, Adoption and Mental Health Agency that has been serving abused and neglected children in our community since 1973. Our mission is to support vulnerable children and families in need of stability, safety, and well-being in communities. We provide a wide range of foster, adoption, mental health and transition-aged youth services in English and Spanish. We have eight locations throughout the Bay Area and over 200 employees. We celebrate diversity, equal opportunity, and excellence.
Responsibilities
- Provide support services to the child and foster family via methods consistent with the agency’s treatment philosophy and approach
- Provide a variety of interventions. This may include, but is not limited to, coaching, mentoring, skill building, tutoring and supportive feedback
- Provide emergency response. Some evenings and weekends may be required.
- Ensure the safety and well-being of the foster child at all times
- Transport children to a variety of appointments and or settings using a personal vehicle in safe working order
- Submit written documentation of such visitations and or activities to CPS workers
- Ensure compliance with HIPAA privacy practices
- Adhere to our attendance and punctuality policy
- Assume other duties as assigned by supervisor
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Obtain and maintain fingerprint and government and agency required background clearances
- Educational requirements
- A bachelor’s degree in a social science related field
- Or, associate degree in a social science related field, plus at least six months experience in working with children having emotional or behavioral problem
- Or, two years of experience working with emotionally disturbed children or children who have a serious behavioral problem, and who demonstrate a combination of education, skills, and experience
- Valid California driver’s license with an acceptable driving record, auto insurance showing as an insured driver on the policy and vehicle registration
- Able to drive and transport children into a variety of community settings using a personal vehicle that is maintained in safe working order
- CPR/First Aid certification
- Able to read and write fluently in English
- Able to meet the specific linguistic needs to the target population
- Able to clearly communicate verbally and in writing
- Able to interact calmly and professionally with clients who may act out due to behavioral disabilities
- Able to interact with co-workers, county representatives, and other treatment team members as part of a cooperative team
- Agree to work on cultural competency as it relates to the diverse client population served
- Work with minimal direct supervision and able to manage time and prioritize workload
- Possess a high level of integrity, honesty and strong work ethic
Driving Requirements
This position requires the employee to work out in the community and within foster homes throughout the Bay Area. Thus, position requires employee to possess a valid CA driver’s license and valid automobile insurance with his/her name on the verification card as an insured driver on the policy at all times. Position requires daily access to a car in safe working order.
We Offer
- $21.00-$27.40/hour pay rate
- A professional and supportive work environment
- IRS standard mileage reimbursement
- Benefits package which includes:
- Medical
- Dental
- Vision
- Chiropractic & Acupuncture
- Flex-spending options
- Life and disability insurance
- 403(b) option
- Over 7 weeks time off annually! (11 vacation days the first year – accruals starting on your 1st day and progress up to 20 days a year! 11 paid holidays including your birthday off & 12 sick days annually!)
- AFS makes substantial monthly contributions on your behalf to keep out of pocket premiums at an all time low!
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of Ancestry, Age, Color, Disability, Genetic Information, Gender, Gender Identity, Gender expression, Marital status, Medical condition, Military or veteran status, National origin, Race, Religion, Sex and Sexual orientation.