Crisis Counselor

Job Summary
Under the supervision of their Team Leader, the Crisis Counselor (CC) will provide outreach, basic support, individual and group crisis counseling, public education and referrals. They will work in support of the program’s response to assisting individuals and communities in understanding, coping with, and recovering from the effects of COVID-19. The Crisis Counselor will receive extensive training in both the crisis counseling activities and data entry for this position. This is a temporary, direct service position. This is a grant-funded position with an anticipated total duration of six (6) months.

Project Hope is a program that provides free crisis counseling services to persons, families, and groups most affected by COVID-19. Project Hope is funded by the Federal Emergency and Management Agency (FEMA) and is administered by (the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) in conjunction with NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The Crisis Counseling Assistance and Training Program (CCP) aims to provide immediate behavioral health support, primarily relying on face-to-face contacts with survivors in their communities over a specific period of time. Provided services will be culturally and linguistically competent and include outreach and engagement in community settings; education and training; assessment and referral to mental health and substance abuse programs.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Work with individuals, families, and groups by providing Crisis counseling services either virtual or in-person that includes outreach, emotional support, individual and group crisis counseling, public education, and referrals when needed
• Represent program in the community and networks with other agencies and partners to ensure needs of survivors are met
• Present to community groups on disaster reactions, coping skills, stress management, and the CCP
• Complete daily contact forms in accordance with New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) guidelines
• Conduct workshops, outreach, counseling and education in communities affected by the COVID pandemic
• Attend trainings and help individuals and families to access services by guiding them through the assessment and referral processes
• Attend community events to provide a compassionate presence and to be available to provide crisis counseling services, when needed
• Manage assigned caseload and ensures prompt and accurate data entry and follow-up with cases
• Provide the community with information, education, coping strategies and available resources
• Build rapport with fellow team members and supervisors understanding the importance of representing BPC positively
• Build relationships with community-based organizations, faith-based groups, and local agencies
• Conducts crisis counseling sessions to help individuals manage and cope with changes brought on by COVID 19; assists clients in understanding their reactions; developing coping strategies; managing their stress, and regaining a sense of mastery and control
• Distributes flyers, brochures, tip sheets and web-based material to educate individuals and families
• Escalate complex cases to Team Leader in a timely manner
• Other related duties as assigned

Required Competencies

• Ability to communicate with individuals in a professional and empathetic manner
• Knowledgeable about the community to be served
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to protect and maintain individuals’ privacy and confidentiality
• Works well both independently and collaboratively
• Ability to function well in a rapidly changing environment
• Ability to display a professional and positive attitude
• Proficient in Microsoft Office

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required
• Working knowledge of Trauma-Informed Care
• Cultural Competency required
• Trained paraprofessional or professional
• Must be reliable and able to work independently and understand the importance of maintaining confidentiality
• The Crisis Counselors must be cleared NYS Justice Center through fingerprinting for a Criminal History Records search
• Two years of coursework or equivalent experience in social or human services or related fields (social work, human services, community/public health, sociology, psychology, mental health counseling, or related field).
• Bi-lingual a plus

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Candidates of highly impacted communities are strongly encouraged to apply
• Relevant years of experience and gained competencies will be considered as strongly as education during the interview process
• New York City resident
• Familiarity with New York City neighborhoods, communities, and boroughs

Job Type: Temporary

Pay: $22.00 - $25.00 per hour

Salary : $22 - $25