Lead Mental Health Counselor / PSR Specialist (2760)  (Regular Full-Time, Hourly)
Program: Vista Balboa Crisis Center (Downtown SD)

Lead Mental Health Counselor / Lead PSR Specialist Mental Health Services forCalWORKs Program

Hours: 40hours per week, Monday - Friday

CRF: Why Its A Great Place To Work!

Community Research Foundation inspires and mentors the next generation of mental health professionals! Our accredited programs reach various demographics, so you can gain experience with almost any sector of mental health services.

At CRF, we are constantly evolving and developing fresh approaches to meet the needs of San Diego Countys residents who are experiencing mental/behavioral health challenges.

For you, that means that you will have opportunities to learn new ways to provide optimal supports to your clients. You will work within a collaborative, supportive team structure so that you can have fresh perspective and training. Need clinical supervision? We can help you get your hours! Best of all, you will be involved in helping people change their lives for the better!

CRF takes your dedication seriously, and provides benefits to help you balance your work life and your personal life. Our full-time (30 hours or more) staff earn 24 days of PTO per year plus generous holiday schedules; we offer COMPETITVE PAY, top-of-the-line medical insurance, dental plans, paid life insurance, vision plansand really generous retirement benefits. We also provide access to student loan repayment/forgiveness programs for graduates.

We have strong internal advancement options, so there are opportunities for you to grow within our company.

Come join us!!

Program Overview:

Located in downtown San Diego, CA, Step Forwardprovides a full range of behavioral health services for CalWORKs participants and their families. We work on reducing barriers toward employment, help parents and guardians to become self-sufficient and thrive. Services are provided for adults and their families in a caring and respectful atmosphere, encouraging independence, initiative, and recovery. Step Forward provides outpatient services, Monday Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm and is centrally located in the Bankers Hill area.

Step Forward provides excellent training in the Mental Health field with strong emphasis in Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Seeking Safety, and Motivational Interviewing.

Typical Duties of the Lead Mental Health Counselor/PSR Specialist

• Conduct initial behavioral health assessments of new clients and/or returning clients
• Provide individual and group psychosocial behavioral health services and activities for clients and/or members of clients' families
• Assist the client in developing client service plan goals, prioritizing areas of need, and steps needed to reach goals established, as well as identified areas of strength
• Conduct initial phone screens, triage and walk-in services, care coordination, and/or crisis intervention as requested by direct supervisors
• Coordinate and oversee the daily activities and schedules of the PSR Specialists
• Provide back-up coverage for the MAC handling referral from WTW ECMs, and additional reports per CalWORKs Program Guide
• Provide back-up schedules and provides Family Engagement Activities
• Develop and maintains positive and professional working relationships with community health, welfare, and social services.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Master's degree (M.A. or M.S.) or Doctoral degree (Ph.D or Psy.D) in a mental health related field
• License or license-eligible mental health professional and license must be kept current throughout employment
• Minimum of2 years of experience assisting hard-to-serve populations such as SMI, SED, SUD, and WTW clients
• Current CPR/First Aid certification preferred
• Demonstrates knowledge of psychosocial rehabilitation and recovery-oriented evidenced-based practices treating mental illness, substance use disorders, domestic violence with an understanding of family and women's issues to achieve employment readiness
• Bilingual proficiency in a threshold language preferred
• Knowledge of the Latino culture preferred
• Intermediate computer skills inMS Office applications, specifically Word and Excel
• Reliable transportation is required to fulfill the essential functions of this position. A valid California drivers license in good standing and proof of insurance are required for employees driving personal vehicles on company business.
• Ability to pass criminal/background clearance

Be a part of our vibrant non-profit organization and make a difference in the lives of the people we serve!

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer