Mental Health Counselor - Boys and Girls Clubs of the Northtowns
Buffalo, NY
About the Job
Schedule: Monday to Friday from 3:00pm to 8:00pm and occasional Saturdays.
Total Hours for this position are 29.5 per week.
PRIMARY FUNCTION:
The purpose of the Counselor position is to provide additional staff support to increase members'
success during the after school and/or summer program. These staff will provide mentorship,
intervention, and prevention support, and foster a safe environment for all students through
individualized and small group services. Examples of such intervention/prevention support may be
in areas of crisis, behavior management, anxiety, trauma, self-esteem, or social skills.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES (Essential Job Responsibilities):
ï‚· Serve as a support person providing intervention and prevention support to Club Members
during the after school and/or summer program and especially during crisis situations
ï‚· Assist program planning for SEL and mental health services based on analysis of child and
family needs
ï‚· Assist in the development and implementation of a system to ensure that all children and
families that are identified as benefiting from mental health services receive support in a
timely manner
ï‚· Create and assist in the implementation of individual support plans
ï‚· With support of site leadership, engage in creating a small caseload of youth at each site
ï‚· Collaborate with site leadership to ensure that all youth participating in the program have a
signed permission slip from a parent or guardian
ï‚· Set goals based around helping children succeed during Club time and in life
ï‚· Provide guidance to BGCLK staff about behavior intervention supports for each of the
students on their caseload
ï‚· Report and document critical incidents to site leadership
ï‚· Communicate and collaborate with partners regarding program activities
ï‚· Provide access to assessment and other available data for the purposes of program
evaluation
ï‚· Administer organizational standards of behavior and discipline for the purpose of ensuring
the safety and well being of students
ï‚· Monitor individual students and/or groups of students in a variety of activities and/or
school environments (e.g. classroom, library, playground, etc.) for the purpose of ensuring
the safety and welfare of students
ï‚· Perform record keeping and notes for the purpose of providing necessary records/materials
for both teachers and after school Club staff
ï‚· Respond to emergency situations for the purpose of resolving immediate safety concerns
INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS:
ï‚· Maintain close contact with Club staff and supervisor to receive/provide information,
discuss issues, explain or interpret guidelines/instructions; instruct; and advise/counsel.
Recruits and cultivates volunteers through involvement in meetings and community events.
ï‚· Maintain contact with parents or guardians in order to communicate about Club activities,
explain or interpret Club guidelines, and address any conduct issues relative to Members.
ï‚· Initiate and maintain positive communication with school principals and classroom teachers.
ï‚· Work cooperatively to help achieve goals and grant objectives associated with the special
programs.
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
ï‚· May be required to drive the Club van.
ï‚· May be required to answer phones and perform other light administrative duties.
ï‚· Other duties as assigned.
REQUIREMENTS:
ï‚· College degree or equivalent experience. Child psychology or psychology or hours
completed toward a child psychology or psychology degree, preferred.
ï‚· CPR/First Aid Certification, preferred.
ï‚· Experience working with children.
ï‚· Knowledge of youth development.
ï‚· Experience planning and implementing quality programs for youth.
ï‚· Ability to motivate children and youth and manage behavior problems.
ï‚· Ability to organize and supervise children in a safe environment.
ï‚· Ability to work with the general public (both verbal and written).
ï‚· Have a valid State Driver's License (van drivers only).
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The employee will work primarily indoors with outdoor activities when weather permits for sports
related program. The environment may fluctuate between various noise levels based on activity.
Employee will be required to read, hear, and write daily. Physical agility and ability to react to
emergency situations is required. Moderate standing, walking bending and sitting throughout the
day with occasional lifting up to (50) lbs.