PALS Case Manager & Therapeutic Specialist

SCHEDULE: 40 hours/week, schedule to be determined. 

WAGE/BENEFITS: $25.00 per hour. Janus offers an excellent benefits program including medical, dental, life & long-term disability insurance; EAP; 401(k) and paid time off (varied eligibility waiting periods apply). Voluntary optional coverage is also available.

Applications for all positions may be forwarded to appropriate similar positions within Janus Youth Programs. Positions may vary by location, pay structure, union, and supervisory staff.

The Placement and Liaison Specialist (PALS) Case Manager and Therapeutic Specialist is responsible for overseeing case plans and therapeutic interventions for youth in a combined HOPE/Crisis Residential Center (CRC) and Basic Center Program.  Guidelines for case management and service provision are governed by the Department of Commerce/Office of Homeless Youth, Washington Administrative Code (WAC’s), and the Revised Code of Washington (RCW’s).  This position provides two hours of documented case consultation per week to the Bachelor’s-level case manager and reports to the Program Supervisor.  This position provides on-call supervision and support to direct care staff as part of a monthly rotation.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree in social work, counseling or closely allied field from an accredited college or university. 
• Clinical and/or Therapeutic training and experience required.
• At least one year experience working in a residential or shelter care program for adolescents.
• At least one year experience working with street youth.
• Case Management and Family Mediation/Therapy experience preferred.
• Preference will be given to applicants cross-credentialed in mental health and chemical dependency.

REQUIRED ABILITIES:

• Ability to work effectively within: Culturally diverse populations; team-dependent models; crisis management; systemic theory; strength based theoretical orientation; adolescent and youth development; and family reunification.  Ability to work effectively may be demonstrated through academic experience, job experience, references, and interview responses.
• Ability to work with community partners and other stakeholders, such as law enforcement officers, emergency medical personnel, and hospitals, as needed.
• A Bi-lingual skill (Spanish) is preferred.
• Must value working in a multicultural/diverse environment.
• Knowledge of Positive Youth Development Approach, Family Systems, and Strength Based Theoretical Orientation.
• Ability to read, understand, and comply with the WAC’s and RCW’s relative to all aspects of the program.
• Ability to read, understand and comply with HOPE/CRC and Basic Center grant requirements.
• Must have basic counseling skills, including unconditional positive regard, empathy, active listening, information giving, and removing obstacles to change.
• Must be able to project confidence when interacting with individuals or groups of high-risk homeless youth and engage in conversation to further develop trusting and professional relationships with youth, including youth in shelter and/or while engaging youth in outreach services.
• Working knowledge of the unique mental health needs of transition age homeless youth, such as developmental psychology, Stages of Change, Motivational Interviewing, Trauma Informed Care, Harm Reduction, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Restorative Justice, and Positive Youth Development.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to accurately write, read, record and interpret information.
• Ability to provide visual and auditory supervision of clients.
• Ability to stay calm and emotionally available in an environment serving youth with significant behavioral and emotional challenges.
• Ability to exercise tact, discretion, and judgment in working with a variety of people.
• Ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries in working with others and in handling confidential information.
• Ability to effectively monitor safety and demonstrate group management skills and effectively de-escalate potentially chaotic or volatile situations.
• Ability to regularly attend and be punctual for scheduled work commitments and meetings, and be in a condition suitable for assuming responsibilities of position.
• Manual/physical dexterity allowing for performance of routine office functions, including phone use, computer use, faxing, filing, copying, etc.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Driving is required. All employees who drive for work purposes must have and maintain a valid driver’s license for state of residency, have a driving record that permits coverage under the corporate auto liability policy, and complete the agency’s driving approval process before driving for work. If driving a personal vehicle for work purposes drivers must also have personal auto liability coverage ($100,000/$300,000 levels strongly recommended). Employees are not to drive for work purposes until they have received written authorization to do so.
• Bloodborne Pathogens training is required on first day of employment and annually thereafter.
• Must complete Mandatory Abuse Training within the first 30 days of employment and annually thereafter.
• Provides emergency first-aid, as needed, and must have and maintain standard first-aid/CPR certification.
• Must pass criminal history background check.
• TB Clearance.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• May involve exposure to communicable diseases, including a variety of illnesses and infections such as the common cold, TB, Hepatitis, flu, meningitis, and HIV.
• May involve exposure to upset, angry, severely traumatized or emotionally disturbed children, adolescents and families.
• May involve time in excess of routine schedule and/or overtime, including evening/overnight, and/or weekend hours, and/or holidays.
• May require working and providing services at locations other than program site (i.e., restaurant, café’, clients’ apartments, etc.,) and may, therefore, be exposed to environments not under agency control (i.e., second-hand smoke, varying hygiene practices, etc.).

This position description is intended to give the reader a general idea of the overall purpose and the main activities and responsibilities that are intrinsic to this position. While this description is intended to be representative, it is not intended to be limiting.

Learn more about Janus Youth Programs at www.janusyouth.org!