Overview The Child, Youth & Family Advocate/Counselor is responsible for overseeing and supporting counseling services for children, adolescents, and caretakers impacted by domestic violence and related trauma. This position ensures the delivery of trauma-informed, strength-based, culturally responsive, and developmentally appropriate mental health services while maintaining compliance with ethical, legal, and funding requirements. The Counselor serves as a liaison between counselors, families, community partners, and internal programs to promote healing, safety, and resilience among those who are impacted by Domestic Violence and Intimate Partner Violence. The Child, Youth & Family Advocate/Counselor serves as an at-will staff member of Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence.

Responsibilities Priority One:

Program Oversight Coordinate the daily operations of the child, youth & family counseling program, including intakes, referrals, scheduling, and case assignments.

• Support preparation for audits, site visits, and funder reports.

Priority Two:

Clinical Support & Quality Assurance Provide day-to-day guidance and consultation to counselors, advocates, interns, volunteers, or contracted clinicians. Support adherence to ethical standards, mandatory reporting laws, confidentiality, and documentation requirements. Assist with development and implementation of policies, procedures, and clinical protocols. Participate in case staffing, case reviews, and multidisciplinary team and all staff meetings.

Priority Three:

Direct Client Services Provide individual, group, or family counseling to children and youth affected by domestic violence. Conduct trauma-informed assessments and safety planning in collaboration with caregivers and staff, interns, and volunteers. Deliver crisis intervention and referrals to community resources as needed.

Priority Four:

Community Collaboration & Outreach Coordinate with schools, child welfare agencies, courts, healthcare providers, and community partners. Participate in outreach efforts to increase awareness of counseling services for children, youth & families affected by domestic violence. Represent the organization at community meetings and professional networks.

Priority Five:

Training Assist with onboarding, training, and support of counseling staff, interns, or volunteers. Support implementation of trauma-informed practices to promote wellness among staff, interns, and volunteers. Participate in ongoing professional development and required trainings. Ensure services align with practices that are trauma-informed, strength-based, evidence-based, survivor-centered, developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive. Monitor program outcomes, service utilization, and client progress. Support integration of counseling services with advocacy, shelter, housing, education and prevention programs. Work closely with the Shelter Child and Youth Counselor. Assist with grant compliance, data collection, and outcome reporting. Requirements Proven experience working with children and families in social services or child welfare settings. Knowledge of child protective services protocols, child & family services practices, and family law procedures. Strong crisis management skills with the ability to respond calmly under pressure; certifications such as CPR and First Aid are required. Familiarity with behavioral health issues affecting children and high-risk populations; experience working with individuals with disabilities is preferred. Excellent communication skills—both written and verbal—to effectively advocate for clients and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications for documentation and reporting purposes. Bilingual abilities are highly desirable to serve diverse communities effectively. Ability to work flexible hours as needed to meet client needs; experience in conflict management is a plus.

SKILLS:

Education:

Master's degree in counseling psychology, Human Services, or a related field, or a combination of education and/or experience.

Experience:

Three years of progressive experience working in mental health and trauma recovery for children and adolescents.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Strong working knowledge of the dynamics of intimate partner violence (IPV), and trauma-informed, survivor-centered, and developmentally appropriate service delivery. Knowledge of or experience working with issues at the intersections of IPV, race, class, gender, ability, and sexual orientation strongly preferred. Requires excellent leadership and community-building, written and oral communication skills, attention to detail, and ability to prioritize work and tasks. Requires adaptability to produce and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, multi-task and changing environment. Proven computer skills including MS Office are necessary. Salesforce or other database experience preferred. Must be able to work independently and as part of a team. Must have good negotiation skills and the ability to handle sensitive information with diplomacy.

Schedule Availability:

Days with occasional extended workdays or weekends

Licenses/Certifications:

LPC, LPCC, LMSW or MSW preferred

Pay:

$53,500.00 - $57,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) Employee assistance program Flexible schedule Health insurance Mileage reimbursement Paid time off

Work Location:

In person