Prevention Counselor / Social Worker

at  Catholic Charities of Buffalo

WE ARE HIRING A PREVENTION CLINICIAN / PREVENTIVE SOCIAL WORKER FOR OUR FAMILY ENRICHMENT / PREVENTIVE SERVICES PROGRAM IN BUFFALO. THIS INDIVIDUAL MUST POSSESS A BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN SOCIAL WORK , MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING , OR RELATED FIELD. MASTER’S DEGREE PREFERRED.

Catholic Charities is a non-profit organization that offers an array of programs that strive to empower individuals, children and families. Catholic Charities of Buffalo, NY, is the most comprehensive human service provider serving the eight counties of Western New York with dozens of programs at 40+ professionally staffed locations. Our programs include comprehensive counseling services for all ages, basic emergency assistance including operating 8 food pantries, mental health services, chemical dependency treatment, educational and job readiness services, services to older adults, marriage counseling, immigration and refugee assistance and a variety of programs that address prevention and treatment of a number of family issues.

• 35 hour work week
• 14+ paid holidays for FT
• 25 PTO days a year
• Comprehensive health, dental & vision coverage
• Flexible Spending Account option
• Health Savings Account when elect a high deductible health plan
• Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 403B Retirement Plan - (may join after first pay period) with employer contribution after six months

JOB SUMMARY:

Provide clinical services to clients involved in the child welfare system in the programs of; Traditional preventive, Kinship preventive, and Refugee preventive utilizing the Solution Based Casework Model. Responsible for continued collaboration regarding client needs with Erie County Department of Social Services with a focus on child safety, permanency, and well-being.

EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Some experience with children and families, particularly those for youth involved with the child welfare system.
• Exemplify a culture of sensitivity and promote equity and inclusion.
• Possesses well developed interviewing skills
• Demonstrates agility, initiative, innovative, and ability to work independently and efficiently (effective organizational and time management skills), produce results, meet deadlines
• Demonstrates ability to engage, and maintain effective relationships with key stakeholders.
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication (oral and written) skills required.
• Fluent in various computer applications (e.g., Word, Excel) and electronic database systems

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be cleared through required background clearance
• Requires travel - must have appropriate and reliable transportation, and agency-required level of auto insurance coverage and be able to travel as needed Erie County.
• Must be prepared to work a flexible schedule in order to meet client needs that may take place outside of typical business hour

• Exemplify Catholic Charities’ mission, vision, guiding principles and policies and procedures
• Initiates contact with the client, accurately assesses service needs
• Develops treatment plans, individual, family or groups, based on accurate assessment
• Defines problem areas, with a focused diagnosis, and demonstrates incumbent’s role in treatment process
• Makes appropriate referrals and follows up
• Takes the initiative where appropriate, such as reach-out advocacy
• Maintains a working relationship with community resources for accurate service delivery
• Develops further resources as needed
• Participates in community affairs which relates to agency programs and goals
• Participates on special agency committees
• Meets quantitative expectations established by the agency
• Utilize Case Management database to input units of service.
• Utilize Connections computer system to maintain client notes
• Actively works with Department of Social services to maintain that all contract needs are being met with clients.
• Perform other duties as requested by Program Supervisor
  EDUCATION: Possess a Bachelor’s degree in social work, mental health counseling, or related field. Master’s Degree Preferred.