Children's Counselor

New Orleans Family Justice Center; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

The NOFJC is seeking a Children’s Counselor to deliver culturally appropriate mental health services for children aged 0-5 and their families in New Orleans. You will conduct assessments, develop treatment plans, and lead individual and group sessions on-site across emergency shelters, transitional housing, and the main facility.

Collaborating with parents, educators, and a multidisciplinary team, you will maintain thorough clinical documentation, participate in supervision, and engage families

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or related field.
• Current state license as PLPC/LPC, LMSW/LCSW, or LMFT; supervision available.
• Minimum 1–2 years providing mental health services to children.
• Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills with parents and onsite partners.
• Ability to deliver trauma-informed, culturally responsive care.
• Evening/weekend availability for children’s programming.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group counseling to children aged 0-5 and their families.
• Evaluates client needs and formulates long and short-term service plans.
• Maintains a minimum caseload of 15-20 clients.
• Facilitate therapeutic groups (social skills, emotional regulation, play therapy) by developmental stage.
• Collaborate with parents, caregivers, and multidisciplinary teams for coordinated care.
• Maintain accurate clinical documentation per agency and licensing requirements.
• Deliver trauma-informed therapy and support for Camp Hope and Pathways programs.
• Complete 40 hours of domestic violence and sexual assault training within the first year.
• Works as a team member with NOFJC and partner agencies.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Verbal communication

Cultural competence

Trauma-informed care

Team collaboration

Evening/weekend availability

Education

Master’s degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or related field

Current state license: PLPC/LPC, LMSW/LCSW, or LMFT

Job description

Job Summary

The Children’s Counselor provides culturally appropriate counseling services, supporting emotional, behavioral, and developmental needs for children and their families. This role involves conducting assessments, creating individualized treatment plans, facilitating therapy sessions, and collaborating with parents, educators, and community resources. This role will require on-site services at our emergency shelter, transitional living facility, and the main facility (all within the city limits). The counselor will be expected to utilize their clinical skills to engage children and their families in treatment and other agency programs to promote sustainability upon program completion. Participation in Camp Hope (a one-week children’s camp located outside of state) is also required.

Specific Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group counseling services to a specialized group of children (ages 0-5) and their families
• Evaluates client needs and formulates a long and short-term service plan.
• Maintains a minimum case load of 15-20 clients
• Facilitate therapeutic groups, including social skills, emotional regulation, and play therapy groups, tailored to developmental stages.
• Collaborate with parents, caregivers, and multidisciplinary teams to ensure coordinated care and culturally responsive practices.
• Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation in accordance with agency and licensing requirements.
• Provide psychoeducation and resources to families to promote healthy attachment and child development at the agency’s emergency shelter and transitional housing facilities
• Attend bi-weekly supervision with Supervisor and weekly Children’s Services tam meetings
• Participate in ongoing training to maintain best practices in early childhood therapy through continuing education.
• Deliver trauma-informed therapy and emotional support to children participating in Pathways and Camp Hope programming
• Attend Camp Hope (one-week children’s camp out of state)
• Documentation of case notes, informed consents, completed assessments in Empower database
• Attend meetings and trainings as requested by the Director of Children’s Services
• Complete 40 hours of domestic violence and sexual assault training provided by the NOFJC within the first year of employment.
• Works as a team member with the other collaborative partners at the NOFJC
• Performs other job-related duties and responsibilities as deemed necessary

Minimum Requirements

• Master’s degree in Counseling, Social Work, Psychology, or related mental health field
• Current state license as PLPC/LPC, LMSW/LCSW, LMFT; supervision available for associates
• Minimum 1-2 years providing mental health services to children
• Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills will be comfortable with working with parents and onsite partners.
• Ability to deliver trauma-informed, culturally responsive care
• Ability to communicate effectively with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
• Must be punctual, reliable, and a team player; must be able to work evenings/weekends as needed for children’s programming activities

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual (spoken and written)
• Advanced training or certification in play therapy, infant mental health, or trauma-focused interventions (e.g. TF-CBT, CPRT, RPT, AUT-play, EMDR, etc.)
• Proven ability to develop and lead therapeutic groups for children and caregivers
• Familiarity with ACE and resilience-building frameworks

Salary

$50,000-$ 56,000. Excellent benefits package.

Location: New Orleans Family Justice Center

New Orleans Family Justice Center

Children’s Counsel

Department: Children’s Services

Reports To: Department Director

Reporting Relationship: Director of Children Services, New Orleans Family Justice Center

NOFJC is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or national origin. NOFJC is committed to building a diverse staff and strongly encourages applications from racial and religious minorities, all gender identities, people living with disabilities, and veterans