Counselor (Bilingual)

DISTRICT ATTORNEY-MANHATTAN; New York (NY); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The New York County District Attorney’s Office invites applications for a Counselor in its Survivor Services Unit. The counselor delivers counseling, crisis intervention, and court support to crime victims, witnesses, and families across multiple office locations, including Main, Harlem, and Washington Heights.

Responsibilities include conducting individual and group sessions, connecting clients with services, and coordinating with Assistant District Attorneys.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social work or mental health counseling with licensure in NY.
• Spanish/ Mandarin/ Cantonese/ Korean/ French fluency preferred.
• Experience with crime victims, crisis intervention, and confidential support services.

Responsibilities

• Provide counseling and therapy to crime victims, witnesses, and families.
• Explain the criminal justice system and connect clients with services.
• Conduct crisis intervention interviews and safety planning.
• Provide court accompaniment and liaison with prosecutors and detectives.

Skills

Spanish fluency

Mandarin fluency

Cantonese fluency

Korean fluency

French fluency

Crisis intervention

Interpersonal skills

Confidentiality and sensitivity

Education

Master’s degree in social work

Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling

New York State LMSW/LCSW or LMHC licensure

Job description

The New York County District Attorney’s Office has an opening for a Counselor in its Survivor Services Unit (SSB). In this position the Counselor is responsible for providing counseling and therapeutic services to assist all crime victims, witnesses, and their families. These services may include short term counseling, crisis intervention, community referrals, orientation to the criminal justice system, case status updates, and court support. Services will be provided in different office locations such as the Main Office downtown, the Harlem Office and/or the Washington Heights Office. There may be opportunity to be selected to focus in the areas of; Child victims, Men of Color, Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI), Elder abuse, Sex Crimes and Human Trafficking.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Conduct counseling/therapy sessions in either individual and/or group setting as well as mental health evaluation and concrete needs assessments to all crime victims, witnesses and families impacted by crime prosecuted by the New York County District Attorney’s Office.
• Direct engagement with all victims, witnesses, and their families including explaining the criminal justice system, connecting them with services, conducting outreach and follow up calls; maintaining on-going contact to ensure they are receiving support and services.
• Conduct crisis intervention interviews and assist with safety planning.
• Provide victim support and court accompaniment throughout the criminal justice process. Act as a liaison between victims, families, and Assistant District Attorneys and provide case status information.
• Follow up contact with all victims to monitor their connection to services.
• Ability to interact effectively with victims, witnesses, families, law enforcement officers and criminal justice personnel.
• Assist with a range of direct services such as crime victim compensation applications, emergency shelter placements, partner with DANY Advocates for additional concrete services.
• Collaborate with outside agencies to assist crime victims and facilitate referrals to appropriate agencies.
• Maintain accurate up to date case files as well as maintain statistics.
• Will rotate and sit different office locations including the Downtown Office, Harlem Office and Washington Heights when assigned.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

In addition to the Minimum Qualification Requirements, candidates must possess the following:

• Master’s degree in social work and License or;
• Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling and License; and
• New York State LMSW/LCSW or LMHC.

Preferred Requirements/Skills:

• Written and oral Spanish, or Mandarin, or Cantonese, or Korean, or French fluency.
• Experience working with domestic violence and sexual assault.
• Familiarity with the crime victims and/or criminal justice system.
• ASL proficiency.
• SIFI certified/eligible a plus.
• Ability to work overtime and flexible hours including holidays, evenings, and weekends.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to demonstrate a high level of confidentiality and sensitivity to victim issues a must.
• Ability to handle high caseload and set priorities.
• Excellent engagement, crisis intervention, and assessment skills.
• Dependable team player who works collaboratively and cooperatively with staff in a team-oriented environment.

Hours/Shift:

• Shifts could vary between, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm, 9:30 am - 5:30 pm, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm.
• Overtime may be required, including nights and weekends.

Current office employees: To be eligible for a transfer or promotion, staff must have already served at least one (1) year in their current unit/bureau/department and be in good standing. In addition, must meet the minimum and additional qualifications of the position.

Authorization to work in the United States is required for this position.

COMMUNITY ASSOCIATE - 56057

Minimum Qualifications

Qualification Requirements 1. High school graduation or equivalent and three years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to duties described above; or 2. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" above.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

Residency Requirement

City Residency is not required for this position

Additional Information

• The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.