Counselor (Bilingual)

City of New York; New York (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

New York County District Attorney’s Office seeks a Counselor in the Survivor Services Unit to provide counseling and crisis intervention for crime victims and their families. The role involves coordinating with law enforcement and attorneys, offering court support, and linking clients to needed services across downtown, Harlem, and Washington Heights locations.

The position requires a Master’s in social work or mental health counseling with licensure and NYS licensure.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree with LMSW/LCSW or LMHC licensure required.
• Experience with crime victims, domestic violence or sexual assault preferred.
• Familiarity with criminal justice processes and victim services.
• Fluency in Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, or French is desirable.
• ASL proficiency a plus.
• Ability to handle high caseload with confidentiality and sensitivity.
• Flexible schedule including holidays, evenings, and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Provide counseling/therapy sessions (individual and/or group) and conduct assessments.
• Engage with victims, witnesses and families; explain the criminal justice system and connect to services.
• Perform crisis intervention interviews and safety planning.
• Provide court accompaniment and liaison with ADS and staff.
• Maintain case files and statistics; rotate across offices as assigned.
• Collaborate with external agencies to assist victims and referrals.

Skills

Bilingual fluency (Spanish)

ASL proficiency

Crisis intervention

Interpersonal communication

Confidentiality & sensitivity

Victims/criminal justice experience

Education

Master’s degree in social work and license

Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling and license

New York State LMSW/LCSW or LMHC

Job description

New York County District Attorney’s Office – Counselor, Survivor Services Unit (SSB)

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.

• 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.

Minimum Qualifications

• 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.

Additional Information

• 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

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.

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.