MFLC Assignment Ready Counselor (Florida Panhandle)

Magellan Health; Fort Walton Beach (FL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Magellan Health is seeking an MFLC Assignment Ready Counselor in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. This role involves providing critical non-medical counseling services to military personnel and their families amidst varying assignment requirements, including seasonal responsibilities. The ideal candidate will possess a Master's Degree in Behavioral Health or Social Work and is adaptable to diverse working environments while maintaining a strong commitment to confidentiality.

The successful candidate will engage with clients on military installations, participating in health and wellness activities, and ensuring high-quality support through flexibility and a responsive approach.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree from an accredited graduate program in a mental health related field.
• Ability to quickly engage with military members, families, and children.
• Adaptable to new working conditions and varied location rules.

Responsibilities

• Provides non-medical, short-term counseling to service members and their families.
• Participates in health fairs and provides presentations.
• Maintains accurate reporting of counselor activities.

Skills

Brief therapy methods

Solution-focused counseling

Ability to engage with military families

Adaptability to varied locations and conditions

Education

Master’s Degree in a mental health related field

Tools

Smartphone and web applications for data entry

Job description

This position requires you to be licensed at the independent level in any state as a Mental Health Counselor, Therapist, or Social Worker. This position would work in support of On Demand Events, Surges, Summer Camps, and Backfills supporting the MFLC program.

The Assignment Ready Counselor (ARC) will provide coverage in short-term, surge, and on-demand situations resulting from Military needs such as post-deployment events or to cover an existing assignment for counselors who are absent. The Summer ARC counselor position covers assignments during the May 15th through September 15th time period, coinciding with the school summer break. With minimal guidance and oversight, the ARC provides the full breadth of Adult or Child and Youth Behavioral (CYB) counseling services to military service members and their families at military installations. These services may include non‑medical counseling, training and health and wellness presentations, consultation with parents, personnel at child daycare centers and schools, and consultation to installation command regarding behavioral health issues affecting military personnel and their family members. ARC CYB counselors may be assigned to DoDEA schools and community schools and will need to have experience working in a school setting to qualify for the ARC role in backing up a school position. CYB counselors may also be assigned to youth programs, summer camps, and on‑demand assignments. ARC adult counselors may be assigned to support MFLC services in a variety of military community and readiness centers, as well as on‑demand and surge assignments. The counselors work closely with the installation and military branch Points of Contact (POC) to assure that the program is provided within scope and meets the needs of the installation.

Responsibilities

• Provides non-medical, short‑term, solution-focused counseling directly to adults, children, and youth of service members. Services include assessment, brief counseling and consultation, action planning, referral to resources (assuring linkage as appropriate), and follow-up as indicated.
• CYB counselors also focus on supporting the staff and personnel of CDCs, DoDEA and community schools, youth programs and summer camps as well as providing parent training and guidance.
• Provides training and health and wellness presentations, participates in health fairs and other base/installation activities.
• Enters counselor activity data daily through smartphone or web application, ensuring accurate reporting from the assigned installation while maintaining confidentiality and anonymity of service/family members.

The job duties listed above are representative and not intended to be all-inclusive of what may be expected of an employee assigned to this job. A leader may assign additional or other duties which would align with the intent of this job, without revision to the job description.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree from an accredited graduate program in a mental health related field, or social work.
• Willingness to accept assignments of undefined periods to include weekends on short notice.
• Capable of covering on a full‑time basis assignments ranging from a weekend to two weeks.
• Quickly builds rapport with service personnel clients, family members, students, parents and co‑workers.
• Adaptable to new working conditions, varying location rules, etc.; adjusts working style to align with each work environment.
• Able to work effectively with minimal instruction and guidance.
• Listens carefully to instructions provided.
• Willing to participate in regular in‑services/training, Quality Improvement committees or other contract activities as assigned with minimal notice.
• Ability to quickly engage and communicate with military members, spouses or children to accomplish job functions and respond rapidly to emergent situations in any physical location on a military installation and/or within a school setting, including traversing short and/or long distances within the base to both indoor and outdoor locations, maneuvering through rugged, outdoor or uneven locations (e.g., steep inclines, stairs, grass), and working in outdoor weather and other military base conditions.
• Ability to prove U.S. Citizenship and must be fluent in English.
• Advanced knowledge of brief therapy and solution-focused counseling methods.
• Prior military service/military family member and/or strong familiarity with military culture desired.
• For CYB positions must meet the Magellan MFLC CYB criteria for experience with children and youth and specialty in child and adolescent development/psychology.
• Creates a presence on the installation in which the service and family members feel comfortable approaching the counselor and recognize the program to be confidential; for CYB counselors creates a presence in child and youth settings, is available to children, youth, and staff. When working with children, counselor must abide by line of site protocol.
• Establishes and maintains working relationships with community resources and provides appropriate linkages.
• Partners with POC to provide Adult and CYB services in a manner that addresses the needs of the installation/facility. Develops an excellent working relationship with the installation/facility POC.
• Manages duty to warn and restricted reporting situations according to DoD protocol and staffs the cases with Regional Supervisor/Regional Director.
• Communicates with Regional Supervisors and participates in regular individual and group supervision, sharing information regarding trends and issues on the installations and in facilities to which they are assigned for substitute or on‑call services.
• Responds to critical incidents and special requests as directed by the POC and approved by the OSD program manager.

General Job Information

Title: MFLC Assignment Ready Counselor (Florida Panhandle)

Grade: MFLC ARC

Work Experience – Required: Clinical

Work Experience – Preferred: None specified

Education – Required: Master’s in Behavioral Health, Master’s in Social Work

Education – Preferred: None specified

License and Certifications – Required: Current licensure that meets State, Commonwealth or customer-specific requirements, including independent licensure as a behavioral health clinician (e.g., LPC, LIC, or equivalent); current Driver License; valid in‑state ID; and other certifications (e.g., Care Management).

License and Certifications – Preferred: None specified

This is a Service Contract Act (SCA) covered position. The pay rate and health and welfare allowance are specified in the applicable wage determination agreement.

Magellan Health, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Tobacco-free workplace. EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled.

Every employee must understand, comply with and attest to the security responsibilities and security controls unique to their position; and comply with all applicable legal, regulatory, and contractual requirements and internal policies and procedures.