Support Counselor

Seneca Family of Agencies; Oakland (CA); Hybrid; USD 37,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mileage reimbursements

Paid time off

Holidays

Benefits package

403b retirement

EAP

PSLF

Scholarships

Training opportunities

Promotional opportunities

Job summary

Seneca Family of Agencies in Oakland, CA, seeks a Youth Counselor to provide life-changing support, counseling, and crisis intervention within Alameda Connections, a wraparound program for children from birth to 10 and their families.

You will work as part of a multidisciplinary team delivering trauma-informed, culturally responsive services in the community, with a hybrid schedule including in-person and remote documentation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent required, or 1 year of relevant experience with an associate degree.
• Experience delivering family-centered mental health counseling.
• Trauma-informed, culturally responsive practice preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide counseling and case management for youth and families.
• Connect families to community resources and supports.
• Provide crisis intervention in homes, schools, or community locations.
• Participate in treatment reviews and IEP meetings when needed.
• Complete documentation and service tracking appropriately.
• Assist with transportation and scheduling for appointments and hearings.
• Attend team meetings and trainings, maintain flexible schedule.
• Provide crisis phone support as scheduled.

Skills

Counseling

Case management

Crisis intervention

Trauma-informed

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Associate degree + 1 year experience

High School Diploma + 2 years experience

Job description

Passionate about helping kids and families? Join us as a Youth Counselor and provide life-changing support, counseling, and crisis intervention where it matters most—right in your community.

The Support Counselor provides family-centered mental health counseling, support, crisis intervention, and case management services for youth and their families. This role is part of Alameda Connections, a wraparound program serving children ages 0–10 and their families, and is specifically focused on supporting young children from birth through age 10 who may be experiencing behavioral, emotional, developmental, or family-related challenges. Support Counselors are members of a multidisciplinary team and provide trauma-informed, culturally responsive services in the community at times and locations convenient to the family.

About Seneca

Seneca Family of Agencies has been nominated among the Bay Area’s Top Workplaces for several consecutive years. We’re committed to providing traditionally marginalized communities with a network of excellent mental health, community-based, and educational services. We are committed to building a diverse staff. Our programs deeply engage in conversations and training on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to bring equity and justice to the youth and families we serve.

Responsibilities

• Provide counseling and case management services for enrolled youth and their families.
• Support client and family to connect to natural supports and community-based resources.
• Provide crisis intervention and other mental health services as needed at client homes, schools, and other community locations.
• Participate in all treatment reviews, program staff meetings, and Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings when necessary.
• Complete mental health notes and other paperwork, and complete service tracking documentation as indicated.
• Assist with planning arrangements and transportation for school, therapy appointments, and court hearings as needed.
• Attend team meetings, weekly trainings, individual and group supervisions, and adhere to clinical best practices.
• Maintain a flexible work schedule.
• Participate in providing crisis phone support as scheduled.
• Utilize crisis communication and de‑scalation techniques as per Seneca's crisis response training.

Qualifications

• Education/Experience Requirements:
  • Bachelor’s degree OR
  • Associate degree or equivalent + 1 year of applicable experience OR
  • High School Diploma/GED + 2 years of applicable experience may be accepted in programs that do not have a written contract requiring a Bachelor’s degree as a minimum education level.
  • Applicable experience can include paid or unpaid experience working with youth or families or working in the social services field.
• At least 21 years of age.
• TB test clearance, fingerprinting clearance, and any other state/federal licensing or certification requirements.
• Valid driver's license, clean driving record, and insurability through Seneca Family of Agencies’ insurance policy.

Preferred

• Experience working with children/youth and families with complex and enduring needs
• Experience implementing family-focused services

Schedule

• Full‑time; Monday - Friday 9am-5:30pm
• Hybrid; provide in‑person services, able to complete documentation remotely.

Benefits

• Starting at $27.01- $29.51 per hour
  • Actual salary is dependent on creditable experience above the minimum qualifications for the role
  • Salary increases each year
• Mileage reimbursements
• 5 weeks of Paid Time off and 11 Paid Holidays
• Comprehensive benefits package:
  • Medical, dental, vision, chiropractic, acupuncture, and fertility coverage
  • 50% paid premiums for dependents
  • Long‑term disability, family leave, and life insurance
  • 403b Retirement Plan
  • Employer‑paid Employee Assistance Plan
• Seneca is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness certified employer
• Scholarship opportunities, ongoing training, and professional development opportunities
• Promotional opportunities across the agency in California and Washington