Support Counselor

Are you passionate about supporting students and creating transformative experiences with youth in a 1 on 1 capacity? 

ABOUT THE ROLE 

Seneca’s Bridges services program is hiring for a Support Counselor who will work on a multi-disciplinary team to provide behaviorally focused mental health services to children and families receiving Special Education support through their local school district. As a Support Counselor, you will provide mental health counseling, coaching, crisis intervention, and academic support services to children and families. Support Counselors at Bridges services are members of a treatment team, and provide 1:1, individualized services to students who need additional support to reach academic goals. Services may be provided, in the classroom, a quiet individual workspace, or community as appropriate for the student. When not assigned a 1:1 student, Bridges Mental Health Counselors will work as Counselors at other Seneca Non-Public-School sites to guide elementary to high school students to success at in Oakland, CA.  Support Counselors are integrated into the community where you will provide healing-centered individual and family therapy, case-management services and conduct mental health assessments. You will also have the opportunity to collaborate with caregivers, teachers, and counselors to ensure and celebrate the success of youth and families.

ABOUT BRIDGES

Seneca’s Bridges Services is a unique, short-term intervention program that supports students across Seneca’s four Non-Public-School (NPS) campuses who need a highly individualized, relationship-centered environment to re-engage in learning. Bridges Services offers a calm, supportive setting serving K–12 students with high staff-to-student ratios. Our flexible, multidisciplinary approach allows us to meet students where they are—whether they need stabilization, a step-down from a more intensive setting, or time to reset and heal—so they can build the skills and confidence to return to a less restrictive environment. The name “Bridges” reflects our purpose: helping students move from where they are to where they want to be. If you're passionate about equity, collaboration, and showing up for students in their hardest moments, Bridges offers a meaningful place to do powerful work.  

ABOUT SENECA

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

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with teachers, therapists, and other specialists to deliver integrated support
• Build therapeutic relationships that help students engage and achieve personalized goals
• Support academic instruction by assisting with individual and group activities as directed
• Implement classroom modifications and accommodations based on student’s individualized education plans (IEP) and other plans
• Deliver direct behavioral intervention that reduces behaviors impeding school success and promotes positive behaviors for learning and community participation
• Maintain a safe environment by supervising students effectively at all times
• Utilize crisis communication and de-escalation techniques as per Seneca's crisis response training
• • This may include intervening with the students’ behavioral program through physical management of the student
• Foster a positive school culture by participating in activities that celebrate success and promote joy.
• Communicate effectively with families and all others involved in the daily life of the student, including other Seneca programs or outside agencies
• Complete required data collection and service documentation to measure the effectiveness of services, inform team decision making, and/or engage in service billing 

Qualifications

• Education/Experience requirements:
• • Bachelor's degree OR
  • Associate degree and one year of relevant experience OR
  • High school diploma and two years of relevant experience
  • Applicable experience is defined as working with youth in a mental health or classroom-facing capacity
• Own vehicle required, Valid California driver's license and insurability with Seneca's automobile policy
• Ability to transport students to/from home and community outings required
• At least 21 years of age
• TB test clearance, fingerprinting clearance, and any other state/federal licensing or certification requirements

Schedule

• Schedule:
• • Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM- 5:00 PM
  • Travel throughout Alameda County is required
• 5 weeks of paid time off, 11 paid holidays, and 14 paid school break days 

Benefits

• Starting at $27.01-$29.51 per hour
• • Actual salary dependent on creditable experience above the minimum qualifications
  • Salary increases each year
  • Additional compensation provided upon passing a bilingual language proficiency exam
• Comprehensive employee benefits package:
• • Medical, dental, vision, chiropractic, acupuncture, and fertility coverage
  • Short and long-term disability, family leave, and life insurance
  • Partially paid premiums for dependents
  • 403b retirement plan
  • Employer-Paid Assistance Plan
• 5 weeks of paid time off, 11 paid holidays, and 14 paid school break days
• Mileage reimbursement for on job travel
• Seneca is a Public Service Loan Forgiveness certified employer
• Abundant promotional opportunities across California
• Specialized training and development opportunities along with up to $2500 in scholarships and partially paid MSW, MFT and SpEd credential