Ready to make a positive impact in the lives of children, youth and families? Join our team as a Family Counselor at the Gathering Place. As a Family Counselor you will provide a safe, comfortable, and family-friendly environment where referred parents and children who have been separated can complete their visits and receive a range of services including therapeutic, supervised, and observed visitation. The Gathering Place Family Counselor works with children and families involved in the child welfare system. As a Family Counselor, you are responsible for promoting positive parenting skills and supporting families during supervised and observed visits. This is a full-time time role working with a dynamic team.
The Gathering Place is a collaborative project between Alternative Family Services (AFS), Alameda County Social Services Agency, and Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services. The Gathering Place is committed to maintaining family attachments during the difficult period of separation. It offers a continuum of services that eliminates obstacles to visitation while promoting positive family interactions. Alameda County Department of Child and Family Services’ goals for families are to increase timely reunification and reduce re-entry rates into the child welfare system.
About Alternative Family Services
Alternative Family Services is a Foster Family, Adoption and Mental Health Agency that has been serving abused and neglected children in our community since 1973. Our mission is to support vulnerable children and families in need of stability, safety, and well-being in communities. We provide a wide range of foster, adoption, mental health and transition-aged youth services in English and Spanish. We have eight locations throughout the Bay Area and over 200 employees. We celebrate diversity, equal opportunity, and excellence.
Responsibilities
Supervise and monitor visits with children and families
Provide a variety of interventions to promote positive parenting skills, including, but not limited to, coaching, skill building, and supportive feedback
Document all services related to visits and submit to CPS
Transport children to and from visits
Perform other duties as assigned
Needed Upon Hire
Associate’s degree or related work experience
Solid understanding of family dynamics, child, and adolescent development
Experience working with families and at-risk youth
Bilingual in Spanish/English a plus
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Proven track record of working successfully with diverse cultural populations
Ability to obtain fingerprint and government required background clearances
Driving Requirements
This position requires the employee to work out in the community and within foster homes throughout the Bay Area. Thus, position requires employee to possess a valid CA driver’s license and valid automobile insurance with his/her name on the verification card as an insured driver on the policy at all times. Position requires daily access to a car in safe working order.
We Offer
A professional and supportive work environment
$24-$25/hour
IRS standard mileage reimbursement
Generous Sick Time accrual
Full-time staff receive a benefits package which includes:
Medical
Dental
Vision
Chiropractic & Acupuncture
Flex-spending options
Life and disability insurance
403(b) option
Over 7 weeks time off annually! (11 vacation days the first year – accruals starting on your 1st day and progress up to 20 days a year! 12 paid holidays including your birthday off & 12 sick days annually!)
AFS makes substantial monthly contributions on your behalf to keep out of pocket premiums at an all time low!
Other than all legally mandated benefits (such as paid sick leave, worker’s compensation insurance, and social security) there are no benefits affiliated with this position.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of Ancestry, Age, Color, Disability, Genetic Information, Gender, Gender Identity, Gender expression, Marital status, Medical condition, Military or veteran status, National origin, Race, Religion, Sex and Sexual orientation.
Seniority level
Entry level
Employment type
Full-time
Job function
Health Care Provider
Industries
Individual and Family Services
Referrals increase your chances of interviewing at Alternative Family Services by 2x