COUNSELOR
JOB DESCRIPTION
Mission Statement: The mission of Sexual Trauma Awareness & Response® (STAR®) is to support survivors of sexual trauma, improve systems response, and create social change to end sexual violence.
Position Summary: The Counselor is responsible for providing individual and group counseling to sexual trauma survivors and their loved ones. Other duties may include the supervision and training of staff/volunteers/interns that support the program.
Classification: 40 hours/week (Full-time/Exempt)
Reports to: Counseling Director
Supervises: Counseling Interns
Home Office: Alexandria Branch
Salary and Benefits: Base pay range is $45,000 - $49,000; additional compensation will depend on education, knowledge, and experience. Our benefits include:
● Paid Time Off (PTO) and Extended Leave Bank (ELB): Full-time employees will receive 8 hours of PTO and 2 hours of ELB each pay period, which accumulates to 24 days of PTO and 6 days of ELB annually. These benefits can be used for personal and medical leave.
● Paid Holidays: We offer 15 paid holidays throughout the year, including Mardi Gras.
● Health Care Coverage: Full-time employees are eligible for health care coverage after two full calendar months of employment. Our comprehensive coverage includes medical, dental, and vision insurance provided through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana. STAR covers 70% of your monthly premium. Additionally, STAR contributes annually to the Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) to help cover medical expenses applied to an employee's Blue Cross Blue Shield deductible.
● Group Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance: STAR pays 100% of the employee-only premium for all full-time employees, providing coverage for Life and AD&D insurance up to $25,000.
● Professional Development Support: We value the growth and development of our employees. Therefore, STAR reimburses costs associated with professional licensure expenses. Additionally, STAR provides 32 hours of work time for professional development training each year.
● Mileage and Travel Reimbursement: Employees receive mileage and travel reimbursement for work-related travel each month at the Louisiana State Mileage Rate. We understand the importance of compensating you for your business-related expenses.
● Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Our EAP provides free short-term therapy and support to employees and their loved ones, ensuring access to mental health resources when needed.
● Retirement Program: Employees have the opportunity to enroll in our 403b retirement program through Mutual of America. This program enables you to save for your future and plan for a comfortable retirement.
Please note that the benefits mentioned above are subject to eligibility criteria, terms, and conditions outlined in the company's benefits policy.
Position Duties
In order to provide a comprehensive understanding of this position, this description categorizes tasks by their function on a daily, weekly, monthly, etc. basis. Tasks may be added or omitted as the organization’s funding or priorities change. Position duties are reviewed and updated as needed with the employee and supervisor at least annually.
Daily
● Clock-in and clock-out using the organization’s online timekeeping system
● Provide individual counseling to survivors
● Provide daily reminder calls/ emails (when needed)
● Complete psychosocial assessments for new clients
● Documentation of all client interactions
● Complete case management of clients (following up with no-show’s, calling new intakes, scheduling matters, looking up referral agencies)
Weekly
● Facilitate group therapy sessions
● Participate in weekly team meetings
● Participate in supervision for licensure (while working towards licensure)
● Complete treatment plans for clients (when needed)
Semi-Monthly
● Submit timecard
Monthly
● Submit Time & Effort Form
● Participate in 1-1 meetings with Counseling Director
● Participate in agency-wide staff meeting
Annually
● Participate in performance review with Counseling Director
● Assist with policy and procedure revision as requested
● Complete at least 20 hours of continuing education either in person or online to keep up with best practices
As Needed
● Follow up for requests for counseling information from clients, agencies and other practitioners
● Respond to third party requests
● Answer crisis hotline calls
● Develop activities and events to engage survivors
● Collaborate with other agencies to increase services for survivors
● Submit new strategy proposals
● Submit mandated reports to DCFS and/or law enforcement
● Community outreach
● Facilitate community trainings
● Develop psychoeducational materials on various topics related to sexual trauma for use with clients, community partners, and the general public
Qualifications for this Position
The following are the minimum requirements for this position.
● You are a licensed social worker (LMSW or LCSW) or licensed professional counselor (PLPC or LPC) in the State of Louisiana and have a minimum of a Master’s Degree in one or more of the following: mental health counseling, social work or related field. Social workers or counselors must have regular supervision, consultation and/or review of cases, preferably by a psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, or professional counselor, who is licensed in the state of Louisiana.
● You have at least one year of experience providing individual and group counseling sessions to children, adolescents and adults in a clinical setting.
● You have experience working in the field of trauma and understand the basic tenets of trauma informed practices.
● You are knowledgeable about the principles of sound therapeutic practices with survivors of sexual trauma, including working with the continuum of sexual trauma services.
● You are able to travel throughout STAR’s service areas
Requirements for all Positions at STAR
STAR expects the following qualities for the members of our team.
● You are committed to carrying out STAR’s mission, vision and philosophy.
● You adhere to STAR’s core values, policies and procedures.
● You value differences, recognizing that different perspectives and cultural diversity make the world a better place to be.
● You uphold the highest ethical standards and respect for confidentiality.
● You communicate effectively, problem solve, and work well with people from diverse backgrounds.
● You know how to secure and deploy resources both effectively and efficiently.
● You build strong relationships, and you deliver effective client and survivor-centric solutions.
● You have strong writing skills and maintain quality documentation free of grammatical and spelling errors.
● You display professionalism with clients and co-workers.
● You take care of yourself by knowing your personal limitations, communicating your needs to others, and asking for help when needed.
● You can handle multiple tasks simultaneously and have excellent organizational skills.
● You can identify and respond to shifting priorities.
● You are committed to learning and growing both professionally and personally.
● You consent to and successfully complete a full background investigation, which includes a criminal history check and fingerprinting.
● You have completed, or will complete in the first year of employment, a mandatory 40 hours of sexual violence training; plus 20 hours of continuing education/training annually.
● You have a valid driver’s license and a working, insured vehicle at the time of appointment.
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Signature Date
Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, mental or physical disabilities, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, weight, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. All employment decisions shall be consistent with the principles of equal opportunity employment. Accommodations to enable all individuals to participate in the application process may be provided upon advance request.
