Non-Medical Clinical Counselor (Developmental)

Duties

The duties of a Developmental position include but are not limited to:

• Provide information and referral, education and training, primary prevention, counseling and advocacy to facilitate achieving operational readiness and personal and family self-sufficiency.
• Receive and assess referrals made by military and civilian agencies for individuals, couples, families, and groups experiencing situational stressors, including deployment, grief, relocation, separation, relationship issues, parent/child issues, family hardships, and other military life challenges.
• Develop and execute short-term, solution focused NMC clinical counseling treatment plans for those individuals who request such services and who present with commonly occurring life circumstance issues or adjustment disorders.
• Provide direct, short term, solution focused NMC counseling services using psychotherapeutic techniques, such as cognitive therapy, solution-focused brief therapy, family systems therapy, expressive therapies, etc.
• Coordinate with legal, medical and social services including commands, to assist in counseling and referrals, as needed.
• Comply with reporting protocols for high-risk cases including suicide risk, homicide, domestic abuse, and child abuse. Identify crisis situations (e.g., suicide or homicide risk) when conducting clinical assessments, and provide immediate crisis intervention, conduct risk assessments, and prepare and/or coordinate safety planning per best practices in the mental health community.
• Represent the Navy at community liaison meetings, educating on domestic violence risk/protective factors, collaborating on coordinating services for military members and their families, and engaging in community domestic violence prevention and awareness activities to establish or strengthen relationships with other agencies serving the target population.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• The incumbent must meet the qualification requirements for Tier II clinical providers described in SECNAVINST 1754.8, "Credentials Review and Clinical Privileging of Clinical Providers within Department of the Navy Family Readiness Program."
• This position is designated as Non-Critical Sensitive. Incumbents must obtain and maintain a determination of eligibility for Secret security clearance of access for the duration of employment, including a background investigation and credit check.
• This position requires Temporary Duty (TDY) or business travel approximately 10% of time away from the regular duty station to attend or provide training, conduct FFSP certification visits, or deliver services aboard ships.
• The position may require working flexible hours, such as 0700-1500 or 0900-1800 to accommodate client's needs to have after hour care.
• This position requires routine on-site access to government facilities. The incumbent may perform the required tasks at an off-site location for situational telework only.
• This position requires the incumbent to have a valid, state-issued driver's license.

Qualifications

• Must be able to obtain clinical privileges or credentialing in accordance with Service Family Advocacy Program headquarters policies.

• Must have knowledge and understanding of military lifestyles to include frequent separations and high stress working environments that have an extensive impact on individuals and their families.
• Must have the ability to recognize, identify and assess mental disorders per the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual.

• Must have the ability to apply family systems, brief solution-focused therapy and diagnostic skills that are needed in order to successfully interview clients.
• Knowledge of family violence treatment principles for victims and offenders is highly desirable.

• Must be able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

• Must meet Federal Employment suitability requirements and successful completion of background investigation. (Background Investigations are conducted using fingerprint identification and completion of background inquiry forms.)
• Clinicians without a state license will be considered Tier I. All their case notes will be signed off by the Counseling and Advocacy Program Supervisor (CAPS) or another Tier III clinician until licensed. (Unlicensed clinicians will be paid at the GS-9 equivalent rate.)
• Once licensed, a credentialing/privileging request will be sent to CNIC for the Tier II level (those who have been licensed less than two years). Once credentialed/privileged at the Tier II level, sign off of all case notes by the CAPS or another Tier III will no longer be required. Based upon satisfactory performance evaluation ratings, Licensed clinicians will be advanced to the pay rate equivalent to a GS-12.

Education

Master's degree or post graduate degree in one of the following fields: Marriage and Family Therapy, Social Work, or Psychology (PsyD or PhD) from an accredited program.

The highest State licensure in good standing in a state that authorizes independent clinical practice must be obtained within 180 days of employment.

All clinical internship hours must be completed and signed off by previous supervisor(s).

Two years of experience working in the field of child abuse and domestic abuse.

Additional information

Work is primarily sedentary; however, the incumbent may be required to carry objects weighing up to 25 pounds, including files, books, reference materials, audio-visual equipment, etc.
Some positions have special requirements. Selectee may be required to complete a one (1) year probationary period. Participation in Direct Deposit/Electronic Fund Transfer within the first 30 days of employment is required. We utilize E-Verify to confirm selectee's eligibility to work in the United States. Salary is dependent on experience and/or education.

DON is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, genetic information, reprisal, marital status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or any other non-merit factor. The DON provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities.Participation in the Direct Deposit/Electronic Fund Transfer within 30 days of employment is required.