Counselor Jobs in Columbus, GA (NOW HIRING)

This position is in person at schools affiliated with Fort Benning. Candidates must be local or be willing to relocate to become local and must be licensed at the independent level as a Social Worker (LCSW), Therapist (LMFT), or Mental Health Counselor (LPC).

This position has the primary responsibility of providing the full breadth of Child and Youth Behavioral (CYB) counseling services to children of all ages of military service members and their families at military installations and off military installations. These services may include non-medical counseling, training/ health and wellness presentations, consultation with parents, personnel, schools, and consultation to installation command regarding behavioral health issues affecting children and youth. CYB School counselors will be assigned to Department of Defense (DoDEA) schools and community schools and will need to have experience working in a school setting to qualify for a school position. CYB School counselors will also be assigned to youth programs, summer camps, and on demand assignments. The counselors work closely with the installation and military branch Points of Contact (POC) to assure that the program is provided within scope and meets the needs of the installation and the schools.

• Provides non-medical, short-term, solution focused, counseling directly to eligible children and youth of service members at assigned primary and secondary locations. Services include assessment, brief counseling and consultation, action planning, referral to resources (assuring linkage as appropriate), and follow-up as indicated.

• CYB counselors will also have a focus on supporting the staff and personnel of DoDEA , community schools, summer camps (if available/assigned) as well as providing parent training and guidance.

• Provides training and health and wellness presentations, participates in health fairs and other base/installation activities focused on children and youth.

• Enters counselor activity data daily through smart phone, or web application, to assure that reporting is accurate from assigned installation while maintaining confidentiality and anonymity of service/family member.

• Establishes and maintains working relationships with community resources focused on children and youth and provides appropriate linkages. Consistently visible within the school which allows MFLC services to be accessible when working with children, the counselor must abide by line of sight protocol (another adult with responsibility for the child must be able to see the counselor and child they are working with at all times).

• Partners with POC to provide CYB services in a manner that addresses the needs of the installation/facility. Develops an effective and professional working relationship with the installation/facility POC.

• Manages duty to warn and restricted reporting situations according to DoD protocol and staffs the cases with Regional Supervisor/Regional Director.

• Communicates with Regional Supervisor and participates in regular individual and group supervision, sharing information regarding trends and issues on the installations and in facilities to which they are assigned. Responds to critical incidents and special requests as directed by the POC and approved by the Office of Secretary of Defense (OSD) program manager. The CYB will flex schedule to respond to urgent requests as needed or at the request of the Regional Supervisor/Regional Director.

• Participates in regular in-services/training, Quality Improvement committees, initiatives, studies, pilot programs other contract activities as assigned/appropriate as directed by the customer and/or Magellan. This includes participation in pilot program certification and training processes, completion of activity documentation, integration of pilot activities in non-medical counseling work, and the utilization of applicable technology to complete required activities.

• All other duties as assigned.

The job duties listed above are representative and not intended to be all-inclusive of what may be expected of an employee assigned to this job. A leader may assign additional or other duties which would align with the intent of this job, without revision to the job description.

Other Job Requirements

Responsibilities

Master's Degree from an accredited Graduate Program in a Mental Health related field.
Valid unrestricted independent counseling license from a State, District of Columbia, US Territory or Commonwealth that grants authority to provide counseling services as an independent practitioner.
Less than 2 years of post-licensure clinical experience.
Demonstrate intermediate-level competencies in technology and software (i.e., Microsoft Suite, Internet navigation, Smartphone/Tablet and application navigation, video-conferencing platform navigation).
Requires ability to engage and communicate with military members or children as assigned, in order to accomplish job functions, and to respond quickly to emergent situations in any physical location on a military installation and/or within a school setting, which includes the need to traverse short and/or long distances within the base to both indoor and outdoor locations, to maneuver through rugged, outdoor or uneven locations (e.g., steep inclines, stairs, grass), and work in outdoor weather and other military base conditions. Due to the nature of working on military installations or related worksites, counselors may need to comply with various site-specific requirements to work at designated locations. For example, for some assignments, counselors will need to have certain current immunizations or vaccinations and provide record of receipt.
Ability to prove US Citizenship and must be fluent in English.
Understanding, sensitivity and empathy for service members and their families. Ability to develop trusting, helping relationships. Ability to work with individuals and families from diverse racial, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Pass a National Agency Check and Inquiries (NACI) Clearance, and an Installation Records Check (IRC), Criminal Background Check, and FBI Fingerprints Check.
Vehicle Operator's License Requirement: Unless specifically waived by the FEDSIM COR, all contractor personnel providing counseling support at Government locations shall possess a valid U.S. state vehicle operator's license. As a condition for employment under this contract, contractor personnel may be required to pass all tests for and obtain a U.S. military vehicle operator's permit for commercial sedans and similar, for use at Temporary Duty (TDY) locations, if required.
Must meet the Magellan MFLC CYB criteria for experience with children and youth and specialty in child and adolescent development/psychology. School assigned counselors must have past work experience in a school setting to qualify for assignment.

General Job Information

Title

Military and Family Life Counselor - School

Grade

MFLC Tier 2

Work Experience - Required

Clinical

Work Experience - Preferred

Education - Required

Master's - Behavioral Health, Master's - Social Work

Education - Preferred

License and Certifications - Required

Current licensure required for this position that meets State, Commonwealth or customer-specific requirements - Care Mgmt, DL - Driver License, Valid In State - Other, Must be an independently licensed behavioral health clinician - Care Mgmt

License and Certifications - Preferred

This position is included in a bargaining unit. Pay rates are specified in the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Magellan Health, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Tobacco-free workplace. EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled.
Every employee must understand, comply with and attest to the security responsibilities and security controls unique to their position; and comply with all applicable legal, regulatory, and contractual requirements and internal policies and procedures.