Youth Mental Health Counselor - Pathways Program

Monday through Friday 9am to 5:30pm

314 SW 9th Avenue, Portland, OR 97205

Transform Lives, Transform Yourself:

Are you eager to be a part of the change and care that supports youth in our community? Do you have experience that could be an assurance and lift for young people facing houselessness to help them with the skills and resources to lead healthy, independent lives? New Avenues for Youth seeks a compassionate and resilient Mental Health Counselor to join our Pathways team.

As a Mental Health Counselor, you will help teens and young adults experiencing houselessness to navigate emotional, psychological, and behavioral challenges. You will provide a safe space where youth can learn new tools to help them make positive and sustainable change in their lives.

Join New Avenues and…

Make an Impact: Provide consistent support, guidance around resources, and advocacy.
Thrive in a Supportive Team: Join a collaborative and inclusive environment where your contributions are celebrated.
Grow as a Professional: Receive ongoing clinical supervision (including specialized supervision for those seeking mental health licensure), training, mentorship, and opportunities for career advancement.
Enjoy a Robust Benefits Package: We value your well-being and offer a robust benefits package that includes:
Full health, vision, and dental insurance at zero cost to the employee (with options to cover family members), to ensure your physical and mental health are prioritized.
Generous holiday, personal, and paid time off (PTO) allowances to support your work-life balance and personal needs. Roughly five weeks of available time in year one with an additional week added in year two.
Discounted gym memberships to encourage a healthy and active lifestyle.
Access to free counseling services to help you manage stress and maintain your emotional health.

Our Commitment to Equity:

At New Avenues for Youth, we envision a community where all young people thrive. We recognize that historical inequities and intersecting forms of oppression have created barriers for many. We are unwavering in our commitment to dismantling these barriers and fostering a truly equitable space where every voice is heard and valued.

What You’ll Do:

Review mental health treatment referrals and act as a subject matter expert for New Avenues program staff during the referral process.
Provide intakes and assessments for clients admitted to the Pathways Program
Provide individual and family therapy sessions.
Complete referrals for youth needing additional care and act as a consultant for program staff seeking the appropriate level of mental health care for youth.
Complete written diagnostic assessments and impressions, treatment plans, progress notes, discharge summaries and other documentation as required.
Work closely with New Avenues Substance Abuse Treatment and Peer Support services. This will include contributing to development of SUD treatment plans.
Provide crisis intervention services as needed including referral and follow-up.
Provide follow-up and outreach services as needed.
Participate in staff meetings as needed.
Participate in quality assurance activities including chart reviews and audits.

Qualifications:

· Master’s degree in counseling, psychology, or social work required

· 1-2 years of experience conducting mental health and behavioral assessments including DSM diagnosis required.

· Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) certification through MHACBO required but may be obtained at hire.

· Valid driver's license, access to an automobile, and active auto insurance is required.

· Ability to maintain professional boundaries with youth, the community, and other staff members.

· Strong oral and written communications skills.

· Bilingual Spanish/English speaking is a plus.

Any candidate deemed viable for this position based on resources and resume submission will be contacted to participate in a screen interview to discuss interest and job compatibility. Of those screened, advancing candidates will be asked to participate in a subsequent interview or interviews to evaluate job qualifications and interest further. From this process, a hiring selection will be made. New Avenues for Youth is an equal opportunity employer.

A person in this position must be able to perform with or without accommodation the essential functions of this job including any physical requirements associated with this role. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be routinely exposed to outdoor weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. If the position may require the use of any personal protective equipment, New Avenues will have such equipment on hand for the employee’s use.

New Avenues for Youth is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Pay: $59,800.00 per year

Benefits: