Military and Family Life Counselor, Short Term Assignments – On Demand

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Michigan.

📋 Description

• The Assignment Ready Counselor (ARC) will deliver coverage in short-term, surge, and on-demand situations that arise from military needs, such as post-deployment events or to fill in for absent counselors.

• The Summer ARC counselor role encompasses assignments from May 15th to September 15th, aligning with the summer break for schools.

• With limited guidance and oversight, the counselor will offer a comprehensive range of Adult or Child and Youth Behavioral (CYB) counseling services to military personnel and their families at military installations.

• These services may involve non-medical counseling, health and wellness training presentations, consultations with parents, staff at child daycare centers and schools, and advice to installation command on behavioral health issues impacting military personnel and their families.

• ARC CYB counselors may be placed in DoDEA schools and community schools and should possess experience in a school environment to qualify for the ARC role as a backup for school positions.

• CYB counselors might also be assigned to youth programs, summer camps, and other on-demand roles.

• ARC adult counselors may be designated to support MFLC services across various military community and readiness centers, as well as in on-demand and surge situations.

• The counselors collaborate closely with the installation and military branch Points of Contact (POC) to ensure that the program is delivered within its scope and meets the installation's needs.

• They provide non-medical, short-term, solution-focused counseling directly to adults, children, and youth of service members.

• Services include assessment, brief counseling and consultations, action planning, referrals to resources (ensuring appropriate linkage), and follow-up as needed.

• CYB counselors will also focus on supporting the staff and personnel of CDCs, DoDEA, community schools, youth programs, and summer camps, along with offering parent training and guidance.

• They provide training and wellness presentations and participate in health fairs and other base/installation activities.

• Counselors will enter activity data daily via smartphone or web applications to ensure accurate reporting from the assigned installation while maintaining the confidentiality and anonymity of service members and their families.

• The duties listed above are representative and not exhaustive of what may be expected of an employee in this role.

• A leader may assign additional or different duties that align with the job's intent without modifying the job description.

⛳️ Requirements

• A Master's Degree from an accredited graduate program in a mental health-related field or social work is required.

• Must be willing to accept assignments with short notice, including weekends.

• Capable of covering full-time assignments of varying lengths, ranging from a weekend to two weeks.

• Ability to quickly establish rapport with military personnel, clients, family members, students, parents, and colleagues.

• Adaptable to new working conditions and varying location rules, adjusting working style to fit each environment.

• Must work effectively with minimal instruction and guidance.

• Listens attentively to provided instructions.

• Willing to participate in regular in-services/training, Quality Improvement committees, or other contract activities as assigned, often with little notice.

• Requires the ability to swiftly engage with military members, spouses, or children as needed to fulfill job functions and respond promptly to emergent situations in any military installation or school setting, which may include traversing both short and long distances within the base, maneuvering through rugged outdoor or uneven terrain (e.g., steep inclines, stairs, grass), and working in various outdoor weather conditions and other military base environments.

• Counselors may need to comply with site-specific requirements to work at designated locations due to the nature of working on military installations or related worksites.

• For certain assignments, counselors must have specific current immunizations or vaccinations and provide proof of receipt.

• Must demonstrate US Citizenship and be fluent in English.

• Advanced knowledge of brief therapy and solution-focused counseling techniques is essential.

• Previous military service/military family background and/or strong familiarity with military culture is preferred.

• For CYB positions, candidates must meet the Magellan MFLC CYB criteria for experience with children and youth, along with a specialization in child and adolescent development/psychology.

🏝️ Benefits

• Current licensure is required for this position, meeting State, Commonwealth, or customer-specific requirements.

• Care Management.

• Valid Driver License in the State.

• Licensed Professional Counselor credentials.

• Must be an independently licensed behavioral health clinician.

• This position is covered under the Service Contract Act (SCA).