Manager of Runaway and Homeless Youth Counseling Services

Title: Manager of RHY Counseling Services (Manager of Youth and Family Counseling)

Starting Salary: $52,000, salary commensurate with experience

About Lighthouse

Lighthouse MI is a growing non-profit, established in 2019 when Lighthouse of Oakland County and South Oakland Shelter joined forces to offer a stronger collective response to poverty in our Metro Detroit community. With over 80 years of combined experience, Lighthouse serves as a beacon of hope to our neighbors who need it most by offering assistance with basic emergency needs alongside housing programs and supportive services designed to support long-term economic stability. Lighthouse owns and operates Spero Housing Group, a subsidiary non-profit dedicated specifically to developing and operating high quality affordable, supportive housing for persons of low and moderate-income, and HandUp, a community and crowdfunding platform serving 100+ homeless service agencies and their clients across the United States.

Position Summary

The Manager of RHY Counseling Services supports Lighthouse's Runaway and Homeless Youth (RHY) programs serving youth ages 10-24. This position will work within the Sanctuary, A Step Forward (ASF), and the Graduated Apartment program (GAP), supporting the clients and operations of each program. The Manger of RHY Counseling Services will provide direct supervision and support to Counseling of Case Management Staff, with a primary focus on Sanctuary and A Step Forward programs. As a key leader of the RHY management team, this position assists in coaching and indirect supervision of all RHY specialist staff and helps in managing overall program design, decision-making and progression toward program objectives. The Manager of RHY Counseling Services will be committed to implementing a trauma-informed and Positive Youth Development approach throughout their work

Responsibilities & Duties

Staff Management, Supervision, and Training Responsibilities:

• Recruit, train, and supervise skilled counseling and case management staff to support runaway and homeless youth and families.

• Assign cases on an ongoing basis, ensuring and effective and equitable caseload distribution that maximizes productivity and quality of services.

• Review case records and documentation for completeness, consistency, and quality of services provided.

• Facilitate weekly case conferencing with counseling, case management, and relevant program staff to support youth and family goals.

• Work with HMIS Administrator to monitor RHY-HMIS for data quality, completeness, and timeliness of case notes, service transactions, and other required data elements.

• Report program information, including explanation of program performance, direction, problems, and potential solutions, to Director.

• Work with the Director of Youth Programs to develop, implement, and supervise an annual training plan for counseling and case management staff.

• Support RHY team training plans and needs, including providing active, ongoing staff coaching and mentorship in partnership with the Manager of Youth Programs.

• Collaborate with the Director of Youth Programs and Manager of Youth Programs to build a strong team culture and rally around operational and strategic goals and vision.

• Assist in recruitment of counseling interns alongside other Lighthouse staff, and serve as main point of contact for clinical internship opportunities and supervision.

• Stay up-to-date with ongoing best practices, program implementation requirements, and program and agency standards. Train staff accordingly and maintain accountability.

• Ensure program implementation and activities are carried out in alignment with Lighthouse's objectives, motives and goals and to ensure that agency and program, goals or objectives are accomplished within prescribed time frame and funding parameters.

• Proactively evaluate individual and team performance on a regular and ongoing basis and provide ongoing training toward continuous improvement.

Direct Client Services

• Provide individual, family, and group counseling to interested parties through the Sanctuary, ASF, GAP, and Outpatient programs.
• For those participating in counseling services, complete an asset/needs assessments, psychosocial assessments, and assist clients in developing and implementing an Individual Service Plan outlining their goals and relevant actions steps.
• Ensure proper maintenance of all client files and records, including electronic records maintained in HMIS.
• Develop strong connections with other agencies to ensure appropriate and effective referral process and resource connections to meet youth and family needs.

General Responsibilities

• Ensure proper maintenance of clients files and records across the program, including electronic records maintained in HMIS.
• Assist with administrative operations, answering phones, and crisis calls as needed.
• Assist with rotating on call support in partnership with the Manager of Youth Programs.
• Work with Director and Manager of Youth Programs to maintain compliance with the Child Caring Institute License and funder rules and guidelines.
• Serve as an active member of the Lighthouse team, including attending Lighthouse staff meetings, leadership meetings and events and promoting inter-agency collaboration.
• Maintain agency approval to transport clients.
• In coordination with the Manager of Youth Programs, provide communication with the RHY team regarding new clients, exited clients, progress towards youth identified goals, and support needed.
• Enforce program rules, policies, and procedure and uphold agency values to maintain and safe, client-centered, and inclusive environment for clients, staff, interns, and volunteers.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Social Work, Counseling, or Psychology

• Licensed in the State of Michigan (LLMSW, LMSW, LLPC, LPC, TLLP, LLP).

  • All Limited License Master Social Workers (LLMSW), Limited License Professional Counselors (LLPC), and Temporary Limited License Psychologists (TLLP) must receive their permanent license (LMSW, LPC, LLP) within 5 years from the issue date of the original limited/temporary license as published in the State of Michigan LARA system to continue their employment.

• Minimum of one (1) year of experience providing counseling services to teens, young adults, and families

• Minimum of three (3) years of experience providing counseling services to teams, young adults and families.

• Strong clinical skills and knowledge base clinical care standards in the treatment of youth, children, and families, including those families affected by multiple issues (abuse, neglect, domestic violence, substance abuse, housing insecurity) and demonstrated ability and desire to help families from diverse cultures and backgrounds.

• Deep knowledge of foundational approaches and philosophies to support youth, including Trauma-Informed Care, Positive Youth Development, and Harm Reduction.

• Experience with and understanding of strong case management skills and approaches.

• Ability to pass a rigorous background check, including child welfare screenings and clearances

• Reliable transportation to transport clients and maintenance of automobile insurance

• Valid driver’s license, Lighthouse reserves the right to require a driving record check for any employee where driving is an essential function of the position.

• Knowledgeable in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Apps,

• Flexibility and the capacity to prioritize tasks in a rapidly changing environment

• Ability to multitask effectively in a fast-paced environment

• Ability to work with a challenging and diverse population

• Ability to work evenings and/or weekends

Preferred Qualifications:

• Lived or professional experience working with people experiencing homelessness or extreme poverty levels in the US.

• 5+ years experience in a youth counseling role

• An understanding of the social constructs impacting those experiencing economic instability,

• Knowledge of the social services landscape in Oakland County and surrounding areas

• HMIS experience

• Ability to self-regulate and work independently while coordinating with other staff

• An appetite for innovation and creative problem-solving

• Harm Reduction, Trauma Informed Care, Housing First, and SPDAT training

• Proven ability to work effectively with racially and ethnically diverse clients and teams

• Experience in managing and leading teams

• Ability to build consensus and resolve conflict; willingness to have difficult conversations.

• Exceptional communication ability, both written and oral.

• Ability to listen and accept feedback constructively.

• Possess high emotional intelligence skills.

• Unwavering personal integrity.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, demanding, constantly changing environment

Disclaimer:

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

Physical Demands:

The incumbent typically works in an office environment and uses a computer, telephone and other office equipment as needed to perform duties. The noise level in the work environment is typical of that of an office. Incumbent may encounter frequent interruptions throughout the workday. The employee is regularly required to sit, talk, or hear; frequently required to use repetitive hand motion, handle or feel, and to stand, walk, reach, bend or lift up to 20 pounds. Contact with the public in office environments may risk exposure to irrational/hostile behavior, contagious diseases, or contact with domestic animals. The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.