Community-Based Behavioral Health Therapist

About Us:

One Common Unity (OCU) breaks cycles of violence and builds compassionate, healthy communities through the transformative power of music, arts, and peace education. Founded in 2000 following a string of school shootings in Washington, DC, OCU is a collaborative effort between educators, artists, and health practitioners dedicated to preventing violence and improving life outcomes for youth and families. Currently based in 23 schools throughout Washington, DC, we train the next generation of youth leaders in social-emotional literacy, art expression, and conflict transformation, provide therapeutic services, and support them to create positive social change and healing in their communities. Over the past 19 years, we have impacted over 32,500 youth and families, trained over 11,500 teachers, hosted over 81 public concerts and performances, and recently were awarded the Mayor’s Arts Award for Excellence in the Humanities.

Our Community-Based Program continues this mission by serving DC Youth, school communities, and school families through art-expressive-centered mental health services.

About You:

To join The Peace Together Program in response to community gun violence, funded through the Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants (https://ovsjg.dc.gov/), we are looking for dynamic Credentialed Behavioral Health Clinicians who have experience with, and a passion for, working with youth in a community-based setting. Our clinicians provide supportive healing for youth who are primary and secondary survivors/victims of violence. Clinicians work closely with community organizations, schools, teachers, and parents to support youth and their families.

Qualifications:

● Advanced degree in mental health-related field required;

● Credentialed as a LICSW, LGSW, LPC, LGPC, ATR-P, ATR, ATR-BC, or other accredited

clinical licensure eligible to provide therapy in Washington, DC;

● CPR and First Aid (WFA); Mandated Reporter training, DCPS clearance, FBI background check, and NSO registry clearance are required before the first day of work;

● OCU follows DC Government and DC Public School guidelines on vaccination and requires healthcare workers to provide proof of vaccination or a qualified exemption. More information on vaccine mandates can be found here:

https://coronavirus.dc.gov/release/mayor-bowser-and-dc-health-announce-vaccination-requirement-district-health-professionals

Traits Needed:

● A commitment to and understanding of One Common Unity’s mission;

● Experience working with youth;

● A deep understanding of, and experience with, cultural humility-based, anti-racist, and anti-oppressive approaches to clinical work;

● Engages in anti-racist and anti-oppressive frameworks regarding organizational culture (peer relationships, supervisory relationships, etc.);

● Skilled in providing therapy to those who have experienced traumatic grief and loss;

● Communicates effectively with clients, parents, staff, and members of an integrated team;

● Experience with and an ability to practice from a clinical lens that affirms intersecting identities, such as sexuality, gender, race, culture, and class;

● Outstanding verbal, written, self-awareness, and listening skills;

● An engaging and dynamic manner that demonstrates warmth and good humor when working with individuals;

● Personal qualities of maturity, humility, strong work ethic, flexibility, and a commitment to learning/professional growth.

Preferred:

● Proficiency in providing therapy-related services in more than one language, preferred, but not required (Spanish is a plus);

● Demonstrates experience in a specific creative/expressive approach including, but not limited to Art Therapy, Dance/Movement Therapy, Drama Therapy, Music Therapy, etc., preferred, but not required;

● Articulates a personal approach to trauma-informed clinical practice;

● Experienced with specific trauma-informed intervention preferred, but not required;

About the Job:

This is a new position funded by a Building Blocks DC grant, focused on providing therapeutic services to youth in Washington, DC who are primary or secondary survivors of gun violence. Each clinician will work directly to provide on-site interventions in the aftermath of community-based

incidents of gun violence. Clinicians will also be expected to carry a caseload of clients who meet the criteria within the grant. Programming will be provided in-person and on-site at various locations within Washington, DC, and some of the responsibilities will be provided virtually through telehealth

as needed. While this full-time position will have set hours, this role requires availability for on-call support (nights and weekends) as assigned. The specific work hours may vary.

Job duties include:

● Provide services, such as clinical assessments, individual, and group therapy;

● Provide on-site interventions in response to community-based gun violence, as needed and as possible under COVID safety guidance;

● Maintain a caseload of 5-30 direct service clients per week;

● Provide on-call support services (including nights and weekends) as agreed upon, in person as needed;

● Travel to various sites within Washington, DC on short notice to respond in the aftermath of violent incidents;

● Support planning and recruitment efforts for programs aimed at engaging youth who are primary and secondary victims of gun violence;

● Conduct therapeutic group sessions, staff training/consultation, and caregiver engagement sessions related to mental health issues;

● Help facilitate one healing nature retreat with program youth each year;

● Participate in debriefing sessions to process incidents;

● Support efforts to evaluate and improve program outcomes;

● Maintain accurate, complete, and confidential case files, written documentation, and reports to track client progress and outcomes that follow HIPAA guidelines;

● Provide assessment, treatment, and training services at community locations/schools, as needed;

● Participate in clinical supervision or clinical consultation meetings;

● Maintain license, certification, and/or promote identified program performance skills;

● Demonstrate a commitment to Trauma-Informed practices and social justice;

● Provide services and conduct yourself in a manner consistent with the professional Code of Ethics;

● Integrate OCU feedback into practice;

● Assist with other tasks as needed to support the program.

Reporting:

This position reports to the Director of Community Based Behavioral Health and or the Community-Based Program Manager.

Pay & Benefits:

OCU has a competitive compensation, medical/dental/vision, offers FSA and 401(k) plans as well as a full-service Employee Assistance Program to support staff's mental health and work-life balance.

New employees start with 20 days of PTO per year + 14 paid holidays. Additionally, OCU promotes and encourages self-care and well-being for its employees and offers a paid "Invest In Yourself Day”,

the last Friday of every month. Salary is based on license, special skills, and years of experience.

Physical Requirement of the Job:

The environmental factors and/or physical requirements of this position include the following: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to have ordinary ambulatory skills

sufficient to visit other locations; and the ability to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, and manipulate (lift, carry, move) light to medium weights of 10-25 pounds. Requires good hand-eye coordination,

arm, hand, and finger dexterity, including the ability to grasp, and visual acuity to use a keyboard. The employee is frequently required to be in one position for long periods of screen use, reach with

hands and arms, and talk and hear both in person and over devices. The employee interacts in close spaces and frequently with other workers, vendors, and clients. The position works in a school or

office environment with artificial light and air.

Please include a Cover Letter and Resume for consideration.