Bilingual Visitation Counselor

Overview

Seneca's First Stop Visitation Center in Santa Clara provides services for children who have been removed from their family and who are working toward reunification. The visitation center is a resource for families to access transportation and therapeutic support in the reunification profess during visits at the center.

Bilingual Visitation Counselors observe family interactions and provide role modeling, coaching and verbal communication to ensure a safe and successful visit. This program is designed to provide opportunities for parents to build parental capacity, strengthen family relationships and increase successful reunification and permanency outcomes.

"I absolutely love my job. Working as a Visitation Counselor with Seneca Family of Agencies is an incredibly rewarding and humbling experience. It is a special feeling when I am in a visit with a family, and I am able to see the progress being made on behalf of the parents, and even the children. It is amazing to see how far families can go, and how much their relationships may grow and develop when given the right tools and even the smallest ounce of understanding."

• Seneca Staff

Seneca Family of Agencies is committed to providing traditionally marginalized communities a network of outstanding mental health, community based, and educational services. We are committed to building a diverse staff and strongly encourages people of color to apply. Our programs are deeply engaged in conversations and trainings on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in order to bring equity and justice to the youth and families we serve.

Responsibilities

• Supervise visits between youth and parents by ensuring children have age-appropriate opportunities for interaction with their parents and by maintaining safety of all participants

• Prepare reports based on observations/interventions during the visit

• Keep Child Welfare Worker informed of progress and challenges

• Transport youth and families as requested by the Child Welfare Worker or Visitation Manager

• Assist in the orientation of families to the visitation program and the procedures for visits prior to the initial visitation

• In partnership with Santa Clara County, youth and family, identify and engage relatives, and other natural supports to serve as resources to youth and family

• Supports with developing a plan of permanency for the youth and family, and understanding the principles and stages of Family Finding

• Demonstrate competence in the skill areas of positive engagement and communication, especially with parents whose children have been removed due to abuse and/or neglect

• Assist with special events/projects that enhance the operations of the visitation program

Qualifications

• Education/Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree OR

• Associate's degree or equivalent + 1 year of applicable experience OR

• High School Diploma/GED + 2 years of applicable experience

• Applicable experience can include paid or unpaid experience working with youth or families, or working in the social services field

• Bilingual Spanish/English required

• Must be at least 21 years of age or older

• Excellent communication skills

• Ability to work as a team player and with diverse populations

• Experience and interest in working with children and families

• Own vehicle, California Driver's License, and insurance

• Clearance of TB test, fingerprinting clearance, and any other state/federal licensing or certification requirements

Schedule

• Full time

• Sunday: 8:30am- 5:30pm

• Monday- Thursday: 10:30am- 7:00pm

Benefits

• Starting at $27.75- $30.25 per hour. Actual salary dependent on creditable experience above the minimum qualifications

• Salary increase each year

• Comprehensive employee benefits package:

• Medical, dental, vision and chiropractic coverage, as well as partially paid premiums for dependents

• Employer-paid Employee Assistance Plan (EAP)

• 5 weeks of flexible paid time off and 11 paid holidays

• 403b retirement plan

• Scholarship opportunities, ongoing training, and professional development opportunities

Key Words: nonprofit, non-profit, mental health. healthcare, counseling, counselor, family, family advocate, child advocate, parent advocate, support, counseling support