Account/Position No.:  5-34467/589720                                                       Level 8                          

Position Title:  Family Services Counselor

Department:  Center for Community Outreach and Family Services 

Expectations for All Employees

East Tennessee State University pursues its mission based upon core values. An employee's job performance must support and exhibit the university's core values:

PEOPLE come first, are treated with dignity and respect, and are encouraged to achieve their full potential;
RELATIONSHIPS are built on honesty, integrity and trust;
DIVERSITY of people and thought is respected;
EXCELLENCE is achieved through teamwork, leadership, creativity, and a strong work ethic;
EFFICIENCY is achieved through wise use of human and financial resources; and
COMMITMENT to intellectual achievement is embraced.

Function of Position

Responsible to the Director of Family Services for establishing a liaison with the Families First case managers in his/her counties; accessing and networking resources needed for Families First customers, including private and community agencies applying for services and resources provided by DHS offices; breaking down barriers preventing Families First customers from going to work; determining the best referral services for each treatment; determining the severity of each case and deciding if the customer needs to apply for disability of SSI benefits; and performing other related duties as assigned.

Essential Functions

-                Assists TANF recipients in preparation for work.

-                Removes barriers (i.e., learning disabilities, domestic violence, alcohol and drug issues, child behavior/mental health issues, and emotional/mental health concerns) preventing self-sufficiency through counseling, guidance and referrals.

-                Makes phone calls to monitor client progress, to confer with case managers, or to find resources.

-                Follows-up with clients.

Secondary Functions

-                Performs copying and faxing of confidential information.

-                Prepares assessment packets.

-                Prepares copies for groups.

-                Prepares client charts and paperwork for doctors.

-                Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge and Abilities

-                Knowledge of brief solution focused therapy.

-                Knowledge of referral sources.

-                Ability to provide individual, group and/or family therapy.

-                Ability to communicate effectively.

-                Ability to assess and evaluate customer needs for short or long-term treatment or to be in a training program.

-                Ability to help customers reduce barriers to work.

-                Ability to serve as an advocate for needed resources.

Supervision Given and Received

Performs under general supervision.  Determines own methods of performing assigned work.

Minimum Qualifications

Master's degree in social work, counseling or related field required; previous experience working with an adult population; training in brief solution focused therapy; training in alcohol and drug assessment helpful.

Date:  July, 2005