The MSW Therapist will provide therapy, case management, and wrap-around clinical services to a group of high-risk, system-impacted young people ages 13-25 enrolled in our transformative programs at our New Earth Arts & Leadership Center and at other sites throughout the County and in Culver City. This dynamic, resourceful, and detail-oriented individual will become a catalyst for our young people’s success and achievements and become a steadfast advocate for their progress. The MSW Therapist will be the client’s partner on their journey through the New Earth programming and will continue to provide aftercare and support to program alumni. The MSW Therapist will conduct assessments, maintain regular communication with New Earth members, work directly with New Earth staff and ensure wrap-around, clinical services are being provided to students
As a New Earth team member, the MSW Therapist upholds the New Earth mission, prioritizing high-quality and meaningful service to youth ages 13-25 who are impacted by the juvenile justice system, foster care system or are cross-system impacted. As a member of this team, the Therapist contributes to client intake and assessment, data tracking, resource delivery, and ongoing conversations about service fidelity and quality.
Duties & Responsibilities
• Conducts individual and group therapy.
• Conducts intake assessment with new clients, including processing and filing intake questionnaires and narratives
• Takes concise and efficient progress notes and ensure daily record keeping
• Maintains regular communication with active clients and alumni, including outreach to non-active members to check-in
• Develops individualized action plans to assist clients with goal setting
• Collaborates with school partner to provide records of DIS counseling as requested through IEP.
• Works directly with center staff and educational staff to create an action plan that is “wrap-around” in nature ensuring the client’s success toward action plan goals.
• Completes required reports and updates appropriate staff on a weekly, bi-weekly, and/or monthly basis, as needed/requested
QUALIFICATIONS
• Solution-minded problem solver that responds quickly and effectively to any
changes in the environment
• Evaluates situations and context and exercises discretion and judgment to choose courses of
action
• Persuades others to consider and adopt a different point of view in a behavior crisis
• Ability to perform physical activities that may involve strength, flexibility and balance
• Has local organizational partnerships within Los Angeles County
• Understands the juvenile justice system and youth development
EDUCATION
• BA or MA in Family Therapy, Psychology or Social Work
• MSW, MFT, PPSC, or school counseling credentials required (MSW preferred)
• At least four (4) years working with at-promise or system-involved youth
LICENSE/CERTIFICATION
• MSW, MFT, PPSC, or school counseling credentials required (MSW preferred)
SKILLS & ABILITIES
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively
• Trained in trauma-informed approaches for youth
• Trained in Restorative Practices/Restorative Justice
• Excellent communication skills both verbal and written
• Strong active listening skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a collaborative management style, including the various
applications of soft skills
• Able to manage crisis situations when needed
• Strategic interpersonal skills with youth
• Commitment to high professional ethical standards
• Models culturally sensitive and culturally relevant communication and interaction that
respects and includes all individuals and their languages, abilities, religions, and cultures
• Excels at operating in a fast-paced, multi-tasking community environment
• Bilingual (English-Spanish) preferred but not required
• Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
• Apricot Social Solutions
• Access to vehicle with clean driving record
• Bilingual in Spanish strongly preferred
• Ability to interact with people of all ages and cultural backgrounds
• High level of organization and capacity to manage multiple projects and timeline
LANGUAGE SKILLS
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional
journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from
employees, groups of managers, consumers, and the general public
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of that an
employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable
accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the
essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is occasionally
exposed to outside weather conditions and potentially volatile individuals.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here 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.
• While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or
hear
• The employee is frequently required to stand; walk and use hands to finger, handle, or feel
• Occasionally required to reach with hands and arms; climb or balance and stoop,
kneel, crouch, or crawl
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color
vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus
COMPETENCIES
• Strategic Thinking - Develops strategies to achieve organizational goals; Understands
organization's strengths & weaknesses; Identifies external threats and opportunities;
Adapts strategy to changing conditions.
• Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate
judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in
decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.
• Motivation - Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles. Measures self against
standard of excellence.
• Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality;
Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to
others' ideas and tries new things.
• Planning/Organizing - Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans
for additional resources. Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people
and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans.
• Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure;
Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position;
Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
• Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and
promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure
quality.
• Quantity - Completes work in timely manner; Strives to increase productivity; Works quickly.
• Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Determines appropriate
action beyond guidelines; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and
materials properly.
• Adaptability - Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands;
Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change,
delays, or unexpected events.
• Visionary Leadership - Displays passion and optimism; Inspires respect and trust;
Mobilizes others to fulfill the vision; Provides vision and inspiration to peers and
subordinates.
• Change Management - Develops workable implementation plans; Communicates changes
effectively; Builds commitment and overcomes resistance; Prepares and supports those
affected by change; Monitors transition and evaluates results.
• Delegation - Delegates work assignments; Matches the responsibility to the person; Gives
authority to work independently; Sets expectations and monitors delegated activities;
Provides recognition for results.
• Leadership - Exhibits confidence in self and others; Inspires and motivates others to
perform well; Effectively influences actions and opinions of others; Accepts feedback from
others; Gives appropriate recognition to others.
• Managing People - Takes responsibility for subordinates' activities; Makes self-available to
staff; Provides regular performance feedback; Develops subordinates' skills and
encourages growth; Solicits and applies feedback (internal and external); Fosters quality
focus in others; Improves processes, products and services.; Continually works to improve
supervisory skills.