Mental Health Counselor – Youth ChalleNGe Academy (DMA #62308)

$19.24 – $30.78 Hourly

$40,018 – $64,029 Annually

This position is a Pay Band 60

Posting Details

This job posting will be used for ongoing recruitment and may close at any time. Applicant lists may be screened more than once.

The New Mexico National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Academy (NMNGYCA) is a free 17 ½ month alternative program for youth aged 16-18 that starts with a demanding 22-week quasi-military residential phase in which cadets from all over the state live in Roswell. This is followed by a year of mentoring support to help graduates maintain positive lifestyles. The focus during the residential phase is on the development of the whole person through training of the eight (8) Core Components: Academic Excellence; Life Coping Skills; Job Skills; Responsible Citizenship; Leadership/Followership; Health and Hygiene; Physical Fitness; Service to Community, which are designed to instill healthy, life-long skills that have been time-proven to lead to success. In this phase, all cadets will live in military style barracks, work towards earning a HiSET (High School Equivalency Credential) and are eligible to receive college credits in a vocational training program provided by Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell. Once a cadet graduates from the residential phase, the 12-month post-residential phase begins. This phase features monthly contact with an assigned mentor, who helps the cadet stay on track and remain focused on their life goals.

Why does the job exist?

The Assistant Counselor provides short-term and ongoing mental health counseling for cadets enrolled in the NMNGYCA during the residential phase (two (2) class cycles per year) and ensures that the cadets are integrating appropriately during the critical first few weeks, and then provides additional support leading up to graduation. Cadets may come from backgrounds where they have experienced emotional and/or physical trauma and/or drug abuse. Having access to mental health counseling is a crucial part of their long-term success. The Assistant Counselor implements program standard operating procedures, evaluates referrals, and conducts intake assessments for the Counseling department. This position is responsible for teaching the curriculum for the Program’s core components of Life Skills and Responsible Citizenship in accordance with National Guard Bureau requirements. This position also provides education counseling for all cadets enrolled in the program

How does it get done?

-Assess the mental health needs of cadets enrolled in the Program;
-Counsel male and female cadets 16-18 years of age;
-Develop and implement curriculum for Life Coping Skills and Responsible Citizenship Core Component training; and,
-Enter Core Component data in the Program’s database in accordance with National Guard Bureau requirements.

Who are the customers?

Cadets enrolled at the NMNGYCA.

Ideal Candidate

-Excellent communication & critical thinking skills;
-Knowledge of human behavior and performance;
-Ability to assess and treat behavior disorders; and,
-Experience working with teenagers.

Minimum Qualification

Associate’s degree in Human Services or Social Services Counseling and two (2) years experience in mental health and/or substance abuse counseling. Substitutions Apply. See Substitution Table below.

Substitution Table

These combinations of education and experience qualify you for the position:
Education Experience Education Experience 1 High School Diploma or Equivalent AND 4 years of experience OR High School Diploma or Equivalent AND 4 years of experience 2 Associate’s degree in the field(s) specified in the minimum qualification AND 2 years of experience Associate’s degree or higher in any field AND 4 years of experience 3 Bachelor’s degree or higher in the field(s) specified in the minimum qualification AND 0 years of experience
• Education and years of experience must be related to the purpose of the position.
• If Minimum Qualification requires a specific number of “semester hours” in a field (e.g. 6 semester hours in Accounting), applicants MUST have those semester hours in order to meet the minimum qualifications. No substitutions apply for semester hours.

Employment Requirements

Employment is subject to a pre-employment national background investigation and post-offer background check to include fingerprints and is conditional pending results. Must possess and maintain a valid Driver’s License. Must possess and maintain a current Defensive Driving Course Certificate from the State of New Mexico or must pass and receive Defensive Driving Course Certification as a condition of continued employment.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in both an office and academic setting on a large campus with multiple buildings and may involve exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage. Some sitting, standing, bending, and reaching may be required. Occasional overtime during peak cycle times may be required. Travel may be required for meetings and conferences.

Supplemental Information

Benefits:

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Agency Contact Information: John Sisneros Email

For information on Statutory Requirements for this position, click the Classification Description link on the job advertisement.

Bargaining Unit Position

This position is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

Job Category
Social Services
Job Type
Full Time/Permanent
Salary
USD 40,018.00 - 64,029.00 per year
Country
United States
City
Roswell
Career Level
unspecified
Company
State of New Mexico
JOB SOURCE
https://careers.share.state.nm.us/psc/hprdcg/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=1&JobOpeningId=136546&PostingSeq=1