The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD ("The HARRIS CENTER") is looking for a Crisis Counselor to join our team!

Are you committed to helping others navigate through their toughest times? As a Crisis Counselor, you will provide essential support and counseling to survivors of manmade or natural disasters. This critical role involves working directly in the community-homes, shelters, schools, and other local settings-to offer immediate psychological support and practical assistance to those affected by traumatic events.

Your Role in Action:

• Direct Support: Offer individual, family, and group counseling to help survivors understand and manage their psychological reactions to disasters.
• Community Assistance: Provide debriefing and support services to volunteers, caregivers, and responders, enhancing their capacity to aid others.
• Recovery Planning: Help individuals and families identify their needs and develop actionable recovery plans through community resources.
• Educational Outreach: Conduct presentations and training sessions for community and volunteer agencies on managing stress related to disasters.
• Service Coordination: Identify those in need of further assistance and coordinate services, making appropriate referrals to licensed therapists and other support services.
• Documentation: Ensure all services provided are documented accurately and in compliance with program guidelines.
• Community Engagement: Actively canvass neighborhoods and contact various community organizations to reach individuals who need counseling services.
• Flexible Scheduling: Adapt to varied work hours to meet individuals in their preferred settings based on their availability.

What qualifications you will need:

Education:

• High School Diploma or General Education Diploma required. Additional education in Human Services or related fields is a plus.
• Bachelor's degree or higher in Social Sciences, Human Services, or a related field. Additional coursework in social sciences is highly regarded.

Experience:

• A combination of education and work-related experience equivalent to a Bachelor's degree (this would equate to approximately 6 years of experience)
• At least one year of experience in the Human Services field, specifically working with individuals who have experienced loss and displacement due to disasters.

Required Knowledge, Skills/Abilities:

• Exceptional communication skills, including clarity in both verbal and written formats.
• Strong listening and interpersonal skills, capable of empathetic engagement with diverse individuals and groups.
• Ability to work effectively in a team and collaboratively with various stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with a proven ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently.
• Bilingual in Spanish is preferred.

Additional Requirements:

Must possess a valid driver's license, reliable insurance, and a personal vehicle suitable for fieldwork, as the position involves significant travel and field-based activities.

What else you should know:

• This role is designed for those who thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and are passionate about making a tangible impact in the community.
• The requires travel up to 80% of the time.
• Important Notice: This position is funded through a specific grant and is subject to the availability of these funds. The employment term is tied to the duration of the grant, which is expected to be one year.

What we have to offer:

The Harris Center not only offers a competitive salary but also a suite of excellent benefits designed to enrich your life both professionally and personally. Imagine a future with a robust retirement plan complemented by our generous company matching - a testament to our investment in your long-term financial well-being. Experience the unique advantage of our prior service credit, accelerating your journey towards a more substantial Paid Time Off accrual, empowering you to enjoy well-deserved breaks.

Enjoy Cell Phone Discounts, exclusive entertainment deals through Tickets at Work, and a free Headspace subscription for mental wellness. Additionally, our Employee Assistance Program supports your overall well-being.

Take advantage of significant financial relief through student loan forgiveness as a valued member of The Harris Center team. As a qualifying entity, our employees are eligible for various student loan forgiveness programs, designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with higher education.

About us:

The HARRIS CENTER is the state-designated Local Mental Health Authority and Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) Authority serving Harris County, Texas. As the largest behavioral and developmental disability care center in Texas, The Harris Center provided care to over 96,000 people in fiscal year 2023!

As part of its mission to transform the lives of people with behavioral health and IDD needs in the third largest county in the United States, The HARRIS CENTER provides a full continuum of services at 86 different sites across Harris County. In addition, services are provided in more than 40 different languages as well as sign language in order to better serve what is one of the most diverse and multi-cultural communities in the nation.

By utilizing the unique expertise of its more than 2,500 employees, The Harris Center is committed to meeting the behavioral health and IDD needs of Harris County residents and giving them hope to live to their fullest potential.