Assignment Readiness Counselor – Short Term or On Demand
Candidates must be local or be willing to relocate to become local and licensed at the independent level as a Social Worker (LCSW, LICSW, LCSW-R or LICSW-CP), Mental Health Counselor (LPC or LMHC), or Therapist (LMFT) or equivalent independent licensure.
Role Overview
The Assignment Ready Counselor (ARC) provides coverage in short‑term, surge, and on‑demand situations resulting from military needs such as post‑deployment events or covering an existing assignment for counselors who are absent. The summer ARC counselor position covers assignments during the May 15‑September 15 period, coinciding with the school summer break. With minimal guidance and oversight, the counselor provides a full breadth of Adult or Child and Youth Behavioral (CYB) counseling services to military service members and their families at military installations. Services may include non‑medical counseling, training/health and wellness presentations, consultation with parents and personnel at child daycare centers and schools, and consultation to installation command regarding behavioral health issues affecting personnel and family members. ARC CYB counselors may be assigned to DoDEA schools and community schools and must have experience working in a school setting to qualify. CYB counselors may also be assigned to youth programs, summer camps, and on‑demand assignments. ARC adult counselors may be assigned to support MFLC services in a variety of military community and readiness centers, as well as on‑demand and surge assignments. Counselors work closely with installation and military branch Points of Contact (POC) to assure the program is provided within scope and meets the needs of the installation.
Key Responsibilities
- Provides non‑medical, short‑term, solution‑focused counseling directly to adults, children, and youth of service members. Services include assessment, brief counseling and consultation, action planning, referral to resources (ensuring linkage as appropriate), and follow‑up as indicated.
- CYB counselors also have a focus on supporting the staff and personnel of CDCs, DoDEA and community schools, youth programs and summer camps, as well as providing parent training and guidance.
- Provides training and health and wellness presentations, participates in health fairs and other base/installation activities.
- Enters counselor activity data daily through smartphone or web application, ensuring accurate reporting from the assigned installation while maintaining confidentiality and anonymity of service/family member.
The job duties listed above are representative and not intended to be all‑inclusive of what may be expected of an employee assigned to this job. A leader may assign additional or other duties which would align with the intent of this job, without revision to the job description.
Other Job Requirements
- Master’s Degree from an accredited graduate program in a mental health related field, or social work.
- With short notice, willingness to accept assignments of undefined periods to include weekends.
- Capability to cover, on a full‑time basis, assignments of varying length from a weekend to two weeks.
- Quickly builds rapport with service personnel clients, family members, students, parents and co‑workers.
- Adaptable to new working conditions, varying location rules, and adjusts working style to align with each work environment.
- Able to work effectively with minimal instruction and guidance.
- Listens carefully to instructions provided.
- With minimal notice, participates in regular in‑services/training, Quality Improvement committees or other contract activities as assigned.
- Requires ability to quickly engage and communicate with military members, spouses or children as assigned, in order to accomplish job functions, and to respond quickly to emergent situations in any physical location on a military installation and/or within a school setting.
- Must be able to traverse short and/or long distances within the base to both indoor and outdoor locations, maneuver through rugged, outdoor or uneven locations (e.g., steep inclines, stairs, grass), and work in outdoor weather and other military base conditions.
- May need to comply with various site‑specific requirements, including current immunizations or vaccinations, and provide record of receipt.
- Ability to prove U.S. Citizenship and must be fluent in English.
- Advanced knowledge of brief therapy and solution‑focused counseling methods.
- Prior military service/military family member and/or strong familiarity with military culture desired.
- For CYB positions must meet the Magellan MFLC CYB criteria for experience with children and youth and specialty in child and adolescent development/psychology.
- Creates a presence on the installation in which service and family members feel comfortable approaching the counselor and recognize the program as confidential; for CYB counselors, creates a presence in child and youth settings, is available to children, youth, and staff, and abides by line‑of‑site protocol.
- Establishes and maintains working relationships with community resources and provides appropriate linkages.
- Partners with POC to provide Adult and CYB services in a manner that addresses the needs of the installation/facility, developing an excellent working relationship.
- Manages duty to warn and restricted reporting situations according to DoD protocol, staffing the cases with Regional Supervisor/Regional Director.
- Communicates with Regional Supervisors and participates in regular individual and group supervision, sharing information regarding trends and issues on installations and in facilities assigned for substitute or on‑call services.
- Responds to critical incidents and special requests as directed by the POC and approved by the OSD program manager.
General Job Information
Title
Assignment Readiness Counselor – Short Term or On Demand
Grade
MFLC ARC
Work Experience – Required
Clinical
Work Experience – Preferred
None specified
Education – Required
Master’s – Behavioral Health, Master’s – Social Work
Education – Preferred
None specified
License and Certifications – Required
- Current licensure that meets State, Commonwealth or customer‑specific requirements.
- DL – Driver License, Valid State.
- Other certifications as required.
- LPC – Licensed Professional Counselor.
- Must be an independently licensed behavioral health clinician.
License and Certifications – Preferred
None specified
This is a Service Contract Act (SCA) covered position. The pay rate and health and welfare allowance are specified in the applicable wage determination agreement.
Magellan Health, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and a Tobacco‑free workplace. EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled.
Every employee must understand, comply with and attest to the security responsibilities and security controls unique to their position, and comply with all applicable legal, regulatory, and contractual requirements and internal policies and procedures.
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