ABOUT FREMONT
Fremont is a well-managed and innovative city, and has recently generated national attention by placing in Money Magazine’s top 50 “Best Places to Live 2016” in the country, and ranking 4th on the “Most Family Friendly” list of California cities by Estately. Located in the heart of the Bay Area and Silicon Valley, Fremont prides itself on innovation, green technology, a low crime rate, great schools, a low unemployment rate, quality parks and nearby open space, and an incredibly diverse population of over 231,664 residents. As a full service city, Fremont employs over 915 regular employees and has an operating budget of $192.2 million.
Fremont is an employer that values its people, creativity, quality service, integrity, open communication, collaboration, mutual respect, and diversity. Employees find their work challenging, yet rewarding, and most importantly, enjoy the chance to make a difference through public service. Think Fremont!
THE DEPARTMENT
Fremont’s Human Services Department is nationally and internationally recognized for its innovation and effective programs. The Department works to sustain the City’s social service infrastructure which promotes a healthy and safe environment for all residents. The Department also directly offers services to residents throughout their life course from infants to elders. Services offered to families are designed to help them become or remain self-sufficient. The Aging and Family Services (AFS) Division is committed to meeting the needs of a growing senior population and providing a continuum of services to help elders remain independent, safe and in their own homes.
THE POSITIONS
The City of Fremont's Human Services Department currently has two vacancies — a part-time counselor position in the Aging and Family Services (AFS) Division as a Senior Peer Counselor, and a full-time Senior Mobile Mental Health Counselor position in AFS Division’s Mobile Mental Health Team.
SENIOR PEER COUNSELOR (PART-TIME—24 HRS/WEEK):
The Senior Peer Counselor, a part-time (24 hours/week) position, is an integral member of the Senior Peer Counseling program offering supervision and training to the peer counselors who in return provide emotional and mental health support to homebound elders in their place of residence. In collaboration with a clinical supervisor and other members of a multidisciplinary team such as AFS care managers, the Senior Peer Counselor will provide active guidance, leadership and training to the peer counselors and limited direct care services to the seniors in home. The incumbent will interact with seniors and their families by conducting in-home assessments (DSM 5) to develop thoughtful and creative care plans. In addition, the Counselor will provide reports that are due as part of the contract.
EXAMPLES OF RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Receive and review requests for services.
- Conduct intake evaluations in the homes of the seniors to determine type and severity of problems.
- Create new client files and maintain accurate record and documentation of the program.
- Create reports per contract guidelines
- Conduct weekly consultation group for the peer counselors.
- Conduct monthly training for the peer counselor on topics relevant to counseling as well as train and recruit new counselors once a year.
- Assign counselors to new cases and assess the quality of services.
- Supervise work of the peer counselors in group and individual consultation.
- Interview clients, relatives and other involved persons to evaluate clients' needs and assess clients condition.
- Coordinate plan with supervisor, staff, institutions, private practitioners and any other member of the multidisciplinary teams as needed.
SENIOR MOBILE MENTAL HEALT H COUNSELOR (FULL-TIME)
This Counselor position is an integral member of the Senior Mobile Mental Health team offering outpatient mental health services to homebound elders in their place of residence. In collaboration with a clinical supervisor, psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse and AFS case managers, the Counselor will provide wrap around services to seniors and their families. The incumbent will interact with seniors and their families by conducting in-home assessments (DSM 5) and reassessments to develop thoughtful and creative care plans.
In addition, the Counselor will provide counseling services to seniors with mental illness and guidance to family members caring for them.
EXAMPLES OF RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Receive and review requests for services.
- Conduct intake evaluations to determine type and severity of problems.
- Establish diagnostic and treatment plans.
- Interview clients, relatives and other involved persons to evaluate clients' needs and assess clients condition.
- Observe client behavior and modify treatment plan to incorporate new information and changing perceptions.
- Coordinate plan with staff, other agencies, institutions, private practitioners and law enforcement personnel.
- Perform individual, family and group counseling to enhance mental and emotional health, level of social functioning and independent living for children, adolescents, adults and older adults using a variety of therapeutic and counseling techniques.
