JOB TITLE: Refugee Mental Health Practitioner

REPORTS TO: Director of Refugee Services

STATUS: Full-time (37.5 hours)/hourly/non-exempt

LOCATION: Concord

HOW TO APPLY

Please complete an application including a cover letter and resume though the JFCS East Bay Career Center by clicking on the link or going to our website. If using an external site to apply, please ensure you submit a cover letter with your resume. You may need to submit your cover letter and resume as one document if the site only allows for one upload.

OUR AGENCY

Rooted in Jewish values and historical experiences, and inspired by the strengths of the diverse communities we serve, JFCS East Bay promotes the well-being of individuals and families by providing essential mental health and social services through every stage of life. JFCS East Bay is an innovative, multicultural human service agency that has served individuals and families throughout Alameda and Contra Costa counties since 1877.

The agency’s current programs include resettling refugees, providing mental health services to children and families, offering immigration legal services, and supporting seniors and Holocaust survivors. Our staff of more than 60 employees is characterized by its dedication, teamwork, warmth, and humor. Agency offices are located in downtown Berkeley (five blocks from BART) and Concord (five blocks from BART), with a satellite location in uptown Oakland.

JFCS East Bay actively seeks to hire qualified professionals who reflect the cultural and linguistic diversity of the East Bay and of our clients. We are committed to creating a community where staff and clients from all backgrounds feel safe, welcome, and included. We are looking for equity-minded applicants who demonstrate a sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds present in our community. We hope to expand our diversity in the belief that clients heal best when staff represent the communities they serve and are guided by values of social justice.

JOB SUMMARY

The Refugee Mental Health Practitioner provides mental health services to refugees, training for community providers, and consultation to other refugee-serving staff. Reporting to the Director of Refugee Services, the Refugee Mental Health Practitioner must have well developed written and verbal skills in Dari/Farsi or experience working with interpreters.

DUTIES & ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Provide direct mental health services: clinical assessments as well as individual, adult therapy, and child therapy referrals.
• Manage the agency’s Mental Health Services Act Prevention & Early Intervention (PEI) program in Contra Costa County, providing and coordinating services.
• Develop two trainings/year for community providers to increase their capacity to serve refugee clients.
• Provide or arrange for three Afghan women’s support groups per fiscal year. Gather PEI and other relevant service data from staff.
• Write required reports for PEI.
• Coordinate mental health components of other department programs. Provide consultation, training, and support to refugee-serving staff regarding mental health issues.
• Develop collaborative relationships with community providers.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Public Health, or other field relevant to the provision of mental health services to refugees and immigrants.
• Licensure preferred (LCSW, MFT, or licensed psychologist).
• Fluency in English, Dari, and Pashto preferred/or extensive experience working with interpreters.
• Prior experience and familiarity with issues facing refugee and immigrant communities as they relate to trauma, adjustment, and mental health
• Clean DMV record, current California driver’s license, and car required. Able and willing to make home visits and transport clients when necessary.

COMPETENCIES

• Commitment to agency mission of promoting and strengthening the social and emotional well-being of diverse individuals and families throughout the East Bay. Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Patience, compassion, flexibility.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with people of all ages.
• Ability to work effectively and respectfully with a diverse spectrum of individuals and institutions.
• High degree of cultural competence and sensitivity.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to communicate via phone and email.
• Ability to sit and work at a computer for extended periods of time.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Compensation range is $35.90 to $41.01 per hour, depending on licensure status. Benefits include medical, dental, 401(k), generous paid time off, great colleagues, and a friendly, respectful work environment.

JFCS East Bay is an Equal Opportunity employer that highly values diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of age (40 or older), ancestry, color, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), denial of family and medical care leave, disability (mental and physical, including HIV and AIDS), marital status, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, military and veteran status, national origin (including language use restrictions), race, sex (including pregnancy, child birth, breastfeeding, and medical conditions related to pregnancy, child birth or breastfeeding), gender, gender identity and gender expression, sexual orientation, or any other protected status in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.