Job Description

Job Title: Military Family Life Counselor (Adult/Embedded)

MFLC Counselors provide assessment, short-term, solution-focused counseling services and non-traditional walk around participant outreach to eligible individuals, marital or intimate partners, families, and groups. MFLC services shall be provided by licensed clinicians with specialized credentials, experience, and uniquely tailored skills to address the specific needs associated with adult military members, caregivers, and spouses. MFLC services shall enhance participants’ ability to cope with the many challenges associated with the complex dynamics unique to the military service environment.

This position focuses on Adult and/or Embedded MFLCs: Adult MFLCs for an expected 12-month assignment term, with a possible 12-month extension.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Works in partnership with installation and uniformed Points of Contact (POC) to ensure needs of service-members, families, and program requirements are met.
• MFLC Counselors provide assessment and short-term, solution-focused counseling services to eligible individuals, marital or intimate partners, families, and groups. 
• Ability to perform accurate assessment of the client’s presenting problem and to plan effective treatment for that problem. Knowledge of preventative models that strengthen service members’ and their families’ readiness and resilience by reducing the stresses/stressors of military life cycle.
• MFLCs have extensive knowledge of the military chain of command and feel comfortable interacting with all ranks within a military structure.
• Establish strong relationships with those having significant influence within the command structure.
• Ability to attend and brief at brigade and battalion staff meetings.
• Supporting installation events, fairs and ceremonies to establish trust and build relationships.
• Responds to critical incidents, surge, and on-demand events, and special requests directed by the POC and approved by the Office of Secretary of Defense (OSD) program manager.
• Manages duty to warn and restricted reporting situations according to Department of Defense (DoD) protocol.
• Conducts government approved presentations as requested.
• Enters counselor activity reporting daily through issued equipment while assuring accurate reporting and maintaining confidentiality of participants.

Required Qualifications

• Be U.S. citizens and speak fluent English.
• Possess a Master's degree or higher from an accredited graduate program in a relevant behavioral health field of study to include, but not limited to social work, psychology, marriage/family therapy, or counseling.
• The candidate must hold a valid independent license in the mental health field from any US state or territory (LCSW, LMFT, LPCC, LMHC, Psychologist). Provisional licensure may be acceptable for specific positions and locations.
• Must be able to pass a basic background check for employment, a Child National Agency Check, and Inquiries (NACI/CNACI) clearance, commonly called a Public Trust clearance.
• Be able to pass all background/suitability checks, which may include additional installation-specific requirements.
• Knowledge of the difficulties of adjusting to general life stresses as well as those resulting from the requirements of military life, and experience providing short-term counseling for those issues
• Knowledge of available military and community referral resources
• Knowledge of standard documentation requirements for clinical services
• Ability to work effectively with diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds
• Proficiency in oral and written communication skills
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite software and skilled in the use of office software

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior military service/military family member and strong familiarity with military culture and command structure; experience developing productive relationships with high-ranking military personnel preferred.
• Prior service as an MFLC counselor is strongly preferred.

Other Skills and Abilities

This position requires access to U.S. Government facilities and systems. U.S. Citizenship, a valid driver's license, transportation, and auto insurance are required

Competencies

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Customer Service - Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responsive to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.

Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.

Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.

Written Communication - Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.

Change Management - Develops workable implementation plans; Communicates changes effectively; Builds commitment and overcomes resistance; Prepares and supports those affected by change; Monitors transition and evaluates results.

Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in the decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.

Professionalism - Tactfully approaches others; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.

Physical Demands: Works in office areas. Sits, stands, bends, lifts, and moves intermittently during working hours. Uses personal computer, telephones, copiers, printers and other office equipment. The employee must occasionally lift and move up to 10 pounds.

Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here represent those encountered while performing the essential functions of this job. Zeiders may make reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

Note: When working on military installations or related worksites, MFLC may be subject to site-specific requirements to work at designated locations. Specific assignments may require MFLC to have immunizations or vaccinations and current records of receiving them.

Zeiders Enterprises, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer