Mental Health Clinician

Job Title: Mental Health Clinician

Reports to: Director of Clinical Services

Type: Full-Time

Category: Mental Health

Background on UTEC, INC.:

UTEC’s promise is to ignite and nurture the ambition of our most disengaged youth to trade violence and poverty for social and economic success. UTEC’s outcomes-focused model begins with intensive street outreach, reaching proven high-risk youth where they’re at. UTEC engages youth in workforce development and educational programs and provides mental health services and intensive case management. Social justice and civic engagement are embedded in all programming. For more info, please visit www.utecinc.org.

UTEC is committed to its vision for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion which pledges to honor the lived experiences and expertise of individuals; create community and celebration of cultures; challenge all forms of oppression; and embody a culture that leans into discomfort and recognizes it as a growth opportunity. UTEC is dedicated to fair and equitable compensation practice, the health, mental health, and overall well-being of young adults and staff and to creating an environment that supports work-life balance and the individual and professional growth of all.

Job Summary:

UTEC’s Mental Health Clinicians are responsible for the provision of counseling services to proven-risk young adults in UTEC’s program, specifically those from the Haverhill, Lowell and Lawrence areas. The young men and women we serve have often experienced trauma, and many have diagnosed mental health issues and/or substance use issues. The Clinician will work as an integral part of our Mental Health team. Additionally, the Clinician will be expected to serve our three communities of Lowell, Lawrence and Haverhill and to provide on-site services to incarcerated young adults at correctional facilities. The Clinician will support intake and screening processes and will assist with external referrals for more intensive behavioral health or substance abuse services when appropriate.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Potential for co-supervision of a social work intern.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Provide mental health assessments to each new young person.
• Provide 1:1 and small group counseling services to the young people of UTEC in a variety of settings including on-site, at satellite sites, and in correctional facilities settings.
• Provide crisis counseling/intervention for UTEC young adults and their families, as needed
• Assist with outside referrals as needed.
• Facilitate groups as needed.
• Portray a positive and empowering demeanor so to ensure professional relationship development and high comfort level for young people to approach Clinician when needed
• Develop positive relationships and exhibit positive behaviors to serve as a role model to young people.
• Follow through to complete all assignments in a timely and thorough manner
• Continued knowledge and awareness of potential external resources for referral
• Attend and participate in team meetings as scheduled
• Participate in trainings provided to staff, as appropriate
• Increase knowledge base of best practices for working with UTEC population
• Consult with staff members about young people
• Manage data collection, client paperwork, and reporting as needed

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Understanding of young adult development
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to build relationships with both clients and colleagues
• Prior training in strength based and evidence-based therapeutic approaches a plus
• Knowledge of legal systems, incarceration and criminal justice
• Strong knowledge of trauma-informed practices
• Strong knowledge of diversity, equity and inclusion frameworks and/or practices

Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree in social work or mental health counseling/license eligible required
• At least 3-5 years of working with young adults (17-25) strongly preferred
• Experience with justice-involved youth preferred

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• Able to travel as needed.

Salary/Benefits: $60,000 plus benefits, commensurate with experience. UTEC offers a competitive benefits package that starts with 4 weeks of vacation (3 standard for all new employees and a week of agency-wide wellness closure between the Christmas and New Year holidays), 12 holidays, 10 sick days, 2 personal days, and health, dental and vision insurance. We also offer life insurance, first time homeowners support, an annual cost of living increase, a 401-K retirement plan, a $1,200- $1,800 annual wellness fund, and professional development support. With time, benefits grow to include up to 6 weeks of vacation, 80% coverage of employee health and dental insurance costs and availability for a 3 week sabbatical.

UTEC also stresses the importance of work-life balance and offers several wellness opportunities including additional time off (i.e. for the past two years we have closed at 3pm on Fridays during the summer months), an employee assistance program, down payment assistance for first time home buyers, parental leave, bereavement supports and unlimited free coffee! See more about our benefits here.

UTEC provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, UTEC complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.