CRISIS INTERVENTION COUNSELOR                                                                                          6147

 

 

 

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

Under general supervision, an employee in this class is responsible for providing guidance and counseling to children, adolescents and families who are victims of crime, abuse, violence or trauma.  The incumbent assists the crisis victim and/or family in obtaining financial, legal and medical help or additional counseling if needed.  Work is performed using independent judgment and discretion and is reviewed through conferences and written reports. Supervision may be exercised over the work of volunteer and support personnel.  Does related work as required.

 

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

          Provides short-term psychotherapy to children, adolescents and families who are victims of violent and non-violent crimes;

          Evaluates adolescents who are suicidal or acutely depressed;

          Counsels rape victims - which necessitates being "on-call";

          Provides workshops and training for school personnel in the area of identify­ing abuse;

          Prepares oral and written reports, records and charts on all clients;

          Acts as liaison between the crisis victim and police agencies, the district attorney, medical facilities, legal aid, social service agencies and insurance firms;

          Publicizes and explains crime victims' assistance programs through attendance at community meetings and through the preparation and distribution of circulars and bulletins;

          Appears in court to explain and answer questions concerning the victims' perspective of the crime.

 

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Thorough knowledge of the psychological needs of victims of abuse, violence, crime and trauma; thorough knowledge of the social, educational and familial problems resulting from crisis situations; thorough knowledge of counseling and interviewing techniques; thorough knowledge of resources and services in the community available to the traumatized victims; working knowledge of the programs and operation of the courts; ability to establish a rapport with clients and to work effectively and with sensitivity in providing assistance; ability to estab­lish and maintain an effective working relationship with a wide variety of public and private agencies; ability to act calmly and effectively in emergency situa­tions; ability to prepare and maintain clear, accurate and comprehensive records; ability to express oneself clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; ability to assign and review the work of others; a high degree of empathy for the victims of abuse; willingness to respond to calls on a 24  hour-a-day basis as the need arises; tact; courtesy; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

          OPEN COMPETITIVE

          Either:

           a) Graduation from a New York State or Regionally accredited college or university with a Masters Degree in Social Work or Psychology, and three (3) years of counseling experience in an organized program dealing with psychological and/or physical trauma; or,

          b) Graduation from a New York State or Regionally accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology or a closely related field, and five (5) years of counseling experience in an organized program dealing with psychological and/or physical trauma; or,

         c) An equivalent combination of education and experience as defined by the limits of (a) and (b).

 

05/11/88

SUFFOLK COUNTY

Competitive

RR01/23/03