Refugee Mental Health Practitioner

JOB TITLE:               Refugee Mental Health Practitioner

REPORTS TO:          Refugee Services Director

STATUS:                   Part-time 22.5 hrs/week/Hourly/Non-Exempt

LOCATION:               Concord

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 of color, 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.

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 Refugee Services Director, the Refugee Mental Health Practitioner must have well-developed written and verbal skills in Dari/Farsi or has extensive experience working with interpreters. This is a part-time (22.5 hours per week) position based in our Concord office.

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 years.
• 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 required (LCSW, MFT, or licensed psychologist).
• Well-developed written and verbal skills in Dari/Farsi, fluency in English, and/or extensive experience working with interpreters is preferred.
• Minimum of two years’ experience providing mental health services to refugees and immigrants.
• 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

COVID-19 REQUIREMENTS

All employees must show proof of vaccination against COVID-19 and follow JFCS East Bay COVID-19 policies. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with medical or religious reasons where they do not cause undue hardship or pose a direct threat to the health and safety of others.  

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Compensation range is $35.90 - $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.

 TO APPLY

Please submit a thoughtful cover letter and resume. Please include RS40 in the subject line.  Position open until filled.

JFCS East Bay is an Equal Opportunity employer 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.