Job Information
New Directions Youth and Family Services Bilingual Brief Strategic Family Therapist in Amherst, New York
Position: Bilingual Brief Strategic Family Therapist - English/Spanish
Position Summary: We are seeking a Brief Strategic Family Therapist (BSFT) to join our team at New Directions Youth & Family Services Inc. The successful candidate will work within the BSFT Model, delivering evidence-based interventions to families and children in Erie and Niagara Counties. This role involves serving approximately 10-12 families at a time, providing trauma-informed, culturally sensitive treatment in home and community settings. Key responsibilities include engaging with families to develop and implement treatment strategies, maintaining case records, and collaborating with community partners. Applicants should have a Master's degree in a relevant field, strong interpersonal skills, and the flexibility to work evenings and weekends.
New Directions is an equal opportunity employer committed to championing the principles of anti-racism, justice, and equity. We welcome prospective employees from diverse cultures and backgrounds, for all positions, who will uphold our values and contribute to our mission. We aim to have a leadership and workforce that is reflective of the communities we work in partnership with.
Pay and benefits
105 hours of paid time off your first year, not including an additional 13 agency holidays.
Access to affordable life, dental and medical insurance.
401k with up to 3% agency matching.
$58,458 - $64,000/yr., plus $1,300 bilingual stipend.
Join our 100+ year old company, where over 30% of our staff have been with us for 10 years or more.
Flexible schedule, some evenings required.
Minimum Education and/or Professional Qualifications/Skills:
Master’s in a human services field specializing in mental health, child welfare, juvenile justice, or other similar fields. License is preferred.
A Bachelor’s degree in a clinical field with four (4) years of experience working in human services in a community setting may be considered
Ability to speak English/Spanish fluently.
We want to emphasize that the preferred qualifications are not required and that we are committed to helping our future colleagues develop these preferred skills. We strongly encourage those who are passionate about fostering a diverse, inclusive and equitable human service organization to apply.
Full Job Description
Title: Brief Strategic Family Therapist (BSFT) Department: BSFT Title of Immediate Supervisor: BSFT Clinical Director POSITION SUMMARY: The BSFT Therapist works within The BSFT Model, a well-supported, evidence-based model for delivering preventive interventions to children and families. The BSFT Therapist will serve approximately 10-12 families at one time, while delivering services in home and community settings. The BSFT Team serves families in Erie and Niagara Counties. The BSFT Therapist will provide trauma-informed treatment that is sensitive to the cultural needs of the population served. New Directions is an equal opportunity employer committed to championing the principles of anti-racism, justice, and equity. We welcome prospective employees from diverse cultures and backgrounds, for all positions, who will uphold our values and contribute to our mission. We aim to have a leadership and workforce that is reflective of the communities we work in partnership with. RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES: Casework Contacts: •Maintain a caseload of 10-12 families. •Provide weekly in person services to youth and families for approximately 60-90 minutes in accordance with BSFT Standards •Conduct a safety assessment at each home visit •Maintain a flexible work schedule, including evenings and weekends. Child and Family Engagement •Organize a therapist-family work team. Developing a therapeutic alliance with each family member, and with the family as a whole •Partner with families to identify strengths and problems •Develop a treatment strategy aimed at capitalizing on strengths and correcting problematic family relations to increase family competence. •Implement change strategies and reinforce family behaviors that sustain new levels of family competence BSFT Training •Participate in training to competency in Brief Strategic Family Therapy in order to practice trademarked model, which may include travel •Maintain certification in BSFT Model •Participate in clinical supervision related to BSFT Model, including video-taping sessions Collaborate with BSFT Team and community partners: •Collaborate with team members for case coverage and consultation •Participate in regularly scheduled team meetings •Link youth/family with community supports to ensure that needed services are provided. •Collaborate with formal systems, service providers and informal networks involved with the youth and family •Communicate with Erie County and Niagara County Case Managers regularly Documentation: •Input and update all necessary documentation in Netsmart myEvolv and CONNECTIONS •Maintain accurate and timely case records, including progress notes and tracking mechanisms, electronically and in each youth’s file •Keep all youth and family information, verbal and written, confidential Agency Standards/Norms: •Participate in regular supervision (per New Directions policy and procedure) •Attend all mandatory in-service trainings as per NDYFS policy and ECDSS requirements •Participate in continuing education as needed to maintain a level of expertise in the field. •Adhere to agency and department policies and procedures •Utilize normative culture •Adhere to the Code of Ethics prescribed by the National Association of Social Workers •Perform all other duties as assigned by immediate supervisor SKILL, QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE, ABILITY & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: •Master’s in a human services field specializing in mental health, child welfare, juvenile justice, or other similar fields. License is preferred. •A Bachelor’s degree in a clinical field with four (4) years of experience working in human services in a community setting may be considered Special – Personal Skills, Qualities, Aptitudes and Physical Requirements New Directions Youth & Family Services, Inc is an equal opportunity employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable persons with disabilities to perform essential functions. 1.Ability to work effectively with clients, families, staff and community contacts from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds. 2.Ability to deal effectively with children/youth with behavioral, emotional and/or mental health challenges and their families. 3.Ability to accept supervision and perform as part of a team. 4.Ability to be flexible and adapt to change. 5.Ability to interface with people (groups and individuals) and communicate within various mediums (logbooks, E-mail, telephone, written). 6.Must have excellent organizational and communication/interaction skills. 7.Must have a valid driver’s license, adequate auto insurance and meet the criteria for driving set forth in the New Directions Driver’s License policy and Auto Insurance policy. 8.Ability to pass annual physical for Category 1 job classification in accordance with New Directions Employee Health policy. 9.Must comply with Agency safety standards and be responsible for own actions and conduct concerning safety and healthy working conditions.