Counselor/Social Worker,Sr - req# 35816

The Center for Development and Disability (CDD), established in 1990, is New Mexico's University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service. These centers, authorized by the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, build the capacities of states and communities to respond to the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. 

The NM START Program is entering its third year as a replication model of the highly successful START model developed at the University of New Hampshire with replication sites throughout the country. The START model is a crisis intervention and prevention model for individuals 6+ with ASD/IDD and mental health challenges. The NM START Program enrolls individuals in crisis and works with both the individual and the systems surrounding that individual to support crisis prevention. Outcomes measured by the NM START Program have been positive for our participants; these include decreased psychiatric hospitalizations, decreased emergency department utilization and decreased law enforcement involvement in crisis situations.   

The Counselor/Social Worker, Sr. will function as a START Coordinator and will provide intake, assessment and coordination supports for a caseload of individuals assigned to the coordinator. The Counselor/Social Worker, Sr.  will be enrolled in the NCSS Coordinator Training Course, which will include both asynchronous and synchronous study and discussions about the intersect of ASD/IDD and mental health. The Counselor/Social Worker, Sr.  as a member of the overall START team, will provide expertise for all team members regarding family systems, working within complex systems and therapeutic principles as appropriate.

The NM START Program utilizes a framework of positive psychology for supporting our enrollees and their families.  Strength based and solutions-focused are critical operational values for our program.  Travel is required within a 2-hour radius of Albuquerque.   System outreach is required such as home visits, hospital visits, group home visits and others. 

For more great jobs within CDD check out our Career Opportunity site   https://cdd.health.unm.edu/jobs/

See the Position Description for additional information.

• Successful candidate must submit to post-offer, pre-employment physical examination and medical history check when working in a child classroom setting.
• CPR and Basic First Aid Certificate may be a requirement for some positions in this classification.
• Must pass a pre-employment criminal background check.
• If located at the UNM Children's Campus, successful candidate must pass a comprehensive post-offer, pre-employment criminal and New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) fingerprint background check, and a continued successful status will be verified by periodic future background checks.
• Must be employment eligible as verified by the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG) and the Government Services Administration (GSA).
• May be subject to credentialing process; must maintain credentialed status, if applicable.
• Must maintain certification status.
• Employees who provide services or work in patient care or clinical areas are required to be in compliance with the University's influenza vaccination requirement.

Master's degree in Counseling, Social Work, or an equivalent field; at least 3 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified. Certification/Licensure: Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) or equivalent OR Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or equivalent OR licensure pending, as documented by temporary license.

Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

**Be sure to address our preferred qualifications listed below in your cover letter**

Interest in working with people with autism spectrum disorders, intellectual and developmental disabilities and mental health issues.

Ability to work within complex systems of care.

Experience working with people and their families and in locating resources to support people in crisis. 

Strong communication and writing skills.

Only applications submitted throughthe official UNMJobs site will be accepted. If you are viewing this jobadvertisement on a 3rd party site, pleasevisit UNMJobs to submit an application.

Positions posted with a Staff Type of Regular or Term are eligible for the Veteran Preference Program. See the Veteran Preference Program webpage for additional details.

The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

The University of New Mexico requires all regular staff positions successfully pass a pre-employment background check. This may include, but is not limited to, a criminal history background check, New Mexico Department of Health fingerprint screening, New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department fingerprint screening, verification of education credentials, and/or verification of prior employment. For more information about background checks, visit https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3280.html. Refer to https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3200.html for a definition of Regular Staff.