Employee Assistance Program Counselor
- Summary
- ***This position has been extended through July 31, 2019, if you previously applied, there is no need to re-apply.***
The Employee Health & Safety Division within King County's Department of Human Resources is seeking an experienced, dynamic and motivated professional to work as an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Counselor to serve the County's diverse workforce.
As a key role on the EAP team, the EAP Counselor provides highly specialized assistance, direct support and guidance to all King County management regarding resolution of delicate and complicated personnel problems. The individual selected for this role will work directly with employees to effect the necessary changes to correct the problem situations.
The EAP Counselor will use excellent interpersonal skills to partner with various internal and external resources. This person will be relied on to regularly and effectively balance promoting employee interests along with King County Departmental operational needs. - Job Duties
- Conducts and performs confidential intake, assessments, short-term counseling services and/or referral to appropriate resources for employee personal and work performance problems.
- Provides advanced consultation, coaching and triage services to management, Human Resources, Labor Relations, Prosecuting Attorney's Office, Disability Services, other King County agencies and collective bargaining unit representatives to help resolve broad, complex and politically sensitive employee performance issues.
- Assists in the management of the external "Making Life Easier" contract and vendor, including trouble shooting, resolving programmatic issues and any complaints that may arise that affect employees and their eligible dependents.
- Creates and maintains accurate and timely documentation of all case activity in the electronic case management system and program statistics.
- Conducts and assists with employee fitness for duty and return-to-work mental health and substance abuse evaluations. The EAP Counselor may be required to perform DOT Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) services or Non-DOT Substance Abuse Counselor (SAC) assessment and services, including providing direct case management of safety sensitive employees in violation of DOT and King County substance abuse prohibitions and co-facilitate training on reasonable suspicion.
- Assists in the facilitation of discussions and mediations for resolution of individual and group conflicts.
- Provides Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) services for employees following small and large-scale traumatic events, including coordination with the Making Life Easier vender as needed.
- Assists with clinical consultation to the Transit Divisions' Critical Incident Stress Management Team, and serves as a backup if needed.
- Assists with coordination of services by external work-life (Making Life Easier) contracted vendors, troubleshoots complaints and issues and participates as a rater in vendor selection processes.
- Coordinates, develops and maintains an EAP training catalog. Coordinates and develops new trainings as needed or requested. Assists in or directly provides workshops and training to selected audiences as required.
- Assists with other EAP programmatic duties as assigned, including triage, intakes, treatment coordination and other projects/initiatives.
- Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
Required knowledge, skill and ability:
- Demonstrated knowledge of effective assessment skills, short-term psychotherapy and individual and group crisis intervention techniques, psychotropic medications and community resources for treatment of mental health and substance abuse disorders.
- Demonstrated ability and experience providing triage, assessment, counseling and recommendations to management and employees on a variety of issues affecting work performance.
- Outstanding customer service and interpersonal skills, including the ability to work effectively with all levels of management and employees across organizational lines.
- Demonstrated skills dealing effectively with diverse individuals and groups in politically sensitive, emotionally charged workplace situations.
- Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team, including the ability to resolve professional differences about case direction when multiple players are involved.
- Demonstrated ability to deal effectively with situations that involve workplace or domestic violence.
- Demonstrated skills necessary to accurately gather, analyze, document and present information, including timely and appropriate documentation of case records.
- Demonstrated skills to clearly and professionally communicate information, both verbally and in writing.
- Demonstrated ability to multitask and produce quality products and services while under the pressure of critical timelines.
- Demonstrated ability to maintain the privacy and security of sensitive and confidential information.
- Demonstrated ability to develop, design and facilitate effective meetings, presentations and training.
- Demonstrated proficiency in the use of computer software, including Microsoft Internet Explorer, Outlook, Word, Access and PowerPoint, with a high degree of accuracy.
- Master's Degree in Behavioral Health related field (MA, MS, MSW)
- Active licensure as an associate Licensed Social Worker Associate (LICSWA), Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate (LMFTA) or a higher credential. If the incumbent is from out of State or currently credentialed as a Washington State Agency Affiliate Counselor, they must have the ability to be licensed in Washington State at a LICSA, LMCHA, or LMFTA level.
- Federal Department of Transportation Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) qualification, or the ability to obtain qualification within six months to a year of employment with King County.
- A valid driver's license or the alternate ability to travel around the County in a timely manner to locations that may not be accessible by public transportation is required.
- LMFT, LMHC, LICSW
- Certified Employee Assistance Professional (CEAP)
- Professional in Human Resources Certification (PHR, SPHR)
- Experience providing EAP professional services to unionized employees and/or to public sector employees
- At least two years' experience in providing EAP comprehensive counseling and or mental health counseling and assessment.
- At least two years' experience in the assessment and treatment of substance abuse disorders.
- At least two years' experience in the design, implementation and delivery of EAP/work life training or other Mental Health Training experience.
- Demonstrated experience researching, interpreting, and applying HR policies and procedures, including knowledge and application of employment laws such as equal employment opportunity laws (EEO), disability accommodation laws (ADA), Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and family medical leave laws (FMLA).
- Supplemental Information
Work Schedule
This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, and is not overtime eligible. The work week is normally Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Candidates are required to be available to work additional hours, which may include evenings and weekends, as needed to respond to service needs.
Union Membership
This position is represented by Teamsters Local 117/Professional & Technical.
Application Process
(1) An online employment application with supplemental questions, completed at www.kingcounty.gov/jobs, with employment history going back at least ten years if possible (or more to include all relevant experience), and (2) a cover letter (no more than 2 pages) summarizing how you meet the experience, qualifications, knowledge and skills for the job.
Selection Process
Applicants will be screened for clarity, completeness, and competitiveness. All materials will be evaluated for spelling, grammar and punctuation usage. The most competitive candidates may be invited to participate in a series of interviews, including written and oral evaluations of skill, knowledge and experience. Reference checks and/or record reviews will also be conducted.
King County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and we encourage people of color, women, veterans and people with disabilities to apply.
For more information regarding this recruitment or for accommodation in the application process, please contact:
Julie Stephens
(206) 263-3501
julie.stephens@kingcounty.gov
King County
As the only county in the United States named after Martin Luther King Jr, one of the most influential civil rights leaders in our nation's history, King County is a vibrant community with residents that represent countries from around the world. It is a region with increasing diversity that cherishes the artistic and social traditions of many cultures. Together, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence.
We continue to build on an enduring legacy of shared values of equity and social justice, employee engagement, innovative thinking and continuous improvement. With this commitment, King County has adopted a pro-equity agenda aimed at advancing regional change and is developing the systems and standards necessary to achieve better outcomes for all of our residents, regardless of their race or income. All of these qualities make this King County one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
- Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
- Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
- Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
- 10 paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
- Generous vacation and paid sick leave
- Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
- Flexible Spending Account
- Wellness programs
- Onsite gyms and activity centers
- Employee giving program
- Employee assistance programs
- Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
- Training and career development programs
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
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01Do you have a Master's Degree in a behavioral health field, such as Counseling, Psychology, and/or Social work or a related field
- Yes
- No
02Which of the following credentials do you possess? Please select all that apply.- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Associate (LMFTA)
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA)
- Licensed Social Worker Associate (LISWA)
- Agency Affiliate Counselor but have the ability to get a LMFTA, LMHCA or LISWA
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
- Licensed Social Worker (LICSW)
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
- Certified Employee Assistance Professional (CEAP)
- Professional in Human Resources Certification (PHR, SPHR)
- Qualified to provide DOT Substance Abuse Professional Services or able to obtain this certification within 6 months to a year of hire
- Not Applicable
03How many years of comprehensive EAP experience do you have?- None
- Less than one year
- More than one but less than three years
- More than three but less than four years
- Four or more years
04How many years of experience do you have in the assessment and treatment of mental health disorders?- None
- Less than one year
- More than one but less than two years
- More than two but less than three years
- More than three years
05How many years of experience do you have in the assessment and treatment of substance abuse disorders?- None
- Less than one year
- More than one but less than two years
- More than two but less than three years
- More than three years
06How many years of experience do you have in the design, implementation and delivery of EAP/work life trainings?- None
- Less than one year
- More than one but less than two years
- More than two but less than three years
- More than three years
07In what areas do you have EAP experience coaching and consulting with management, human resources and other organizational departments?- Work performance
- Workplace violence
- Fitness for duty and return to work
- Resolving conflict between employees or groups
- Coordinated and provided CISM services
- Provided SAP services, including interfacing with DER's and MRO's
- None of the above
08Do you have a valid driver's license or the alternate ability to travel around the County in a timely manner to locations that may not be accessible by public transportation?- Yes
- No
09Please confirm that you are aware of the requirement to include a cover letter.- I have attached a cover letter.
- N/A
Required Question