Career Counselor
Embark Behavioral Health
Summary
As a Career Counselor / Education Specialist, you'll provide one-on-one coaching and engaging group instruction that supports young adults through every stage of the employment and volunteer journey—from exploration and applications to placement and retention. You'll use a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach to help clients build confidence, practice workplace skills, and achieve goals aligned with their broader treatment plans. Working within a transitional living and behavioral health setting, you'll partner with the treatment team to help clients achieve employment goals that support long-term independence and recovery.
Job description
Responsibilities
- Provide individualized education, career, and employment support to adolescents and young adults, including career coaching, vocational assessments, goal setting, and development of personalized education and employment plans.
- Guide clients through educational pathways, including high school completion, college and graduate school applications, academic support services, disability resources, tutoring, and other educational opportunities.
- Coordinate employment, volunteer, internship, and job shadowing opportunities while supporting participants through job searches, applications, interviewing, onboarding, and job retention.
- Facilitate individual and group programming focused on educational success, career exploration, workplace readiness, resume development, professional communication, self-advocacy, independent living skills, social skills, and community integration.
- Serve as a primary liaison for families, treatment teams, employers, and community partners by providing updates, education, support, and coordination related to client goals and progress.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to support treatment planning, transition and discharge goals, and successful client outcomes while building relationships with local employers, workforce partners, and community organizations.
- Maintain accurate and timely documentation of client engagement and outcomes, advocate for client needs and access to resources, and uphold professional boundaries, confidentiality, and program compliance requirements.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree required in Psychology, Counseling, Social Work, Education, Human Services, or a related field; Master's degree preferred.
- Minimum six months of experience in education, career services, job development, counseling, workforce development, or a related field; experience in behavioral health, residential treatment, or inpatient settings preferred.
- Knowledge of DSM disorders and the challenges facing adolescents, young adults, and families preferred.
- Strong communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with clients, families, employers, community partners, and multidisciplinary treatment teams.
- Excellent organizational, analytical, critical-thinking, problem-solving, and time-management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficiency in documentation and database management, along with the ability to maintain professionalism, adaptability, and a calm demeanor when supporting individuals and families in crisis.
- Valid driver's license with a good driving record required; must be able to pass drug, background, and TB screenings and obtain and maintain CPR/First Aid and Crisis Prevention certifications in accordance with California Laws.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree required in Psychology, Counseling, Social Work, Education, Human Services, or a related field
- Master's degree preferred
- Minimum six months of experience in education, career services, job development, counseling, workforce development, or a related field
- Experience in behavioral health, residential treatment, or inpatient settings preferred
- Knowledge of DSM disorders and the challenges facing adolescents, young adults, and families preferred
- Strong communication, interpersonal, and relationship-building skills
- Excellent organizational, analytical, critical-thinking, problem-solving, and time-management skills
- Proficiency in documentation and database management
- Valid driver's license with a good driving record required
- Must be able to pass drug, background, and TB screenings
- Must obtain and maintain CPR/First Aid and Crisis Prevention certifications in accordance with California Laws
Benefits
- Medical, Dental & Vision
- Paid Parental Leave
- Life & Disability Coverage
- 401(k) with Company Match
- PTO & Holidays
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Company overview
Embark Behavioral Health is a leading national network of behavioral health treatment centers specializing in comprehensive mental health care for adolescents and young adults. Founded in 1995 and headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, the organization operates more than 30 outpatient centers and residential treatment programs across the United States. Embark offers a full continuum of evidence-based services including wilderness therapy, residential treatment centers, partial hospitalization programs, intensive outpatient programs, and virtual counseling. The company is distinguished by its bold mission to reverse the trends of adolescent and young adult anxiety, depression, and suicide by 2028. With over 25 years of specialized experience, Embark utilizes innovative therapeutic approaches like their CASA framework (Commitment, Acceptance, Security, and Attunement) to build healing bonds with patients and families. The organization serves thousands of clients annually through its nationwide network, providing personalized treatment plans for conditions including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, substance use, and trauma-related disorders. Embark accepts most major insurance plans and maintains accreditation from organizations including The Joint Commission, demonstrating its commitment to quality care standards.