Low Barrier and Intake Counselor

Join our Riverstone Counseling, Spectrum Youth & Family Services outpatient counseling program, as a Low Barrier and Intake Counselor. This dynamic role integrates clinical counseling, program intake, and youth service coordination across multiple Spectrum programs.

This position provides mental health and substance use assessment, SBIRT screenings, and integrated co-occurring individual, family, and group therapy for youth and young adults ages 12–30. This role includes low-barrier engagement in community settings such as the Spectrum Drop-In Centers in Burlington and St. Albans.

This full time exempt position offers an annual salary starting at $56,000 for unlicensed applicants and $60,000 for licensed. The position is eligible for a robust benefits package, including health, HRA, dental, vision, life insurance, STD, LTD, accrued vacation, accrued health leave, and a 403(b) retirement plan.

Please submit a cover letter and resume to be considered for this position.

Essential Functions

Screening, Intake & Referral Coordination

• Receive, review, track, and coordinate referrals with Riverstone and school partners.
• Create and maintain youth profiles in the electronic record systems.
• Communicate with referral sources.
• Screen referrals for eligibility and appropriateness.
• Support youth and families with intake paperwork.
• Conduct biopsychosocial and needs assessments.
• Maintain documentation in EHRs.
• Serve as a community-facing resource.
• Make internal and external referrals.
• Participate in supervision and meetings.
• Deliver data for grant and funder reporting.

Clinical Services

• Perform MH/SUD screenings including SBIRT-based protocols.
• Conduct clinical assessments.
• Provide individual, group, and family therapy.
• Facilitate psychic-educational or resource groups for parents and students at school based-sites.
• Provide brief interventions and support as needed to youth,
• Create SMART treatment plans.
• Manage a caseload as outlined by supervisor
• Utilize Feedback-Informed Treatment.
• Respond to crises and participate in on-call rotation.
• Maintain clinical documentation.
• Maintain community partner relationships.

Professional Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain close working relationships with school based partners including communication about availability and scheduling, clinical consultation and support to guidance and administrative teams.
• Maintain licensure and CEUs.
• Engage in professional learning.
• Contribute to a collaborative team.
• Support quality improvement efforts.
• Participate in DEI training.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge and Skills Required

• Master’s degree in counseling, social work, or related field.
• Rostered or license-eligible with VT OPR.
• AAP certification, or ability to obtain within 90 days
• Experience serving adolescents and young adults.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care.
• Crisis intervention skills.
• Knowledge of youth development and co-occurring disorders.
• Ability to collaborate across programs.
• Strong documentation and communication skills.
• Commitment to DEI.
• Current licensure in mental health counseling, social work, or other relevant degree and/or LADC.

Preferred Qualifications

• Independent licensure (LCMHC, LICSW, LADC).
• Training in evidence-based practices (MI, CBT, DBT, EMDR, ACT, CAMS, etc.).

Working Environment

Office and community settings including drop-in centers, schools or other community settings. Requires sitting, standing, lifting up to 10 lbs, and local travel.