Counseling Manager

Job Title: Counseling Manager

Department: Counseling

Reports To: Director of Programs

FLSA Status: EXEMPT

Salary: $85,000-90,000

Language proficiency: Bilingual English/Spanish (preferred)

Nonprofit Overview

Formerly known as the Cerebral Palsy Center for the Bay Area, Ability Now Bay Area (ANBA) offers adults with developmental and physical disabilities the most comprehensive and innovative services available. Our unique programs include education, communication, computer literacy, vocational training, wellness, and community integration. We promote self-advocacy, independent living skills, and leisure skills, which enhance our participants’ ability to live more independent and fulfilled lives.

Position Summary

The Lead Counselor is responsible for providing effective leadership and oversight of participant services while ensuring high-quality, person-centered, and culturally responsive support. This role develops and monitors Individual Service Plans (ISPs), tracks participant progress, provides direct counseling, and ensures services are responsive to each participant’s individual goals, needs, and preferences. The Lead Counselor serves as a key liaison between participants, families, care teams, regional center representatives, and external agencies to promote coordinated services, effective communication, and positive outcomes. The Lead Counselor recognizes and addresses cultural and linguistic differences that may impact access to services, communication, decision-making, and participant engagement.

The Lead Counselor provides day-to-day leadership and supervision to counseling staff, offering guidance, coaching, training, and support to promote consistent, high-quality service delivery. The position oversees intake and referral processes, supports staff development, monitors documentation and service quality, and ensures compliance with organizational policies and applicable regulatory and regional center requirements.

A key component of this position is the ability to effectively serve a diverse participant population and their families. The Lead Counselor should demonstrate cultural competency, cultural humility, and an understanding of how cultural, linguistic, and individual differences may influence service needs, communication, and decision-making. Fluency in Spanish is a preferred qualification, with the ability to communicate effectively in English and Spanish with participants, families, staff, and community partners.

The Lead Counselor also maintains accurate and timely documentation, prepares reports, supports program evaluation and quality improvement efforts, and assists in identifying opportunities to strengthen participant services. Through effective leadership, collaboration, and advocacy, this position plays a critical role in fostering an inclusive and supportive environment while promoting participant growth, independence, self-advocacy, and successful community integration.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and monitor Individual Service Plans (ISPs) to ensure participant progress and achievement of established goals. Facilitate regular reviews and make adjustments as needed.
• Serve as a liaison between participants, families, care providers, case managers, regulatory agencies, and internal staff to ensure clear communication and coordinated services.
• Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential case records in compliance with organizational policies and regulatory requirements.
• Support a case load of participants collecting supporting documentation and meeting as required with Regional Center.
• Track and chart participant program objectives and measurable outcomes to support program evaluation and quality improvement efforts.
• Prepare internal and external reports, including progress reports for families, case managers, and regulatory representatives. Draft professional correspondence as needed.
• Distribute weekly internal updates regarding participants on assigned caseload.
• Provide Counseling support to participants as issues arise, including but not limited to personal counseling sessions, group sessions, and conflict resolution.
• Participate in interdisciplinary meetings, staff trainings, counselor meetings, and required agency events. Provide training for other staff when appropriate on counseling-related skills and competencies.
• Promote a respectful, inclusive, and person-centered environment that supports participant dignity, independence, and community integration.
• Provide bilingual services in English and Spanish, including counseling, family communication, care coordination, and participant support, ensuring language accessibility and culturally competent services for Spanish-speaking participants and families.

Supervisory Duties

• Coordinate the referral intake process including but not limited to admission, intake, enrollment, retention, discharge, and follow-up processes for all program participants, including screening, interviewing applicants, and providing information and referral services.
• Serve as a primary liaison with ANBA’s nursing staff to ensure participant care plan documents are turned in and updated.
• Supervise counseling staff’s documentation, schedules and duties.
• Support staff in understanding and implementing participant service plans, providing direction and guidance when necessary.
• Ensure compliance with all licensing, regulatory, and agency standards related to documentation, participant rights, and program operations.
• Schedule, facilitate, and document team meetings to review participant progress and develop comprehensive, integrated support plans.
• Provide effective leadership, supervision, and guidance to counseling staff while promoting culturally responsive, person-centered practices that recognize and respect the diverse backgrounds, identities, values, and needs of participants and their families.

Additional Job Requirements

• Transportation support – assist participants in getting to and on buses
• Support other departments as necessary
• Assist with walking or pushing participants to classes
• Comply with all Ability Now Bay Area policies and procedures as outlined in the Employee Handbook
• Check StoriiCare and email daily, and respond to emails promptly
• Perform other duties as assigned

Education and Experience

• Master's degree in psychology, counseling, special education, or closely related field with two years of experience working with the disabled in a counseling capacity (strongly preferred).

or

• Bachelor’s degree (or an equivalent certificate, license, or credential) in psychology, counseling, special education, or closely related field with three years of experience working with the disabled in a counseling capacity and at least one year of related supervisory experience.

The right candidate will demonstrate a track record of positive interactions with colleagues, the desire to learn and grow, and the commitment to support adults with developmental disabilities in a positive, engaging learning environment.

Communication and Reading Comprehension

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret documents in English (required) and Spanish(preferred). Ability to utilize electronic devices for tasks including timekeeping and agency communication.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to adapt to varied and changing circumstances.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or listen. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Must be able to safely perform all physical and manual movements needed for job functions.

Note: Any lifting of program participants always requires two people.

Work Environment

The Physical Demands and Work Environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• The noise level in the work environment is moderate to loud.
• May be exposed to outdoor elements of wind, moderate cold, and rain while assisting participants with transportation.

Must be able to carry out job instructions promptly and willingly, and to follow established procedures accurately. Must be flexible, positive, and cooperative in solving problems and working with other staff in constantly changing and sometimes challenging circumstances. If you are looking to make a significant impact for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in a dynamic learning environment, we encourage you to apply for this transformative role.

ANBA IS AN EQUAL-OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

Qualified applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities.

It is the policy of ANBA not to discriminate against any applicant for employment, or any

employee because of age, color, sex, disability, national origin, race, religion, or veteran

status

Bilingual English/Spanish (preferred)