Residential Counselor - Department of Family and Children Services

Description

The position provides guidance, assistance, supervision, and direction to youth with emotional, behavioral, or mental health needs at a licensed facility providing 24-hour residential care. Responsibilities include ensuring youth have access to routine and developmentally appropriate experiences, providing support, leading group therapy, collaborating with staff, and performing various administrative tasks.

Typical Tasks

• Ensures youth have access to routine and developmentally appropriate experiences, including health, education, and social opportunities.
• Supports youth in areas of personal hygiene, care of personal property, and residential home management.
• Develops and implements individual care plans for youth.
• Affirms youth's emotional, behavioral, and social functioning on a daily basis.
• Plays a key role in planning and leading recreational activities.
• Conducts daily group therapy or psychoeducation sessions to build coping skills and foster emotional well-being.
• Supports youth in addressing substance use needs through counseling and psychoeducation.
• Collaborates with program staff to support youth in achieving their treatment, educational, and vocational goals.
• Collaborates with external providers to ensure smooth transitions and services.
• Prepares necessary documentation and maintains the residential facilities and property.
• Taught daily living and independent living skills, including basic cooking, meal planning, and personal organization.
• Administers first aid and dispenses prescribed medication.
• Serves as a Disaster Service Worker (DSW) as required.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Employment Standards

• Education: Sufficient education, training, and experience to demonstrate the ability to perform the above tasks, plus the possession and direct application of the following knowledge and abilities.
• Training and Experience: Master’s degree in Psychology, Sociology, Education, Social Work, Child Development, or related field; or Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Sociology, Education, Social Work, Child Development, or related field; plus three (3) years of full-time experience providing guidance, assistance, supervision and direction to youth with emotional, behavioral, or mental health needs at a residential facility.
• Special Requirements: Facility Manager training, Live Scan and other background clearances, BLS and CPR certification, provider credentialing, and adherence to DSW requirements.