Residential Counselor I

About the role

The Residential Counselor I position involves the care and treatment of adults with severe mental illness within a secure residential facility. The facility is located in Essex, Vermont and is over 17,000 square feet with a separate full-size gymnasium.

Responsibilities

• Care and treatment of residents within the facility and in the community
• Provide education and support with life skills and milieu management
• Support residents to appointments in the community, activities, and various community visits
• Co-facilitate groups and activities
• Observe resident behavior and respond therapeutically to facilitate community inclusion, independence, and skill acquisition

Requirements

• Six (6) months of experience in a human services, health care, public administration or related field
• OR Enrollment in a degree program matriculating towards a degree in a human services, health care, public administration or related field

Qualifications

• Active Driver’s License is required
• Overtime work may be required to maintain safe staffing levels and is considered a condition of employment
• Mental and physical condition appropriate to successfully perform the essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodations

Skills

N/A

Benefits

As a State employee, you are offered a great career opportunity with an outstanding set of employee benefits that are worth about 30% of your total compensation, including:

• 80% State paid medical premium and a dental plan at no cost for employees and their families
• Work/Life balance: 11 paid holidays each year and a generous leave plan
• State Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FMLI)
• Two ways to save for your retirement: A State defined benefit pension plan and a deferred compensation 457(b) plan
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible spending healthcare and childcare reimbursement accounts
• Low cost group life insurance
• Incentive-based Wellness Program
• Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Pay

Step 1 rate for pay grade 19 is $22.51 per hour and step 15 rate is $34.91 per hour as of July 12, 2026.

Schedule

This position is currently recruiting for night shift positions. There is a night shift differential ($4.00/hr) and weekend differential ($1.50/hr).