Residential Counselor I

About the role

Join a team of dedicated and compassionate staff at a new 16‑bed state‑of‑the‑art Secure Residential Facility in Essex, Vermont. The facility spans over 17,000 square feet and includes a separate full‑size gymnasium. As a Residential Counselor you will provide person‑centered treatment for adults with severe mental illness, delivering education, life‑skills support, milieu management, and assistance with community appointments, activities, and visits. You will co‑facilitate groups and activities, observe resident behavior, and respond therapeutically to promote community inclusion, independence, and skill acquisition. The work of this position directly supports the Department of Mental Health’s mission to promote mental health as a vital part of overall well‑being through prevention, early intervention, and recovery‑focused care, and aligns with the vision that mental health is a cornerstone of health in Vermont, where caring, inclusive communities respond with compassion and respect to mental health needs.

Responsibilities

• Provide care and treatment of residents within the facility and in the community.
• Offer education and support with life skills and milieu management.
• Support residents to attend appointments in the community, participate in activities, and engage in various community visits.
• Co‑facilitate groups and activities.
• Observe resident behavior and respond therapeutically to facilitate community inclusion, independence, and skill acquisition.
• Responsibilities vary across the three levels of this job class, including differing expectations around group facilitation and leadership roles on the floor.

Requirements

• Active driver’s license required.
• Ability to work overtime as required to maintain safe staffing levels (considered an essential function).
• Mental and physical condition appropriate to perform essential job functions, with or without reasonable accommodations.
• Must pass a fingerprint‑supported background investigation, including Vermont and/or national criminal record checks, DMV and adult/child abuse registry checks as applicable.
• Employees regularly interact with individuals experiencing serious mental illness who may present risk of assaultive behavior, elopement, self‑harm, or suicide; may be exposed to infectious diseases and caustic detergents.
• As part of RVTR’s compliance with OSHA standard 1910.134(c), RVTR administers respiratory fit‑testing procedures on site for all personnel during initial orientation and annually thereafter.

Qualifications

• Six (6) months of experience in a human services, health care, public administration or related field; OR
• Current enrollment in a degree program matriculating toward a degree in a human services, health care, public administration or related field.

Benefits

• 80% State‑paid medical premium and a dental plan at no cost for employees and their families.
• 12 paid holidays each year and a generous leave plan.
• State Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FMLI).
• Two retirement savings options: 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.
• Eligibility for full retirement after 20 years of service in eligible positions.

Pay

• Day shift employees receive a $2.00 per hour differential for all hours worked.
• Night shift employees receive a $4.00 per hour differential for all hours worked.