Residential Counselor, Eucalyptus House

Position Title: Residential Counselor
Program/Dept: Eucalyptus House (Transitional Residential Treatment Facility)
Reports to: Program Director
Classification: Regular, Full-Time, Non-Exempt
Compensation: $23.88 hourly + Full Benefits Package

Agency Description: Founded in San Mateo, California, in 1964, Caminar’s thriving programs and services serve more than 14,000 individuals annually across San Mateo, Santa Clara, San Francisco, Solano, and Butte Counties. Our nonprofit organization’s portfolio of behavioral health and supportive services empowers and supports individuals and families to move toward resilience, wellness, and independence. And, we are expanding our capacity to address the increasingly complex needs of individuals and families.

Position Description: This is a full-time position with a regular work schedule. Under supervision of the Program Director and/or Assistant Director, the Counselor provides support and assistance to clients through individual and group counseling in a crisis or transitional residential treatment program.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Participate in promoting a safe, healthy and clean working environment at all times consistent with applicable laws, industry standards and the agency’s own Health & Safety Program.
• Conduct educational classes for program participants, as assigned, ensuring that the curriculum for such classes is documented, regularly updated, improved, and expanded.
• Establish and maintain clear and effective communications with clients, ensure that their needs are met, assist them in the development and implementation of their treatment plans, and prepare them for the next level of care or other discharge options.
• Maintain and safeguard client monthly allowance accounts, petty cash funds and program funds. Provide accurate monthly accounting of these funds and ensuring that they balance properly and that all receipts are submitted to the corporate office in a timely manner.
• Develop and maintain a respectful, caring, tolerant, ethical, and empowering relationship with all individuals served.
• Promote within the agency and with the general public the philosophy and practice of social rehabilitation.
• Remain alert and perform job functions as assigned and as necessary during awake overnight shifts.
• Perform client intake interviews and assessments, as assigned.
• Coordinate client treatment and rehabilitation among all those involved, including therapists, other providers, and family members.
• Provide one-to-one and group counseling to program clients, as assigned and as necessary.
• Perform other related duties, responsibilities and special projects as assigned.
• Assist program management with ongoing development, implementation, evaluation, and refinement of documented curriculum in support of all classes and groups provided.
• Provide crisis intervention as necessary.
• Assist program management in maintaining the program budget by carefully managing resources and by exploring and recommending cost saving measures and approaches to service delivery.
• Attend training events as assigned, completing a minimum of twenty (20) hours of in-service training annually.
• Assist program management in ensuring compliance with all agency policies and procedures, contractual agreements, licensing and certification requirements, and local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
• Document clients' progress in program charts and conduct regular chart reviews in accordance with established program procedures.
• Assist clients with room maintenance, laundry, meal planning and preparation, shopping, and cooking.
• Establish and maintain productive working relationships with funding agency representatives, referral sources, neighbors, merchants, police, and others with whom the program interacts.
• Orient new clients to the program, or, when possible, enable other clients to orient new clients.
• Facilitate and lead structured program activities, as assigned.
• Drive own or agency vehicle to transport clients and on various errands, as required; documenting and reporting mileage according to agency procedures, so that services can be provided in a timely manner; comply with agency vehicle policy at all times.
• In conjunction with all other program staff members, actively participate in the effort to ensure that the facility environment is homelike, clean, safe, attractive, and comfortable at all times. Notify program management of all needs for repair or maintenance of the facility or program vehicles, involving clients when appropriate.
• Participate in staff meetings and attend other meetings, as assigned.
• Complete and submit accurate time sheets and absence reports to program management in a timely manner.
• Attend and participate in regularly scheduled supervision sessions.
• Provide accurate, timely, and complete transfer of program and client information to other staff as they begin their shift.
• Educate clients about and enable them to make use of free and low-cost community resources for social and recreational use, as well as service resources, such as AA and NA.
• Actively nurture and advance the cooperative, harmonious and teamwork oriented environment Caminar strives to promote within the workplace; Through daily efforts and presentation promote an atmosphere of dignity and respect in line with the organization’s mission, philosophy, policies and procedures.
• Monitor and document clients' intake of psychiatric medications and ensure that medications are handled and stored in accordance with established program procedures and licensing regulations; regularly review medication logs to ensure that they are accurate and complete.

Experience, Qualifications, Skills & Abilities:

• Problem solving—identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner and gathers and analyzes information skillfully.
• Experience in psychiatric rehabilitation, preferably in a social rehabilitation environment is preferred.
• A minimum of one year full time experience or its part time equivalent working in a program serving persons with mental disabilities is required. Such experience must be in the direct provision of services to clients.
• Must demonstrate acceptable level of maturity, good judgment, and emotional stability.
• Safety and security—actively promotes and personally observes safety and security procedures, and uses equipment and materials properly.
• Dependability—is consistently at work and on time, follows instructions, responds to management direction and solicits feedback to improve performance.
• Planning/organizing—prioritizes and plans work activities, uses time efficiently and develops realistic action plans.
• Quality management—looks for ways to improve and promote quality and demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness.
• Must be a dynamic self-starter with demonstrated ability to work independently on special projects.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality, a professional demeanor and to represent the organization in a positive manner at all times.
• Customer Service—manages difficult customer situations, responds promptly to customer needs and solicits customer feedback to improve service.
• Oral and written communication—speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations, demonstrates group presentation skills and conducts meetings. Completes written progress notes and other formal communications skillfully and professionally.
• Adaptability—adapts to changes in the work environment, manages competing demands and is able to deal with frequent change, delays or unexpected events.
• Excellent computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment including email and Internet navigation required. Experience with Human Service Information Systems strongly preferred.
• Must be passionate about Caminar's mission.
• High School Diploma or GED is required. BA in psychology or related field is strongly preferred.

Physical, Environmental and Mental Requirements:

• Sensory: Frequently required to read documents, written reports, and plans. Must be able to distinguish normal sounds with some background noise, as in answering the phone, interacting with residents and staff, etc. Must be able to speak clearly and understand/be understood using the English language.
• Cognitive: Frequently required to concentrate on moderate detail with constant interruption. Must be able to attend to a task/function for 20-45 minutes at a time. Frequently required to understand and relate to specific ideas, several at a time. Must be able to remember multiple tasks/assignments given to self and others over a period of several days.
• Environmental Conditions: Frequent exposure to varied office and mixed (residential/office) environments. Occasional exposure to toxins and poisonous substances, dust, and loud noises.
• Equipment: Frequently required to use a computer, phone, and fax machine.
• Physical: Occasionally required to push/pull objects up to 50 lbs, and to lift/carry objects up to 25 lbs. Frequently required to perform moderately difficult manipulative tasks such as typing, writing, etc. Must be able to walk, stand, sit for extended periods.

Special Requirements:

• Must be able to pass post offer, pre-employment medical and drug tests as required under State Community Care Licensing regulations and/or agency policies.
• Must be able to meet and receive a criminal records clearance, as required by Title XXII, other licensing regulations, and Caminar practices.
• This position may require occasional driving. A valid California driver license and an MVR sufficient to obtain and reasonably maintain insurability under agency auto liability policies are essential job requirements. Personal auto insurance and reliable personal vehicle may be required and in all cases are strongly preferred.
• Must obtain and maintain First Aid and CPR certification.

We've Got You Covered

Medical, Dental, and Vision
Health coverage choices to fit you and your family’s needs. A zero-cost option for employee only and generous contributions to employee and dependent premiums.

Flexible Spending Account
Receive tax savings on out-of-pocket health care costs.

Employee Wellness Program
We’ll reimburse you for a portion of your gym/fitness dues.

Life, Long-term Disability, and AD&D Insurance
Provided at no cost to our full-time employees. Includes an option to purchase additional life coverage for both employees and dependents.

Paid Time Off
We offer twelve paid holidays and a generous sick and vacation benefit.

401(K) Retirement Savings Plan
We offer options for both pre-tax and post-tax (Roth) contributions.
The plan also offers an employer match on eligible employee deferrals at one year of service.

Commuter Benefits
Commuting to work each day can be expensive. Receive tax savings on your commuting costs!

Employee Assistance Program
For whatever issue you might face, our Life Assistance Program offers free, confidential assistance at no cost to you.

Caminar is a leader in providing innovative client-oriented mental health services. We are an equal opportunity employer. Please visit our web site at www.caminar.org