Counselor II

CREATIVE ALTERNATIVES•Merced, CA

3d•$20 - $22•Onsite

About The Position

Creative Alternatives is a mission-driven nonprofit human services agency serving youth and young adults who have experienced significant challenges, trauma, and adversity. A Counselor II works in a Short Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP) facility, supporting children’s safety, care, development, and emotional well-being. The role includes mentoring and advocating for youth and helping create a supportive environment in which they can heal and grow. The Counselor II may manage day-to-day facility operations when a supervisor is absent and provides supervision and care to children individually and in groups. The position delivers individual and group rehabilitation services, documents each client’s progress during every shift, supports planned activities, and coordinates with facility supervisors, professional staff, team members, and outside agencies. Counselors use trauma-informed, culturally relevant, and developmentally appropriate interventions consistent with each child’s needs and service and treatment plans. The role also includes crisis intervention, client transportation in company vehicles, recordkeeping, incident reporting, and participating in staff meetings and training. Additional facility duties include cooking, cleaning, laundry, and general upkeep. The position requires physical activity, including extended periods of sitting, standing, or walking; bending, kneeling, crouching, climbing, balancing, reaching, and frequently lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying up to 25 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Requirements

Meet one of the following: hold a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree; have two years of full-time experience or equivalent working with the population to be served; or have equivalent education or experience as determined by CDSS. Experience must be verified as paid or volunteer work involving direct supervision and care of the population served.
Before assuming duties, complete at least one hour of training specified in Section 87065.1(a), in addition to training required under Sections 87065.1(c) and (d).
Be at least 21 years old.
Meet all state licensing and insurance requirements.
Pass DOJ, FBI, and Child Abuse Index clearances.
Have a valid California driver’s license and at least two years of driving experience.
Have a good driving record and provide a Department of Motor Vehicles printout.
Pass the LIC 503 Health Screening Report and obtain TB clearance.
Know and understand the needs of children in a residential setting.
Be able to engage and develop rapport with children from diverse backgrounds.
Be able to provide consistency and behavioral limits through relationship-based interventions.
Be able to communicate effectively and solve problems collaboratively.
Be able to learn and understand the needs of children served in a residential setting.
Be able to develop appropriate relationships with clients from varied backgrounds.
Be able to apply the Reasonable Prudent Parent Standard as necessary.
Be able to use crisis intervention, conflict resolution, and interpersonal communication skills.
Be able to work effectively with staff and administration and communicate with team members and outside agencies.
Have strong written and verbal communication skills.
Successfully complete Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) post-testing coursework in emergency intervention and demonstrate hands-on competency in emergency intervention techniques, as required by CCL regulation 84802(g), Title 22.
Meet the physical demands of the position, including frequently lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying up to 25 pounds.

Responsibilities

Manage day-to-day facility operations in the absence of a supervisor.
Ensure children receive appropriate care and supervision in accordance with applicable laws, licensing regulations, and agency policies.
Supervise, protect, and care for children at all times, individually and in groups.
Oversee planned activities required to be available to children.
Maintain the general upkeep of the facility.
Provide individual and group rehabilitation services.
Write a progress note during each shift for each client.
Assist children with group participation and individual problems.
Administer discipline and set behavioral limits consistent with trauma-informed care standards.
Document children’s programs, identify possible needs for additional professional services, and communicate findings to the facility supervisor and professional staff.
Assist with access to core services, supports, daily activities, and emotional and social support as needed.
Report to the Facility Supervisor and recommend ways to address identified problems.
Apply trauma-informed, culturally relevant, age- and developmentally appropriate interventions consistent with each child’s needs and service and treatment plans.
Maintain appropriate documentation and records, including staff logs, medication charts, allowance records, and menus.
Perform food service and housekeeping duties, including cooking, cleaning, and laundry.
Transport clients in company vehicles.
Participate in crisis intervention as necessary.
Complete incident reports as necessary.
Participate in staff meetings and training as scheduled.
Perform other reasonable duties necessary to ensure the health and safety of children in the facility.