Counselor II

CREATIVE ALTERNATIVES•Merced, CA

7d•$19 - $21•Onsite

About The Position

This position is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the facility in the absence of a supervisor, ensuring appropriate care and supervision for children according to applicable laws, licensing regulations, and agency policies. The role involves the supervision, protection, and care of children at all times, both individually and in groups, and overseeing planned activities. The Counselor II is also responsible for the general upkeep of the facility, providing mental health services including individual and group rehabilitation, and writing progress notes for each client during each shift. This role assists children in group settings and with individual problems, administers discipline, and sets behavioral limits consistent with trauma-informed care standards. The Counselor II identifies potential needs for additional professional services and communicates these findings to the facility supervisor and professional staff. They also assist with core services, daily activities, and emotional/social supports as needed, reporting to the Facility Supervisor and making recommendations for identified problems. Interventions and practices must be trauma-informed, culturally relevant, age and developmentally appropriate, and consistent with the child’s needs and service/treatment plan. The role requires maintaining appropriate documentation, performing food service and housekeeping functions, transporting clients, participating in crisis intervention and completing incident reports, attending staff meetings and training, and performing other duties necessary for the health and safety of children.

Requirements

Must meet one of the following: Bachelor of Arts or Science degree
Two years’ full-time experience or equivalent, working with population to be served, or equivalent education or experience as determined by CDSS. (Experience shall be verified as having been paid or volunteer with duties that required direct supervision and care of population served.)
Prior to assuming duties, individual shall complete a minimum of one hour of training as specified in Section 87065.1(a) in addition to training required in Sections 87065.1(c) and (d)
Must be 21 years of age
Meet all state licensing and insurance requirements
Must pass a DOJ, FBI, and Child Abuse index clearance
Valid California driver's license with minimum 2 years’ driving experience required
Good driving record: Department of Motor Vehicles printout required
Must pass LIC 503 Health Screening Report and TB clearance
Knowledge of and understanding of the needs of children served in a children’s residential setting
Ability to engage and develop a rapport with children who have diverse backgrounds.
Ability to provide consistency and behavioral limits through relationship-based interventions.
Ability to communicate effectively and solve problems in a collaborative manner.
Ability to learn and understand the needs of children served in a residential children’s setting.
Ability to develop appropriate relationships with clients who have various backgrounds.
Ability to apply the Reasonable Prudent Parent Standard as necessary.
Ability to utilize skills in crisis intervention, conflict resolution, and interpersonal communication.
Ability to work effectively with staff and administration.
Ability to communicate effectively with team members and outside agencies.
Ability to implement strong written and verbal communication skills.
Successfully complete Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) post testing course work in emergency intervention and demonstrate “hands on” competency in emergency intervention techniques (per CCL regulation 84802(g), Title 22).

Responsibilities

Managing the day-to-day operation of the facility in the absence of a supervisor.
Ensuring appropriate care and supervision is provided to children in according to applicable law, licensing regulations, and the agency’s policies.
Supervision, protection, and care of children at all times, individually and in groups.
Overseeing the planned activities required to be available to children.
Ensuring general upkeep of the facility.
Provide mental health services including individual and group rehabilitation services.
Write a progress note during each shift for each client.
Assistance to each child working with a group and in handling individual problems.
Administration of discipline and setting of limits for behavior that are consistent with trauma informed care standards.
Notations of the child’s program; identification of the possible need for additional professional services, and communication of such findings to facility supervisor and professional staff.
Assistance with the provision of or access to the core services and support, daily activities, and emotional and social supports, as necessary.
Reporting to the Facility Supervisor and making recommendations to address identified problems.
Applying interventions, techniques, and practices that are trauma informed, culturally relevant, age and developmentally appropriate and consistent with a child’s needs and service plan and treatment plan.
Maintain appropriate documentation.
Perform various food service and housekeeping functions, 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 appropriate record keeping such as staff logs, medication charts, allowance records, and menus.
Other duties that may be necessary to ensure the health and safety of children in the facility.