Group Counselor II

County of Orange•Orange County, CA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The County of Orange, Social Services Agency (SSA) is composed of four business divisions: Assistance Programs; Children and Family Services; Family Self-Sufficiency & Adult Services; and Administrative Services; and over 4,000 dedicated employees, providing human services to an average of one in three Orange County residents. Our mission is to deliver quality services that are accessible and responsive to the community, encourage personal responsibility, strengthen individuals, preserve families, and protect vulnerable adults and children. Orangewood Children and Family Center (OCFC) is a 24-hour emergency shelter care facility, operated and owned by the County of Orange, Social Services Agency for children who have been abused, abandoned and/or neglected. The position will work in a Licensed Temporary Shelter Care Facility regulated by the State of California.

Requirements

Completion of 12 semester units or equivalent quarter units in early childhood education or child development at an accredited college or university including at least 3 semester units of coursework in the care of infants and 3 semester units of coursework in abused and/or drug-exposed children OR a current Child Development Associate (CDA) credential with at least 3 post-secondary semester units or equivalent quarter units of coursework in abused and/or drug exposed children.
Two (2) or more years of experience which would demonstrate working directly with infants, children, and teens, providing care, recreational activities (e.g., playing games/sports), and providing crisis intervention (e.g., approved physical restraint and/or verbal de-escalation techniques).
Understanding of juvenile institutional administration laws, rules, and regulations and familiarity with the Welfare and Institutions Code
Comprehension of intervention techniques to be able to evaluate situations and handling difficult situations
Working with at-risk youth (abandoned, abused, neglected)
Utilizing effective techniques to assist or help child's needs
Working with troubled and special needs children in relation to their level of functioning
Developing and coordinating case treatment plans
Observing for illnesses, reporting them as they occur, and providing medications as prescribed by physician, if needed
Utilizing Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook proficiently
Leading, mentoring, and training Group Counselor Trainee I/II and Group Counselor I staff
Training counselors in organizational procedures, unit program, techniques of individual and group counseling and direction of social and recreational activities
Promoting and supports ethical and professional standards in the work place, and skillfully handles personnel issues
Demonstrating experience leading and facilitating meetings, trainings and projects
Cultivating and maintaining effective working relationships with co-workers
Demonstrating expertise utilizing crisis intervention techniques
Hypersensitive of children's personal safety and security, and any environmental hazards while working with children
Making sound decisions/judgment or take actions to prevent injury to children
Responding quickly to emergencies, especially, involving children
Having compassion to provide care and assistance without judgment to troubled children
Using effective communication when working with staff, other County agencies, and/or stakeholders, both orally and in writing
Maintaining a positive attitude and effectively handling stress when dealing with difficult children
Writing accurate data and/or reports
Candidates will be required to undergo a background clearance check from California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and Community Care Licensing (CCL) and must successfully clear prior to the start of their employment.
All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of a background check.
A Child Abuse Central Index (CACI) background clearance check may be required.

Nice To Haves

A valid Class C Driver's License is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Directing and supervising the daily activities of abused and neglected children at Orangewood Children and Family Center (OCFC)
Providing direct care for the physical well-being of young children, (e.g., changing diapers, feeding, bathing, etc.)
Helping children with their needs, such as; tying children's shoelaces and carrying minor's personal property
Assisting with children's emotional adjustment within the temporary shelter care environment
Intervening with youth in a variety of crisis situations
Learning and reporting on the developmental stages and progress of the children under their care
Transporting children to school, activities, hospital, field trips in the community, and medical/hospital appointments, including lifting and carrying infants/toddlers
Verbally de-escalating tense situations with children and adolescents, which include separating fighting juveniles, physically restrain and remove a resisting juvenile from the scene
Maintaining peace between children and adolescents
Responding to emergency or disturbance, such as; pursuing juveniles on foot (running)
Working cooperatively and effectively with a multidisciplinary team of professionals
Assisting with general housekeeping