Address
Form of workSalary : $74,526.40 - $93,184.00 Annually
Location : County of San Mateo, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: G025N
Department: Behavioral Health and Recovery Services
Opening Date: 11/16/2023
Closing Date: 11/30/2023 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
The Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Division of San Mateo County Health is seeking experienced individuals for the positions of Residential Counselor I / Residential Counselor I-Relief.
There are currently two regular full-time vacancies and multiple relief (per diem) vacancies to fill at the Canyon Oaks Youth Center located at 400 Edmonds Rd., Redwood City, CA, 94062.
Residential Counselors (RC) I - will provide advice, assistance, supervision and direction to youth, ages 12-18, who have experienced severe or repeated trauma in their lives, and require mental health care at the County's Canyon Oaks Youth Center. The RC-I will oversee the behavior, security, health and welfare of facility residents. Residential Counselors assist in maintaining a positive environment and in establishing achievable goals within the residence and encourage youth to take responsibility for their behavior. They provide an appropriate adult role model for residents and provide group and individual direction using limit setting and sound judgment.
Residential Counselors (RC) drive youth to various appointments and recreational outings on a regular basis. Canyon Oaks Youth Center is a Short Term Residential Therapeutic Program that provides 24-hour care, in all areas of living, to our seriously troubled youth ages 12-18. Serving as an alternative to psychiatric hospitalization for youth in crisis, the day treatment and residential programs focus on stabilizing out-of-control, dangerous behaviors so that youth can be returned to the community as quickly as possible. As support to the day treatment program, RCs also help co-facilitate groups, run community meetings, and provide direct therapeutic interventions guided by licensed allied professionals. Intensive individualized services are provided to these youth, engaging families as working partners in the treatment process.
The ideal candidate will be able to work a shift pattern that could include any combination of daytime, swing and overnight shifts over a 40-hour work week (there will be no back to back shifts), spanning Sunday through Saturday.
The program is a no reject/no eject program which serves youth who, at times, require staff to manage assaultive behavior using physical restraint and/or protective seclusion. Residential Counselors must pass emergency intervention training which includes a written and physical hands-on competency examination; annual examinations are conducted to maintain certification.
Residential Counselor I-Relief - perform the same duties as the Residential Counselor I on a relief/per-diem basis. Relief counselors will be offered shifts needing coverage for holidays, sick leave, vacation and leaves of absences by regular employees.Relief staff is expected to work at least two major holidays in the year, and are expected to be willing to cover shifts that come up on an emergent basis as well as on a pre-designated basis, in order to meet the needs of the facility. Relief staff are relied upon to sign up for shifts on a regular basis in order to develop and maintain effective relationships with the youth with whom they work and to function as an integral member of their shift teams.
Ideal candidates will be available for a variety of shifts, including days, swings, overnights, holidays and weekends for a 24-hour facility.
The ideal candidate will possess:
IMPORTANT: (COYC) is a Short Term Residential Therapeutic Program and by law, requires employees to obtain and maintain security clearance and be bondable. Any prior criminal conviction since your 18th birthday (excluding marijuana-related offenses that are older than two years as listed in the California Labor Code 432.8) will result in a denial of your security clearance by the Community Care Licensing agency. While in some circumstances an employer may obtain a waiver of conviction from the licensing agency, Behavioral Health has a policy against obtaining such waivers/exemptions for perspective employees. In addition, Behavioral Health will not accept such waivers/exemptions obtained from the licensing agency by applicants in any other manner. Community Care Licensing also requires providers working in this facility to maintain 40 hours of annual training related to the field, most of which are provided by the facility. Clinicians will also need to be trained in Professional Assault Crisis Training model (Pro-Act) upon hire.
SALARY
Residential Counselor I - $35.83 - $44.80/hour
Residential Counselor I-Relief - $37.62 - $47.04/hour
(NOTE: The hourly wage for "relief" classifications is 5% above the rate for regular employees in the same classification.)
NOTE: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help/relief, term, unclassified, and regular classified vacancies.
Qualifications
Security Clearance:
Must be able to obtain and maintain security clearance.
Education and Experience:
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:
Residential Counselor I: Bachelors degree in Psychology, Sociology, Education, Counseling, Child Development or related fields.
Knowledge of:
Must have the ability to complete 40 hours of mandated training annually.
Application/Examination
Open and Promotional. Anyone may apply. Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, Confidential and Management extra-help/limited term, and SEIU or AFSCME represented extra help/limited term positions prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score on this examination.
A supplemental application form must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. Resume or CV will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire.
The examination process will consist of an application screening (pass/fail) based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%). Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination.
IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org to apply.
~ TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE ~
Final Filing Date: Thursday, November 30, 2023 11:59P.M.
Application Screening: December 5, 2023
Panel Interviews: December 18 and/or 19, 2023
San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse communities. The County of San Mateo is committed to advancing equity in order to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work. The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion at all levels.
HR Contact: Kristin Herman (11162023) (Residential Counselor I - G025)
Please visit for a complete listing of all benefits for this classification.
Benefits are offered to eligible employees of the County of San Mateo. All benefits are subject to change.
As an additional benefit, the County offers extensive training and development programs designed to improve skills and enhance career opportunities. Most programs are offered on County time at no cost to you.
County employees are also covered by the federal Social Security system and earn benefits for retirement based on salary and time worked.
01
IMPORTANT: As stated in the job announcement It should be noted that the Department will not be requesting any exemptions/waivers from the Community Care Licensing agency for candidates with convictions, and will not accept such waivers/exemptions obtained from the licensing agency by applicants in any other manner. I have reviewed and understand this important information.
02
IMPORTANT: Applicants for this position are required to submit responses to the supplemental questions below. Your responses will provide detailed information about your background and experience related to this position. This information will weigh heavily in the application screening by the subject matter experts and will also be used in the selection process.Answer the questions completely, paying attention to the multi-parts of the questions. While being thorough and detailed, also be concise. Your strategic use of language as well as neatness, clarity of expression, attention to detail, proper use of grammar and the ability to follow instructions will be considered in the evaluation process. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for your responses.
03
Describe in detail your professional experience providing supervision and therapeutic services in a residential, inpatient treatment, and/or group home setting to children and adolescents who have experienced severe or repeated trauma. Include specific information about: A. where you gained the experience;B. the duties performed, including any transportation of clients; and C. the clients with whom you worked.
04
Describe your work experience interacting with diverse youth and adolescent populations, specifically bicultural, bilingual or LGBTQ clients, if any. As part of your answer, please include:A. the setting in which you gained this experience; B. in what capacity you worked with that particular population; andC. what you have found to be effective approaches to create a safe and welcoming environment.
05
List any educational courses, workshops, training or certifications that you have completed that relate to the responsibilities of this position, and support your ability to perform this job.
06
Please indicate your interest in the following types of positions. Make sure to check "all that apply."
Required Question
Location : County of San Mateo, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: G025N
Department: Behavioral Health and Recovery Services
Opening Date: 11/16/2023
Closing Date: 11/30/2023 11:59 PM Pacific
Description
The Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Division of San Mateo County Health is seeking experienced individuals for the positions of Residential Counselor I / Residential Counselor I-Relief.
There are currently two regular full-time vacancies and multiple relief (per diem) vacancies to fill at the Canyon Oaks Youth Center located at 400 Edmonds Rd., Redwood City, CA, 94062.
Residential Counselors (RC) I - will provide advice, assistance, supervision and direction to youth, ages 12-18, who have experienced severe or repeated trauma in their lives, and require mental health care at the County's Canyon Oaks Youth Center. The RC-I will oversee the behavior, security, health and welfare of facility residents. Residential Counselors assist in maintaining a positive environment and in establishing achievable goals within the residence and encourage youth to take responsibility for their behavior. They provide an appropriate adult role model for residents and provide group and individual direction using limit setting and sound judgment.
Residential Counselors (RC) drive youth to various appointments and recreational outings on a regular basis. Canyon Oaks Youth Center is a Short Term Residential Therapeutic Program that provides 24-hour care, in all areas of living, to our seriously troubled youth ages 12-18. Serving as an alternative to psychiatric hospitalization for youth in crisis, the day treatment and residential programs focus on stabilizing out-of-control, dangerous behaviors so that youth can be returned to the community as quickly as possible. As support to the day treatment program, RCs also help co-facilitate groups, run community meetings, and provide direct therapeutic interventions guided by licensed allied professionals. Intensive individualized services are provided to these youth, engaging families as working partners in the treatment process.
The ideal candidate will be able to work a shift pattern that could include any combination of daytime, swing and overnight shifts over a 40-hour work week (there will be no back to back shifts), spanning Sunday through Saturday.
The program is a no reject/no eject program which serves youth who, at times, require staff to manage assaultive behavior using physical restraint and/or protective seclusion. Residential Counselors must pass emergency intervention training which includes a written and physical hands-on competency examination; annual examinations are conducted to maintain certification.
Residential Counselor I-Relief - perform the same duties as the Residential Counselor I on a relief/per-diem basis. Relief counselors will be offered shifts needing coverage for holidays, sick leave, vacation and leaves of absences by regular employees.Relief staff is expected to work at least two major holidays in the year, and are expected to be willing to cover shifts that come up on an emergent basis as well as on a pre-designated basis, in order to meet the needs of the facility. Relief staff are relied upon to sign up for shifts on a regular basis in order to develop and maintain effective relationships with the youth with whom they work and to function as an integral member of their shift teams.
Ideal candidates will be available for a variety of shifts, including days, swings, overnights, holidays and weekends for a 24-hour facility.
The ideal candidate will possess:
- A Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Sociology, Education, Counseling, Child Development or related fields.
- Training and experience in managing assaultive behavior and physical restraint.
- A minimum of one year's experience providing direct supervision of youth in a residential treatment setting working with adolescents.
- A California Driver's License in good standing.
IMPORTANT: (COYC) is a Short Term Residential Therapeutic Program and by law, requires employees to obtain and maintain security clearance and be bondable. Any prior criminal conviction since your 18th birthday (excluding marijuana-related offenses that are older than two years as listed in the California Labor Code 432.8) will result in a denial of your security clearance by the Community Care Licensing agency. While in some circumstances an employer may obtain a waiver of conviction from the licensing agency, Behavioral Health has a policy against obtaining such waivers/exemptions for perspective employees. In addition, Behavioral Health will not accept such waivers/exemptions obtained from the licensing agency by applicants in any other manner. Community Care Licensing also requires providers working in this facility to maintain 40 hours of annual training related to the field, most of which are provided by the facility. Clinicians will also need to be trained in Professional Assault Crisis Training model (Pro-Act) upon hire.
SALARY
Residential Counselor I - $35.83 - $44.80/hour
Residential Counselor I-Relief - $37.62 - $47.04/hour
(NOTE: The hourly wage for "relief" classifications is 5% above the rate for regular employees in the same classification.)
NOTE: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help/relief, term, unclassified, and regular classified vacancies.
Qualifications
Security Clearance:
Must be able to obtain and maintain security clearance.
Education and Experience:
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:
Residential Counselor I: Bachelors degree in Psychology, Sociology, Education, Counseling, Child Development or related fields.
Knowledge of:
- Child and adolescent development and behavior.
- Principles and practices of child care and custody.
- Group dynamics.
- Child development stages.
- Common safety practices and procedures including first aid.
- Individual and group counseling techniques, especially behavior modification.
- Get along well with juveniles and adults and gaining their confidence and respect.
- Provide care for juveniles at the facility.
- Work effectively within a team concept.
- Sense, evaluate, and handle tense group and individual situations as they develop and a willingness to accept responsibility for decisions.
- Exercise good judgment and act calmly in emergency situations.
- Deal effectively with parents, other public and private agencies, and the general public.
- Instruct, train and supervise subordinate personnel.
Must have the ability to complete 40 hours of mandated training annually.
Application/Examination
Open and Promotional. Anyone may apply. Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, Confidential and Management extra-help/limited term, and SEIU or AFSCME represented extra help/limited term positions prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score on this examination.
A supplemental application form must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. Resume or CV will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire.
The examination process will consist of an application screening (pass/fail) based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions. Candidates who pass the application screening will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%). Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination.
IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org to apply.
~ TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE ~
Final Filing Date: Thursday, November 30, 2023 11:59P.M.
Application Screening: December 5, 2023
Panel Interviews: December 18 and/or 19, 2023
San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse communities. The County of San Mateo is committed to advancing equity in order to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work. The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion at all levels.
HR Contact: Kristin Herman (11162023) (Residential Counselor I - G025)
Please visit for a complete listing of all benefits for this classification.
Benefits are offered to eligible employees of the County of San Mateo. All benefits are subject to change.
As an additional benefit, the County offers extensive training and development programs designed to improve skills and enhance career opportunities. Most programs are offered on County time at no cost to you.
County employees are also covered by the federal Social Security system and earn benefits for retirement based on salary and time worked.
01
IMPORTANT: As stated in the job announcement It should be noted that the Department will not be requesting any exemptions/waivers from the Community Care Licensing agency for candidates with convictions, and will not accept such waivers/exemptions obtained from the licensing agency by applicants in any other manner. I have reviewed and understand this important information.
- Yes
- No
02
IMPORTANT: Applicants for this position are required to submit responses to the supplemental questions below. Your responses will provide detailed information about your background and experience related to this position. This information will weigh heavily in the application screening by the subject matter experts and will also be used in the selection process.Answer the questions completely, paying attention to the multi-parts of the questions. While being thorough and detailed, also be concise. Your strategic use of language as well as neatness, clarity of expression, attention to detail, proper use of grammar and the ability to follow instructions will be considered in the evaluation process. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for your responses.
- I have read and understand this important information.
03
Describe in detail your professional experience providing supervision and therapeutic services in a residential, inpatient treatment, and/or group home setting to children and adolescents who have experienced severe or repeated trauma. Include specific information about: A. where you gained the experience;B. the duties performed, including any transportation of clients; and C. the clients with whom you worked.
04
Describe your work experience interacting with diverse youth and adolescent populations, specifically bicultural, bilingual or LGBTQ clients, if any. As part of your answer, please include:A. the setting in which you gained this experience; B. in what capacity you worked with that particular population; andC. what you have found to be effective approaches to create a safe and welcoming environment.
05
List any educational courses, workshops, training or certifications that you have completed that relate to the responsibilities of this position, and support your ability to perform this job.
06
Please indicate your interest in the following types of positions. Make sure to check "all that apply."
- Residential Counselor I (regular position with benefits package)
- Residential Counselor I-Relief (relief position with hourly wage only; 5% above salary rate of regular positions). Note: Relief staff is expected to work at least two major holidays in the year, and are expected to be willing to cover shifts that come up on an emergent basis as well as on a pre- designated basis, in order to meet the needs of the facility. Shifts include: days, swings, overnights, holidays and weekends for a 24-hour facility.
Required Question
