Children's Residential Care Counselor I

Children's Residential Care Counselor I

Make a difference in a child's life. Join us at Valley of the Moon Children's Center (VMCC) as a Children's Residential Care Counselor I!

This is an excellent opportunity to serve our community's youth and work with some of Sonoma County's finest trauma-informed youth counselors.

Starting salary up to $42.01/hour ($87,679/year) plus a competitive total compensation package!* This recruitment is currently being conducted to fill one Full-Time and two Part-Time (.5) Children's Residential Care Counselor I positions at the Valley of the Moon Children's Center. It is also anticipated that this recruitment may be used to fill future full-time, part-time, and/or extra-help vacancies as they occur during the active status of the list. If you are interested in the current or potential future vacancies, we encourage you to apply now!

As a Children's Residential Care Counselor I, you will carry out the mission of the Department by providing trauma-informed care services to youth in the day-to-day operations of one of the assigned residential programs at VMCC. This includes direct supervision of youth to ensure their safety and well-being, as well as monitoring and implementing strategies for program participation, engagement, and setting limits. In this role, you will build relationships with youth and their caregivers through coaching, mentoring, and the teaching of life skills, social skills, and coping mechanisms utilizing established Trauma-Informed Care methods.

Additional responsibilities include:

• Participating in Multi-Disciplinary Team meetings to provide feedback on youth behaviors, engagement, and progress towards goals
• Providing positive and nurturing experiences to children and youth, while maintaining care and supervision
• Teaching, coaching, and providing feedback to youth to help them develop a self-regulation skill set
• Providing transportation to and from school and coordinating recreational activities
• Documenting youth participation in activities, as well as their strengths, challenges, behaviors, interactions, and application of therapeutic skills
• Counseling youth to help minimize the trauma associated with separation from family members and/or guardians
• Planning and implementing small and large group activities, study support, and field trip activities
• Utilizing Therapeutic Crisis Intervention techniques to de-escalate youth in acute crisis and to restrain them, when appropriate, for the safety and protection of themselves and others
• Administering medication to individual children per written instruction from medical providers
• Performing minor clerical duties and tasks to help maintain facility cleanliness and general order

The ideal candidates for these positions will possess many of the following:

• Multiple years of experience working in a youth residential program, wilderness program/camp, or other environment, requiring strong supervisory facilitation skills, interactive support, and coaching
• A strong youth development and experiential learning background
• Experience in Trauma-Informed Care practices and working with youth who have experienced significant trauma
• The ability to team with others in a meaningful and impactful way
• Education, knowledge, and experience in Secondary Trauma and its impact
• An understanding of the impact trauma has on children's mental health as well as brain development
• The ability to develop positive connections with youth while utilizing role-model, problem-solving, and conflict resolution practices
• An aptitude for monitoring and intervening in high-risk behaviors, handling crises, and providing consistency and behavioral limits through relationship-based interventions
• An understanding of Cultural Competence and diversity
• Expertise in teaching and modeling the Department's mission, vision, and values
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• The ability to problem-solve and/or negotiate in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel

Please Note: VMCC operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, therefore the ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays is required. Applicants must be willing to undergo a thorough background investigation, psychological evaluation, fingerprinting, criminal history, and a medical and physical abilities examination prior to employment.