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.

About Valley of the Moon Children's Center Residential Programs

The Valley of the Moon Children's Center is a resource hub for caregivers of foster youth and houses two residential programs; a 24-hour emergency shelter and a Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP). The STRTP is an intensive, residential therapeutic treatment services program designed to meet the behavioral and mental health needs of foster youth. The Emergency Shelter provides a stable, supportive, and nurturing environment for youth who have been separated from their families due to abandonment, abuse, or neglect.

About the Human Services Department (HSD)

As the largest agency in Sonoma County government, the Human Services Department's mission is to build upon strengths, as we bridge clients to opportunities through responsive safety-net services. We work to protect vulnerable children and adults, to help people rise above poverty and thrive in our community, and to promote maximum independence and well-being for individuals and families. HSD is responsible for child and adult protective services, veteran services, and administration of state and federal programs, including CalFRESH, CalWORKs, Medi-Cal, and In-Home Supportive Services. The department is dedicated to providing responsive, client-focused services so that all in our community can live freely chosen lives up to their full potential throughout their lifespan. The core values that drive our work are dignity, humility, integrity, responsiveness, partnership, and belonging. HSD fosters a positive work environment, where our commitment to providing opportunities for advancement is strengthened by a robust staff development program. We believe in the merits of work/life balance and enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that our work contributes to the betterment of our shared community. The Department works collaboratively at the federal, state, and local levels to find creative solutions to support the well-being of individuals, families, and the community. To meet that goal, the department has fostered strong relationships with other public and private sector partners, including other government agencies, community-based organizations, and business leaders.

What We Offer

Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing your contributions work to better our shared community. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:

• Salary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
• Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
• County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
• Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
• Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security
• Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
• Additional Benefits - Excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, employee assistance program, professional development, and more
• Student Loan Debt Relief - County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education

*Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can found in the Sonoma County Law Enforcement Association's Memorandum Of Understanding (SCLEA MOU) and our Employee Benefits Directory.