Senior Residential Counselor, Youth Crisis

Job Description

Job Description

At Jefferson Center, it is our policy and our mission to be inclusive and mindful of the diversity of everyone who comes through our doors. We are passionate about building a community where mental health matters and equitable care is accessible to all races, ethnicities, abilities, socioeconomic statuses, ages, sexual orientations, gender expressions, religions, cultures, and languages.

The Senior Residential Counselor is responsible for maintaining milieu structure, following and ensuring that staff follow program rules and procedures of the Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) program. Responsible for direct supervision of clients and providing guidance and training for milieu staff. Responsible for ensuring that the treatment schedule is followed by program staff and that variety of client needs are met through delegation and crisis management.

This position will work in person, three 12 hours shifts per week. 

• High School Diploma/GED required.
• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field preferred (psychology, counseling, human services, or social work) preferred.
• One year of professional experience in behavioral health, preferably in a crisis setting or work with adolescents required.
• Supervisory experience preferred as this is a team lead role.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• An ideal candidate for this position is someone that works well in high-pressure and fast-paced environments, is detail oriented and organized, has strong communication skills, is collaborative with a solutions-oriented mindset, adaptable and is able to effectively delegate responsibilities to others to fulfill the needs of the program.
• QMAP Certification or ability to obtain within two months of hire (provided internally).
• Current CPR/First Aid Certification or ability to obtain within two months of hire.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) Preferred.

• Monitor and oversee staff and client activities on assigned shift by providing milieu management, guidance, safety, stability, and direction to clients in early recovery from a trauma-informed lens.
• Assists Program Coordinator with training new Residential Counselors. Takes lead with planning, assigning, and directing day-to-day work.
• Maintains acceptable attendance and punctuality and is consistently at work on time.
• Interacts with client population to provide guidance, safety, stability, and direction including de-escalating potentially dangerous situations.
• Performs accurate and timely documentation at all times, including but not limited to admissions, shift notes, Per Diem notes, discharges, inventories and screening of clients’ personal belongings, individual and group sessions, Medication Occurrences (MOR), and Adverse Incident Reports (AIR).
• Assists with the planning, conducting and supervision of client activities, including community meetings, groups, external meetings on-site, family/friend visitation, recreational activities, and life skills.
• Administers medications to clients per QMAP standards.
• Maintain professional and ethical behavior at all times.
• Monitors and documents client’s vital signs, physical condition and behavior, as needed. Must be able to administer blood pressure assessments, utilizing blood pressure cuffs, when Nurse is not available.
• Facilitate or co-facilitate psychoeducation groups.
• Completes daily shift reports and related documentation.
• May assist in transporting admitted clients to hospitals, aftercare or other approved services as directed by the Program Manager or Program Coordinator.  Individual may be exposed adverse weather conditions during loading and unloading passengers.
• Practices OSHA safety standards and disposes of biohazard waste according to OSHA standards.
• Effectively responds to the client’s needs and problems, initiates, and maintains positive interactions, timely response to phone calls, email, and other requests.
• Adheres to all Jefferson Center Policies and Procedures, as well as Volume 7 Children’s Code and BHA rule.
• Hold staff accountable to following all Jefferson Center and CSU policy and procedures and will report any concerns to CSU leadership if staff do not adhere to the policy and procedures.

Other Duties (Productivity Performance Measures, Professional Growth/Development, Relationships/Communication):

• Ensures Adverse Incident Reporting (AIR) procedures are followed during shift. Attend Critical Incident Reviews (CIR) as designated by the Supervisor or CIR team.
• Identify potential problems areas or areas for development and problem solving with leadership team.
• Attends mandatory in-services, staff meetings, clinical supervision, and on-line training as required.
• Participates in supervision by coming prepared with an agenda. Reports elevated risk/problem cases using a problem-solving approach as well as feedback.  
• Monitors, coaches, and directs staff on implementing strategies to reach performance measurement benchmarks.
• Provides the Program Coordinator with feedback for performance evaluations and Employee Contribution Records (ECR) or stay interviews.
• Participates in and promotes a positive, supportive, cooperative team environment.
• Participates in staff development activities that enhance professional growth.
• Understand how trauma impacts the lives of the people being served, so that every interaction is consistent with the recovery process and reduces the possibility of re-traumatization.
• Participates in the Center’s training/educational programs designed to enhance knowledge about Trauma Informed Care, the impact of trauma and trauma recovery.
• Ensure that delivery practices are guided by the principles of trauma informed care and the principles of addiction treatment.
• Maintains effective interpersonal relations with clients, peers, subordinates, upper management, visitors, and the general public. Uses language and behavior to promote dignity and respect.
• Corporate Compliance including documentation on practice in accordance with regulatory requirements and clinical guidelines.
• Exhibits enthusiasm, respect, adaptability, flexibility, and spirit of cooperation in the work environment.
• Must be sensitive to the diverse cultural and situational needs of the clients.
• Willing to cover another shift or another team, as requested by Program Manager/Program Coordinator.
• This is an awake position for the entire shift, for both day and overnight shift.
• Staff working with youth must be in good medical, mental, physical, and emotional health. They must also be free from communicable diseases and current on all immunizations routinely recommended for adults. The role may involve lifting, pushing, or pulling objects weighing up to 25 pounds. In rare and extreme situations, staff at the Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) may be required to assist in safely holding a youth for up to 60 seconds.

This role may require cross-functional responsibilities and contingency support including but not limited to:

• Adaptability to staffing needs: In the event of a staffing crisis or emergency, the employee may need to be deployed to another unit / team, whether working with adults or youth, within Jefferson Center for which they are qualified and credentialed, as determined by leadership.
• Skill Utilization: Staff may be assigned to support different teams or departments to address client needs while remaining within the scope of their professional licensure and credentialing.

Note:  Employees are held accountable for all duties of this job. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job.

Salary Range: $57,200 to $61,360* ($27.50/hr - $29.50/hr)

Additional Salary Information*:

• The salary range above is based on 1.0 FTE (full time equivalent) or 40 hours per week. Less than 40 hours/week will be prorated and adjusted to the appropriate FTE.*
• Jefferson Center pay is determined by various factors including education level, licensure level, years of relative experience, and internal equity amongst current staff.

CSU Bonus: 

$1,000 1 month anniversary
$1,000 6 month anniversary
$500 1 year anniversary
($2,500 Total)

Additional Bonus Information*:

• Based on full time (40 hours/week). Prorate if less than 40 hours/week*
• Must work a minimum of 20 hours/week to be eligible for bonus*
• Current Jefferson Center employees not eligible for sign on bonus*
• Bonuses are not earned unless and until continuous employment reaches the bonus effective date* 

Application Deadline : This position will remain posted until filled. We encourage applicants to apply by 9/14/2026for priority consideration.