Senior Residential Counselor, Youth Recovery

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 and ensuring that staff follow program rules and procedures of the Youth Residential Recovery (YRR) program. Responsible for direct supervision of clients, (ages 13-18.5), and providing guidance and training for milieu staff. Responsible for the approval of all admissions and discharges. 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. 

Education, Knowledge, Skills & Experience Required:

• High School Diploma/GED required. Bachelor’s degree in a related field (psychology, counseling, human services, or social work) preferred.
• At least one year of documented work experience in behavioral health, preferably in substance abuse treatment required.
• Applicant must already be working towards or hold an addiction certification (CAS/CAT/LAC) within six (6) months of hire.
• Supervisory experience preferred as this is a leadership role.
• Applicants with pre-existing addiction certification preferred.
• 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, and is able to effectively delegate responsibilities to others to fulfill the needs of the program.
• Hold existing QMAP Certification or ability to obtain within six months of hire (provided internally).
• Current CPR/First Aid Certification or ability to obtain within six months of hire (provided internally).
• Acceptable driving record and ability to travel 20 hours or more in a work week. This position requires driving - applicants must be at least 25 years of age to be eligible for the centers motor vehicle insurance.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) Preferred

   

Essential Duties:

• 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).
• Monitors Breath Alcohol (BA) tests as needed and document appropriately.
• Administers medications to clients per QMAP standards.
• Assist in conducting Random Urine Drug Testing.
• Facilitate or co-facilitate psychoeducation groups.
• Assists team in the coordination of treatment referrals for clients motivated to seek on-going treatment following discharge.
• Works with Program Coordinator to coordinate coverage for unscheduled absences and PAL time.
• Completes daily shift reports and related documentation.
• Monitors staff adherence to cash and property handling procedures.
• May be assigned to review and co-sign clinical documentation CAS (CAS or LAC staff only).
• Collaborates with multidisciplinary team to make decisions regarding client appropriateness for admission, discharge, or transfer to a higher or lower level of care as well as ensuring client safety, as needed.
• Coordinates mealtimes with kitchen staff and daily community meetings with youth and staff.
• May assist in the transportation of clients. Individuals may be exposed to adverse weather conditions while loading and unloading passengers.
• 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.

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. In that 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. 
• 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. 
• This is an awake position for the entire shift, for both day and overnight shift.

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/hour to $29.50/hour)*

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.

Hiring Bonus!*

$1,500 1 month anniversary
$1,500 6 month anniversary
$2,000 1 year anniversary
($5,000 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 : These positions will remain posted until filled. We encourage applicants to apply by 10/16/2026 for priority consideration.