The Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Division of San Mateo County Health is seeking experienced individuals for the position of Residential Counselor III.

Currently there are two regular full-time vacancies to fill at the Canyon Oaks Youth Center located at 400 Edmonds Rd., Redwood City, CA, 94062.

Residential Counselor III is the lead level in the Residential Counselor series and provides technical assistance and/or lead direction to lower level Residential Counselors. Incumbents at this level work under minimal and with indirect supervision, function with a greater degree of expertise and knowledge in dealing with their assigned work, exercise wide latitude in using discretion, and are called upon to offer technical assistance and/or supervision to Residential Counselors I and II.

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. 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.

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 two years' experience providing direct supervision of youth in a residential treatment setting working with adolescents.
• A California Driver's License in good standing.
• Fluency in Spanish is preferred.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide lead direction, training and work review to the Residential Counselors in assigned shift ensuring appropriate care and supervision is provided to children in accordance with applicable law, licensing regulations, and facility policies.
• Assist the Program Specialist in overseeing planned activities for the shift, making recommendations to address identified problems.
• Function as the health and safety lead, meeting the requirements of Health and Safety Code section 1522.4 and general upkeep of the facility.
• Act as medication lead.
• Lead evening team meetings.
• Ensure completion of incident reports per the shift, that debriefings have occurred per critical incident and that valuable information is disseminated accordingly.
• Supervise and direct individual children and groups as assigned, correcting those who misbehave, and at times directly intervening in situations involving unacceptable behavior.
• Assist in developing, planning and implementing individual treatment plans.
• Assess and evaluate each child's personal functioning on a daily basis.
• Plan and lead recreational activities.
• Participate in daily group meetings intended to change behavior through modern counseling techniques.
• Assist in group therapy; participate in one-on-one meetings with each child.
• Provide support and guidance and enhance the child's self-image.
• Establish behavior modification programs with children involving individual contracts, incentives, positive and negative reinforcers and the grading of behavior and denial of privileges for violations of rules.
• Record significant data regarding behavior of individuals and groups.
• Collaborate with day treatment and other program staff to implement treatment and educational goals.
• Maintain resident files and daily logs to ensure availability of information.
• Maintain personal behavior records, medication charts, petty cash, clothing distribution and other records.
• Insure the performance of all household and medical routines.
• Teach a variety of manual social skills including basic art and cooking.
• Administer first aid and obtain medical care.
• Dispense prescribed medication.
• Supervise personal hygiene of children.
• Function as the health and safety lead.
• Assist the Program Specialist in overseeing planned activities for the shift.
• Maintain security and quiet at the institution.
• Check the sleeping quarters frequently, through the night to be certain that children are quiet and lights are out.
• Enter incidents in log, including any admissions or releases.
• Admit children to facility according to standard admitting procedures.
• Administer first aid and obtain medical care for children.
• Talk to children who may be emotionally disturbed and who are having difficulty sleeping.
• Perform necessary housekeeping chores.

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 two years of experience providing advice, assistance, supervision and direction to emotionally disturbed children.

Special Requirements:
Must have the ability to complete 40 hours of mandated training annually.

Knowledge of:

• 
  Basic supervisory principles and practices.
• Basic principles and practices of employee training and development.
• 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.

• Plan, assign, direct and review the work of others.
• Train staff in work procedures and provide technical assistance and lead direction to staff.
• 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.
• Complete 40 hours of mandated training annually.