Job Description
Position: Residential Counselor
Reports To: Program Supervisor
Department: Residential
FLSA Status: Hourly, Non-Exempt
Position Summary:
Under the direction of the Program Supervisor, the Residential Counselor is responsible for the daily care and
supervision of agency clients and living conditions.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
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Residential Care
Responsible for creating a favorable group climate in which the child’s safety, emotional nurturing and
healthy development are of primary concern.
Provides child care and supervision for the clients.
Responsible for the hour by hour care, safety, supervision, protection, guidance and discipline of the
group as a whole and for each child as an individual.
Responsible for meeting the health and personal hygiene needs of minors under their care (report any
medical concerns to medical staff, provide supplies and direction for proper standards of personal care,
etc.).
Provide a caring, warm environment for the children through setting clear boundaries, supporting,
encouraging, and giving verbal praise and acknowledgment to children for positive actions and decisions
to help build self-esteem, age appropriate interpersonal skills, positive thinking, problem solving, proper
language, coping skills, respect for others and self and brainstorming alternative, appropriate behaviors,
etc..
Maintain knowledge of the value based color level system and how it applies to each child.
Maintain discipline and group control at all time, reporting any unresolved conflicts to a supervisor in a
timely manner.
Pro-act and check in with the children frequently to prevent crisis situations. After an incident has
occurred, follow-up and process with the child to prevent further crisis situations and complete any
necessary documentation.
Intervene in crisis situations as learned in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI) to ensure the safety of
clients and staff.
Serve snacks to the clients in coordination with other staff, per approved menu. Maintain a pleasant and
cheerful mealtime atmosphere, and dine with the children during mealtimes, modeling appropriate
behavior, table manners, etc.
Ensure that children are properly dressed for various occasions and see that their clothing is appropriately
cleaned and maintained.
Provide transportation for children as directed by a supervisor as necessary and in accordance with the
agency transport policy.
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In collaboration with the Recreation Department, structure recreational/craft activities to enhance each
child’s social and physical development.
Responsible for being an informed and supportive team member.
Responsible for reading dorm log and incident reports.
Responsible for critical observations and objective recording of children’s behavior for team use.
Responsible for maintaining a neat and orderly dorm area, meeting all Title 22 regulations and the health
and safety codes required of this agency.
Performs routine household duties, including but not limited to: vacuuming, dusting, laundry, cleaning
bathrooms, making beds, cleaning and organizing closets, etc.
Supervises the chores and work project of children.
Accountable for reporting building and equipment damage and/or unsafe conditions and initiate action to
correct any unsafe conditions.
Other Duties
Must be familiar with, and have the ability to carry out, all emergency/disaster plans.
Provides orientation, training and support to newly employed Residential staff, volunteers, interns, foster
grandparents and any other auxiliary staff.
Attends and participates in regular staff meetings regarding program issues and in-service training.
Complete written documentation per program requirements, and in compliance with agency policy and
training.
Attend and participate in team meetings to be aware of and facilitate the development and application of
needs and services treatment plans for each child, providing documentation as necessary.
Ensure accurate recording of worked hours and notify a supervisor of any discrepancies in a timely
manner and in accordance with agency guidelines.
 Performs other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
None
Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The
requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Ability to work varied
hours including nights, weekends and holidays. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable
individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Language Ability:
Ability to read, analyze and interpret documents such as client safety/treatment plans, assessment materials and
procedure manuals. Ability to write professional/clinical reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively
before groups of customers or employees of organization.
Computer Skills:
To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and Microsoft
Internet Explorer.
Education/Experience:
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A high school diploma or general education degree (GED) is required. Twelve (12) Early Childhood
Education (ECE) units from an accredited college or university is preferred.
Previous experience working with children in a residential setting is preferred.
Licenses, Certifications, Registrations:
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Must possess a valid California Drivers License, a reliable automobile, and auto insurance.
Must be at least 21 years of age.
Must pass First Aid certification course before start of employment. Certification can be completed
through the Children’s Receiving Home.
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Must pass CPR (within the first six weeks of employment), Bloodborne Pathogens, and Therapeutic Crisis
Intervention (TCI) certification courses offered through the Children’s Receiving Home within the first
three months of employment.
Knowledge, Skills and Other Abilities:
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Must be able to read, write, speak and understand the English language.
Ability to perform housekeeping tasks, including but not limited to, cleaning, washing clothes, ironing, etc.
Skill to instruct, direct, counsel, and encourage individuals and groups of children.
Ability to maintain discipline and group control in a therapeutic manner.
Skill to communicate effectively in written and oral form.
Skill to listen attentively to clients, co-workers and supervisors.
Skill to plan and organize multiple tasks at one time.
Knowledge of child/adolescent development, and/or child psychology to identify and encourage age
appropriate behavior, as well as understand the clients behaviors and reactions is preferred.
Knowledge of medications and their reactions is preferred.
Knowledge of basic mathematics, including addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication.
Ability to relate with children in a nurturing and respectful manner.
Ability to establish and maintain appropriate boundaries with children and families.
Ability to work cooperatively with a culturally diverse client population and work force.
Ability to work with community and outside agencies in a collaborative and cooperative manner.
Ability to work effectively in a team/group or individual setting.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to
successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable
individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands and talk or
hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required
to sit; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift
and/or move up to 30 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision,
peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while
performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals
with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly exposed to outdoor weather conditions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate to loud.
Acknowledgements:
I have reviewed and understand the above job description and believe it to be accurate and complete. I also
understand that the company retains the right to change this job description at any time. I also understand that
this job description is not a contract for work.
I certify that I possess all of the “Essential Requirements” of the job outlined herein, except as noted here (If
none, so state):
I certify that I am fully capable (with or without a reasonable accommodation) of performing all of the essential
functions documented herein, and I do not have a physical or mental disability that would jeopardize the health
and or safety of my co-workers.
 I do not require an accommodation in order to perform the essential functions of this job as indicated in
this job description.
 I require an accommodation in order to perform the essential function of this job as indicated on this job
description. The accommodation I require is:
I certify that I am fully capable of completing all of the responsibilities documented herein and I do not have a
physical or mental disability that would jeopardize the health and or safety of my co-workers.
I understand, and fully agree, that this job description does not constitute a written or implied contract for
employment and that my employment relationship with the company is “at will,” for an unspecified duration,
and may be terminated at any time by me or the company as specified by Section 2922 of the California Labor
Code.
I understand that I am a FLSA hourly, non-exempt employee.
I understand that I may be called upon to work evenings and/or weekends in order to serve our clients.
Employee signature
Date
Supervisor
Date
Job Description Approvals:
Department Director
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Chief Executive Officer
Date