Residential Counselor - Department of Family and Children Services

Residential Counselor - Department of Family and Children Services

Salary

$102,423.36 - $123,972.16 Annually

Location

Throughout the County of Santa Clara, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

26-Y3E-A

Department

Social Services Agency - DFCS

Opening Date

07/02/2026

Closing Date

7/16/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Bargaining Unit

01

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

Under general supervision, to provide guidance, assistance, supervision and direction to youth with emotional, behavioral, or mental health needs at a licensed facility providing twenty-four (24) hour residential care; and to perform basic functions for the care, nurturing, growth and development of those youth.

Typical Tasks

The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

• Ensures youth have access to routine and developmentally appropriate experiences, including health, education, and social opportunities, consistent with the role of a caring, responsible adult;
• Provides the primary support, guidance, and counseling of children in areas of personal hygiene, care of personal property and residential home, social skills, and general problem solving skills;
• Develops, plans and implements individual care plan for youth in their care;
• Assesses and evaluates each childs emotional, behavioral, and social functioning on a daily basis;
• Plans and leads recreational activities that support treatment goals, build healthy relationships, foster a sense of belonging, and support emotional regulation;
• Leads or assists in daily group therapy or psychoeducation sessions intended to build coping skills, improve interactions, foster pro-social behavior and support emotional well-being through developmentally appropriate, trauma-informed and relationally oriented counseling techniques;
• Provides support through individual rehabilitation sessions that support the child's care plan, self-image, and daily needs;
• Implements strength-based approaches to support youth to improve their behavioral and emotional functioning and reduce their reliance on maladaptive behavior through encouragement, consistency, and natural consequences aligned with treatment goals;
• Provides support and guidance to youth in addressing substance use needs through counseling and psychoeducation, while promoting problem-solving skills, relapse prevention, and maintaining a substance free living environment;
• Collaborates with program staff to implement strategies to support youth in achieving their treatment, educational, and vocational goals;
• Collaborates with internal and external providers, to ensure transitions, services, and daily supports are youth-centered, timely, and aligned with care goals;
• Prepares necessary and assigned documentation such as resident files, incident reports, maintenance requests, daily logs, and billing-related documentation in accordance with regulatory and program standards;
• Assists in the routine organization, care, and maintenance of the residential facilities and property;
• Teaches, supports, and provides the development of daily living and independent living skills, including basic cooking, meal planning, grocery shopping, personal organization, household responsibilities, and other everyday tasks appropriate for youth's age and developmental level;
• Administers first aid and obtains medical care at a level commiserate with symptoms;
• Dispenses prescribed medication in accordance with the medical prescriber's instructions and ensures all medications are securely stored and accurately documented;
• Supervises and teaches personal hygiene for youth, as needed;
• Intervenes in crisis situations consistent with training and policy, with a focus on de-escalation, prioritization of safety, and the least restrictive interventions, while consulting with supervisory support, when necessary;
• Transports children in county vehicles to and from outside appointments, school, activities, and events;
• Participates in meetings and in-service training related to assignment;
• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker (DSW), as required*;
• Performs other related duties, as required.

Employment Standards

Sufficient education, training, and experience to demonstrate the ability to perform the above tasks, plus the possession and direct application of the following knowledge and abilities:

Training and Experience Note: The required knowledge and abilities are attained through possession of a Master's degree in Psychology, Sociology, Education, Social Work, Child Development, or related field;

OR

Possession of a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Sociology, Education, Social Work, Child Development, or related field;

and

Three (3) years of full-time experience providing guidance, assistance, supervision and direction to youth with emotional, behavioral, or mental health needs at a residential facility.

OR

Completion of sixty (60) semester units (90 quarter units) of college;

and

Five (5) years of full-time experience providing guidance, assistance, supervision and direction to youth with emotional, behavioral, or mental health needs at a residential facility.

Special Requirements

• Some positions may require Facility Manager training.
• Some positions may require Live Scan and other background clearances as required by licensing and County policies.
• Some positions may require possession of Basic Life Support (BLS) and CPR certification upon appointment. Once certification is received, must maintain certification for the duration of employment in the classification.
• Some positions may require provider credentialing, prior to appointment; and once credentialing is received, to maintain credentialing for the duration of employment in the classification.
• Ability to travel to alternate locations in the course of work. If driving, possession of a valid California driver's license prior to appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County driver authorization.
• *As a condition of employment, pursuant to California Government Code Sections 3100-3109 and Local Ordinance, all County of Santa Clara employees are designated Disaster Service Workers (DSWs), including extra help. A DSW is required to complete all assigned DSW-related training, and in the event of an emergency, return to work as ordered.

Knowledge of:

• Child and adolescent development, stages and behavior;
• Principles and practices of care and support for youth with emotional and behavioral health needs in residential environments;
• Group dynamics;
• Common safety practices and procedures including first aid, CPR, and use of Naloxone;
• Individual and group counseling techniques, with an emphasis on strength-based approaches to support emotional regulation and positive behavior change;
• Substance use indicators, relapse prevention strategies, and approaches to supporting youth with co-occurring mental health and substance use needs;
• Growth and hygiene needs of children and adolescents;
• Common emotional and behavioral responses to separation, trauma, and grief;
• English usage, style, grammar, punctuation, and spelling;
• Common computer systems and applications.

Ability to:

• Get along well with youth and adults, and gain their confidence and respect;
• Provide care for youth at the residential facility;
• Work effectively as a member of a multidisciplinary team;
• Sense, evaluate, and manage tense group and individual situations as they develop a willingness to accept responsibility for decisions;
• Exercise good judgment and act calmly in emergency situations;
• Administer first aid;
• Read and understand material safety data sheets and other safety communications;
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures;
• Navigate systems of care and assist youth and families in accessing services and supports;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, at all levels, including colleagues, the public, and representatives of other agencies;
• Use computer systems and applications.

Physical Requirements

• Work flexible and irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays;
• Bend, stretch, twist, and reach;
• Carry up to fifteen (15) pounds;
• Restrain children or youth for the safety and protection of themselves and others.

The County offers comprehensive first-class medical, dental, and vision benefits plans for County employees and their dependents, including plans with no deductibles, no co-pays, no co-insurance, and no prescription drug co-pays. Learn more here.

The County also offers generous paid time off with significant vacation, sick time, and 13 paid County holidays annually! Details are included in the Memorandum of Understanding/Agreement with the bargaining unit applicable to the job classification.

In addition to the amazing perks above, the County also offers the additional benefits below.

Retirement Benefits

The County offers robust retirement plans including a 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan (similar to the private sector's 401(k) plan) and the CalPERS pension plan. In addition to lifetime retirement income available through the CalPERS pension plan, the 457(b) Deferred Compensation plan provides a great way to save for retirement and supplement the defined benefit pension available to employees. These plans help our employees build a plan for their future and contribute to their family's long-term financial well-being.

Health Flexible Spending Account

The Health Flexible Spending Account (HFSA) empowers employees to manage healthcare expenses efficiently with tax-free contributions (up to $3,200 for the 2024 calendar year). Secure tax-free solutions for your healthcare expenses and enjoy the flexibility to manage your healthcare finances effectively with the HFSA.

Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP)

The Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) enables employees to utilize tax-free funds for dependent care services, facilitating a convenient and cost-effective approach for managing your dependent care expenses. The County also offers the Employee Childcare Assistance Plan, an employer-funded DCAP, for employees with annual income under $120,000.

Life and AD&D

The County offers life and disability benefits including Life Insurance, Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance, Long-Term Disability insurance, California State Disability Insurance, and Integration with Leave. These benefits ensure financial security and income support when you and your family need it most.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The County prioritizes employee mental health and well-being and offers a top-tier Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through Concern providing confidential counseling sessions covering stress, anxiety, relationships, grief, as well as financial/legal services, personal coaching, child and elder care referrals, and comprehensive crisis support.

Employee Wellness

The Employee Wellness Program offers free wellness programing, fitness classes and resources; including Elevate My Wellness an all-in-one platform designed to elevate your well-being journey.

Education Reimbursement

A generous Learning and Employee Development program is available, including Education Reimbursement for employees seeking additional training and professional development.

NOTE: Benefit and Retirement information may vary from bargaining unit to bargaining unit. Due to changes in State Law, current pension provisions described in the union contracts are not automatically applied. Specific pension benefits for new hires who start on or after January 1, 2013 may be different than indicated in the union contracts.

Click here to access all Memoranda of Understanding and most recent Summary of Changes.

01

Please answer the following questions. Completion of the following supplemental questions is REQUIRED and is an integral part of the evaluation process. Initially, it will be used to determine minimum qualifications. For those applicants meeting the employment standards, this information will be critical in the subsequent competitive assessment to identify those candidates to be invited to continue in the examination process. Your responses to the questions may also be reviewed and scored in a Competitive Rating evaluation process based on pre-determined rating criteria. Your answers should be as complete as possible, as no additional information will be accepted from applicants once the Competitive Rating evaluation has begun. A response of "see resume" or "see application" will deem your application incomplete.

Include a detailed description of your work experience in the following format for EACH employer referenced, in each answer:

a) Employer Name

b) Job Title

c) Start Month/End Month Dates of Employment

d) Total Hours Worked per Week

e) Detailed Description of Job Duties

Do you understand the requirement to provide complete answers in order to determine relevant experience for each area in question?

• Yes
• No

02

What is your Santa Clara County Employee ID number? If you do not have a Santa Clara County Employee ID number, type "N/A".

03

What is the highest level of education you have completed?

• High School or GED equivalent
• College (1 to 29 semester units / 1 to 44 quarter units)
• College (30 to 59 semester units / 45 to 89 quarter units)
• College (60 to 89 semester units / 90 to 134 quarter units)
• College (90 to 119 semester units / 135 to 179 quarter units)
• College (120 or more semester units / 180 or more quarter units)
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree
• Doctoral Degree
• None of the above

04

Please select the field of study in which you have obtained a Bachelors Degree or higher.

• Psychology
• Sociology
• Education
• Social Work
• Child Development
• Related Field
• None

05

If you selected related field to the question above, list in the field. If not, type N/A.

06

Select the amount of full-time work experience you possess providing guidance, assistance, supervision and direction to youth with emotional, behavioral, or mental health needs at a residential facility.

• None
• One to less than two years
• Two to less than three years
• Three to less than four years
• Four to less than five years
• Five or more years

07

Describe your experience providing guidance, assistance, supervision and direction to youth with emotional, behavioral, or mental health needs at a residential facility. Include name of employer, work title, dates of employment (month/year began to month/year ended) and number of hours worked per week. If you do not possess this type of experience, state "None".

08

Do you possess experience working with multi-disciplinary teams?

• Yes
• No

09

Describe your experience working with working with multi-disciplinary teams. Include your role, name of employer, job title, dates worked (month/year began to month/year ended) and number of hours worked per week. If you do not possess this type of experience, state "None".

10

Do you possess experience working with de-escalation models, trauma-informed approach models, therapeutic crisis intervention, or similar crisis prevention techniques?

• Yes
• No

11

Describe your experience working with de-escalation models, trauma-informed approach models, therapeutic crisis intervention, or similar crisis prevention techniques. Include actual examples, name of employer, work title, dates of employment (month/year began to month/year ended) and number of hours worked per week. If you do not possess this type of experience, state "None".

12

How did you find out/hear about this job?

• In Person Job Fair
• Contacted by County Recruiter
• Email Newsletter
• Virtual Event
• Community Event
• Social Media: Facebook or Instagram
• County of Santa Clara Job Interests Email Notification
• Student Career Center
• Handshake
• Professional Association
• Contacted by an External Staffing Firm
• Hospital Website
• Search Engine (Google, Bing, online search, etc.)
• Governmentjobs.com
• LinkedIn
• Indeed
• Employee Referral: Friends, Families and Coworkers
• County of Santa Clara Career Website
• Other (Specify in the next question)

13

If you selected an event/fair or other in the question above, please specify. If not, type N/A.

Required Question

Employer County of Santa Clara

Address 70 W. Hedding Street

8th Floor, East Wing

San Jose, California, 95110

Phone (408) 299-6816

Website http://www.sccjobs.org/