Supervising Children's Residential Care Counselor

Position Information

Advance your career while supporting the health and wellbeing of our community's youth.


Become a Supervising Children's Residential Care Counselor!
Starting salary up to $ 57.55 /hour ($ 120,113 /year) plus a competitive total compensation package!*

The Supervising Children’s Residential Care Counselor (SCRCC) serves as an integral member of the Valley of the Moon Children’s Center’s (VMCC) interdisciplinary team and is responsible for promoting and modeling the VMCCs mission, vision, and values while providing direction, leadership, and supervision to residential staff, including providing training, coaching, and oversight to Children’s Residential Care Counselors (CRCC) and volunteers who oversee the provision of daily needs for youth and implement trauma-informed care practices and policies. Additional responsibilities include:

• Supervising and managing Children’s Residential Care Counselors on assigned shifts
• Evaluating the performance of subordinate staff and providing feedback and training
• Supporting youth in understanding and implementing natural and logical consequences, setting limits for behavior, and developing new, healthier coping mechanisms
• Overseeing and providing support for positive youth development, including improving social skills, maintaining proper living standards, and caring for personal hygiene
• Passing medication to individual youth according to written instructions from the Staff Nurse and/or Physician
• Overseeing staff who plan and implement small and large group activities, including life skill development, coping skills development, recreational activities, play, study activities, and field trips
• Supervising and engaging children with care, curiosity, and compassion
• Observing the emotional and physiological conditions of youth, assisting in the development of resources, and making referrals to the appropriate community agencies
• Participating in the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT), Child and Family Team (CFT) meeting, and case conferences
• Restraining youth, when appropriate, for the safety and protection of themselves and others, using established protocols
• Ensuring that safety plans and the Individual Crisis Management Plan (ICMP) are developed, updated, understood, and in practice
• Participating in crisis de-escalation and containment, and mediating disputes among youth
• Documenting ongoing service delivery in accordance with program requirements

The ideal candidates will possess many of the following:

• Multiple years of experience working in a residential program or other environment that required highly organized client supervision
• A degree in child development, child psychology, behavioral and social psychology, sociology, social casework, social welfare, or counseling and guidance
• Experience leading staff in a fast-paced and ever-changing work environment
• The proven ability to monitor and intervene in high-risk behaviors and handle crisis
• Experience in supervising staff, and coaching and implementing trauma Informed practices with youth in the workplace
• An understanding of the impact trauma has on a child’s mental health as well as the physiology of the brain and development
• The ability to document incidents and staff issues clearly and concisely
• Experience working with youth who have sustained significant trauma
• An understanding of cultural competence and diversity, equity, and inclusion
• The ability to team with others in a meaningful and impactful way
• Experience, education, and knowledge with Trauma Informed Care Practice Framework and secondary trauma in the workplace
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Basic computer skills including Outlook, Word, and Excel

About Valley of the Moon Children’s Center (VMCC)

The Valley of the Moon Children’s Center is a resource hub for caregivers of foster youth and houses two residential programs; a 24-hour emergency shelter and a Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP). The STRTP is an intensive, residential therapeutic treatment services program designed to meet the behavioral and mental health needs of foster youth. The Emergency Shelter provides a stable, supportive, and nurturing environment for youth who have been separated from their families due to abandonment, abuse, or neglect.

About the Human Services Department (HSD)

As the largest agency in Sonoma County government, the Human Services Department’s mission is building upon strengths, we bridge people to opportunity through responsive safety-net services. We work to protect vulnerable children and adults, to help people rise above poverty and thrive in our community, and to promote maximum independence and well-being for individuals and families. HSD is responsible for child and adult protective services, veteran services, and administration of state and federal programs, including CalFRESH, CalWORKs, Medi-Cal, and In-Home Supportive Services. The department is dedicated to providing responsive, client-focused services so that all in our community can live freely chosen lives up to their full potential throughout their lifespan. The core values that drive our work are dignity, humility, integrity, responsiveness, partnership, and belonging.

HSD fosters a positive work environment, where our commitment to providing opportunities for advancement is strengthened by a robust staff development program. We believe in the merits of work/life balance and enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that our work contributes to the betterment of our community.

The Department works collaboratively at the federal, state, and local levels to find creative solutions to support the well-being of individuals, families, and the community. To meet that goal, the department has fostered strong relationships with other public and private sector partners, including other government agencies, community-based organizations, and business leaders. For more information regarding HSD's services please visit http://sonomacounty.ca.gov/Human-Services .

What We Offer

Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing your contributions work to better our shared community. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:

• Hybrid Telework - A schedule that meets the needs of our staff, department operations, and the communities we serve may be available depending on the assignment
• Salary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
• Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
• County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
• Staff Development/Wellness Pay - Annual benefit allowances of up to $940 and ongoing education/training opportunities
• Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
• Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security
• Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
• Student Loan Debt Relief - County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education

*Salary is negotiable. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can found in the Sonoma County Law Enforcement Association's Memorandum Of Understanding (SCLEA MOU) and our Employee Benefits Directory .

This recruitment is being conducted to fill two Supervising Children's Residential Care Counselor positions. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment.
APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience: Completion of one year of full-time experience at the level of Care Counselor II with Sonoma County.

Education: Completion of sixty semester units at an accredited college with at least nine semester units in child development, sociology, behavioral and social psychology, social casework, social welfare, counseling and guidance, child psychology or a closely related field in behavioral science would provide an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed.

Two years of full-time experience equivalent to the level of Care Counselor I with Sonoma County may be substituted for thirty semester units of coursework.

License: Possession of a valid California driver's license at the appropriate level, including necessary special endorsements, as required by the State of California to perform the essential job functions of the position.

Additional Requirements: Candidates certified for employment must be willing to undergo and successfully complete an in-depth background investigation, including a psychological evaluation, finger printing, a criminal history check, and a medical examination.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of: sociology, behavioral and social psychology; social casework, social welfare, counseling and guidance, child development, behavioral and related sciences; relationship to personality development, behavior patterns, motivation and group and family dynamics; psychological, behavioral, cultural factors and child development as they relate to dealing with dependent, abused or neglected children; typical child and youth behavior patterns and methods of guidance, counseling and modification of behavioral patterns; management and supervisory techniques that motivate and encourage the staff and Home assignees; apply the techniques of effective supervision.

Ability to: communicate orally and in writing, listen actively; relate to a wide variety of individuals from different socio-economic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds; make and record detailed observations; oversee the completion of essential reports; establish and maintain effective working relationships with subordinates, Resident children, supervisors, health and social services providers, families, volunteers, foster parents, law enforcement agencies, other departments and the public. Exercise good judgment and adopt effective courses of action in emergency situations; direct the activities of Care Counselors I and II in emergency situations; apply First Aid to children and staff; train and coach staff in all aspects of their job responsibilities.

Supervise the effective control of the home population; the bathing, dressing, feeding and provision of recreation to the children; work different shifts and on weekends and holidays; restrain children for the safety and protection of themselves and others.

Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying

• Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
• You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
• You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
• Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.

Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the application, examination, and department selection processes.

APPLICATION SUBMISSIONS REQUIRE THE SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE BE COMPLETED.

Responses to supplemental questions will be scored using position-specific criteria. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for a thorough assessment of your qualifications. Responses that state "See Resume" or "See Application" may be considered insufficient and therefore may not be scored.

The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:

An Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (weight 100%) will be conducted to evaluate each applicant's application and supplemental questionnaire for satisfaction of minimum qualifications (pass/not pass); and for educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities which relate to this position. Each applicant will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Relevance of work history, related experience, and achieved level of education and/or training as described in the application and responses to the supplemental questions.

Candidates demonstrating possession of the minimum qualifications will be placed on an employment list in order of most qualified to least qualified based on the achieved score received in the Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination which evaluates the education, training, experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, and other qualifications that you demonstrate in your application and/or response to the supplemental questionnaire. Please be aware that resumes and cover letters are not typically evaluated in the Application & Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination. Scores may be adjusted based on such factors as the number of candidates, anticipated vacancies, past practice, and natural breaks in the scores achieved by this group of candidates.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to applicants.

Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications are accepted online at: www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org . Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be RECEIVED by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.

The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.

HR Analyst: EP
HR Tech: EV

IMPORTANT NOTE: Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.

COUNTY OF SONOMA BENEFITS: GENERAL*

These are some of the excellent benefits the County offers:

Paid Time Off : Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and may be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment.

Health Plan :Choose from nine health plans (three HMOs, three deductible HMOs, and three HSA-qualifying plans) with a generousCounty contribution to the premium (the contribution amount varies by bargaining unit). For more information, please see the appropriate MOU.

Retirement :Fully integrated with Social Security.For more information regarding eligibility, retirement contributions, and reciprocity with prior public service, please visit https://scretire.org/active-/-deferred/when-you-are-hired .

IRS 457 Plan :Pre-tax employee contribution up to the IRS annual maximum.

Retiree Medical :County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits.

Student Loan Debt Relief :County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education.

Plus excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, professional development, and more.

For answers to specific questions regarding the employment process and more details about benefits or retirement, please contact Human Resources at (707) 565-2331.Additional details about benefit and compensation packages can be found in the MOUs located at https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources/divisions-and-units/employee-relations/labor-agreements-and-salary-resolution . For specific information about health and welfare benefits including plan options, coverage, and premium amounts go to https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/administrative-support-and-fiscal-services/human-resources or, contact the Human Resources' Risk Management-Benefits Office at benefits@sonoma-county.org or (707) 565-2900.

*IMPORTANT NOTES: Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice.

Closing Date/Time: 11/25/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

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• County of Sonoma

• 707-565-8059

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