Residential Counselor

Overview

Come join a team of dedicated and compassionate staff at a new 16-bed state-of-the-art Secure Residential Facility in Essex, Vermont. You will play an essential role in the person-centered treatment of adults with severe mental illness. The facility is over 17,000 square feet with a separate full-size gymnasium.

Residential Counselor duties involve the care of residents within the facility and out in the community. Residential Counselors provide education, support with life skills and milieu management. Residential Counselors support residents to appointments in the community, activities and various community visits. Duties include co-facilitating groups and activities. Residential Counselors observe resident behavior and respond therapeutically with the aim to facilitate community inclusion, independence, and skill acquisition.

There are 3 separate levels within this job class. Although some job duties are shared throughout the job class, there are differences in some responsibilities including expectations around the facilitation of groups, leadership roles on the floor, etc.

We are currently recruiting for the day and night shift. There is a pay rate shift differential given to those who work weekend and as well as those who work nights (6:30 pm - 7:00 am). Night shift is $4.00 for all shifts worked and both shifts receive a weekend differential of $1.50/hour.

• This position is eligible for full retirement after 20 years of service in eligible positions in recognition of the challenges of front-line mental health work.
• More information can be found here.
• As a State employee you are offered a great career opportunity, but it's more than a paycheck. The State's total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits that are worth about 30% of your total compensation, including:
• 80% State paid medical premium and a dental plan at no cost for employees and their families
• Work/Life balance: 11 paid holidays each year and a generous leave plan
• State Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FMLI)
• Two ways to save for your retirement: A State defined benefit pension plan and a deferred compensation 457(b) plan
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible spending healthcare and childcare reimbursement accounts
• Low cost group life insurance
• Incentive-based Wellness Program
• Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Want the specifics? Explore the Benefits of State Employment on our website.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of Vermont celebrates diversity, and is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect and meaningful inclusion that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The State does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, membership in an employee organization, family medical history or genetic information, or family or parental status.

The State's employment decisions are merit-based. Retaliatory adverse employment actions by the State are forbidden.

Who May Apply
This position, Residential Counselor I (Job Requisition #53778), is open to all State employees and external applicants.

If you would like more information about this position, please contact troy.parah
1.

Resumes will not be accepted via e-mail. You must apply online to be considered.

Candidates, including current State employees seeking transfer, promotion, demotion, or persons exercising re-employment rights, must pass a fingerprint supported background investigation applicable to the position. Additionally, in accordance with AHS Policy 4.02 - Hiring Standards, Vermont and/or national criminal record checks, as well as DMV and adult and child abuse registry checks, as appropriate to the position under recruitment, will be conducted on candidates.

Hiring managers will notify applicants who are in the final stage of the interview process of the finger-printing and background check requirement, to which an applicant must agree to be deemed eligible for this position. Applicants will have the right to withdraw their applications before finger-printing and/or a background investigation is conducted.

Environmental Factors
Employees regularly interact with individuals experiencing serious mental illness, who present with various levels of risk to self or others such as assaultive behavior, elopement risk, self-harm, suicide; and may be exposed to infectious diseases and caustic detergents.

Minimum Qualifications
Six (6) months of experience in a human services, health care, public administration or related field.
OR
Enrollment in a degree program matriculating towards a degree in a human services, health care, public administration or…