Children's Residential Care Counselor - Extra-

Overview

Make a difference in a child's life. Join us at Valley of the Moon Children's Center as an Extra-Help Children's Residential Care Counselor I!

This is an excellent opportunity to serve our community's youth and work with some of Sonoma County's finest trauma-informed youth counselors.

Starting salary up to $40.78/hour depending on experience.

As a Children's Residential Care Counselor I, you will carry out the mission of the Department by providing trauma-informed care services to youth in the day-to-day operations of one of the assigned residential programs s includes direct supervision of youth to ensure their safety and well-being, monitoring and implementing strategies for program participation, engagement, and setting limits.

Additional responsibilities include:

• Participating in Multi-Disciplinary Team meetings to provide feedback on youth behaviors, engagement, and progress towards goals
• Providing positive and nurturing experiences to children and youth, while maintaining care and supervision
• Teaching, coaching, and providing feedback to youth to help them develop a self-regulation skill set
• Providing transportation to and from school and coordinating recreational activities
• Documenting youth participation in activities, as well as their strengths, challenges, behaviors, interactions, and application of therapeutic skills
• Counseling youth to help minimize the trauma associated with separation from family members and/or guardians
• Planning and implementing small and large group activities, study support, and field trip activities
• Providing coaching, mentoring, and teaching of life skills, social skills, and coping mechanisms using established Trauma-Informed Care methods
• Utilizing Therapeutic Crisis Intervention techniques to de-escalate youth in acute crisis
• Administering medication to individual children per written instruction from medical providers
• Building relationships with a variety of youth and their caregivers as they transition out of VMCC

The ideal candidates will possess many of the following:

• A strong youth development and experiential learning background
• Experience in Trauma-Informed Care practices and working with youth who have experienced significant trauma
• Multiple years of experience working in a youth residential program, wilderness program/camp, or other environment requiring strong supervisory facilitation skills, interactive support, and coaching
• The ability to develop positive connections with youth while utilizing role-model, problem-solving, and conflict resolution practices
• An aptitude for monitoring and intervening in high-risk behaviors, handling crises, and providing consistency and behavioral limits through relationship-based interventions
• An understanding of Cultural Competence and diversity
• Expertise in teaching and modeling the Department's mission, vision, and values
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• The ability to problem-solve and/or negotiate in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Basic computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel

PLEASE NOTE: VMCC operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. therefore the ability to work evenings and weekend hours is required. Applicants must be willing to undergo a thorough background investigation, psychological evaluation, fingerprinting, criminal history, and a medical and physical abilities examination prior to employment.

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.

For more information regarding VMCC services please visit:

Extra-Help Employment
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