Residential Counselor Job Description template and pdf with duties [2024]

Job summary 1

The Residential Counselor is responsible for the implementation of the residential unit's plans, procedures, and programs for up to twelve residents. This includes serving as the primary caregiver and role model to the children/adolescents, and supporting/implementing the successful integration of treatment and education services, ensuring the physical, emotional, and psychological needs of the residents are met.

Duties & Responsibilities 1

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Participates in/supervising homework, chores, and recreational activities and oversees daily routines including sleep, hygiene, dressing, etc.
Monitors and rewards appropriate behaviors
Creates opportunities for and teaching general life skills, such as cooking, personal hygiene, cleaning living areas, and maintaining clothes
Takes children in the van on off-grounds outings (e.g. movies, skating, field trips, and other amusements)
Assists in preparing and serving nutritionally balanced meals for special events, and cleaning up after meals
Plans proactively to prevent incidents and problems that arise among the children to de-escalate problems as quickly as possible; uses crisis intervention skills in communicating with children; assists with containments by Agency policies and practices.
- Participates in in-service training and meetings to develop and maintain effective child care/counseling skills, as required.
- Ensures that all campus transitions of residents to meals, schools, medical appointments, etc., are completed in a timely and safe fashion.
- Plans proactively to prevent incidents and problems that arise among the children to de-escalate problems as quickly as possible; uses crisis intervention skills in communicating with children; assists with containments by Agency policies and practices.

Requirements & Skills 1

BA/BS degree preferred
Three or more years experience working with at-risk youth in a group home, youth authority camp/juvenile hall, or mental health program preferred;
- Must have strong leadership skills
- Valid Driver’s License and proof of auto insurance required
- Must fulfill all requirements of employment, including clearance of all required background records (e.g. Department of Justice, Child Abuse, Community Care Licensing, County Sanction List, etc.), professional reference checks, physical examination, and drug testing.

Job summary 2

As a Residential Counselor, we know how much a team environment helps ensure you get the support you want and deserve!

Duties & Responsibilities 2

Conduct comprehensive patient assessments and develop treatment plans that identify patients’ needs and strengths
Provide individual and group counseling
Participate in weekly one-on-ones with your manager, as well as team meetings to discuss cases
- Coordinate and collaborate with other service providers and family members
- Maintain patient records consistent with regulatory requirements and quality assurance standards
- Perform other duties as defined by the Program Director

Requirements & Skills 2

Bachelor’s degree in Human Service, Social Work, or related field
Master’s degree in a program that will grant licensure in the state

Job summary 3

The Residential Counselor provides direct support services to individuals with developmental disabilities in a residential program, completes assessments, and writes daily progress notes and incident reports. Supervises the daily living activities of individuals in a group home setting and guides residents in the development and implementation of their person-centered plans. The Residential Counselor will have some knowledge of providing support to adults with intellectual disabilities that promote individual choice, community integration, and self-determination. The Residential Counselor will have some knowledge of person-centered practices, universal language, and positive behavioral supports. The Residential Counselor will have some knowledge of using strategies/techniques to facilitate the development of meaningful relationships, community connections, and recreational and social activities and; Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, their families, and co-workers.

Duties & Responsibilities 3

Supports residents in the development and implementation of an individualized service plan that reflects person-centered practices;
Instructs and guides residents in the completion of tasks to assist with the development of skills in the completion of daily living skills and tasks including personal hygiene; managing finances; planning social and leisure activities; making healthy choices for health, nutrition, and safety; and accessing the community;
Monitors medication management of residents by observation and/or administration, as applicable, and reports concerns to support team and/or supervisor;
Monitors evaluate, and records residents’ progress through written progress notes;
Completes all applicable assessment documents to develop person-centered service plans; writes progress notes and incident reports.
Maintains clinical records following all applicable licensing and Medicaid regulations;
- Ensures interior and exterior routine cleaning, and maintenance and reports repairs needed via the maintenance request system and follows up to ensure completion;
- Attends supervisory and staff meetings regularly;
- Performs related work as required.

Requirements & Skills 3

High School Diploma or GED plus completion of post-high-school training/education about behavioral health, medical health, substance abuse, and/or mental health; at least one year of direct work experience with individuals served by the specific program where the position is located (Intellectual Disability, Mental Illness, and/or Substance Abuse/Dependence); or an equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
Must have a valid driver’s license.
At least three (3) years of recent experience working in a residential setting with adults with developmental disabilities.
- Good ability to communicate clearly and effectively orally and in writing.
- Good driver’s record.
- Must possess basic computer skills; have the ability to work nights, weekends, and holidays when required.

Job summary 4

The Residential Counselor provides basic day-to-day support to tenants and building operations in residential programs. Responsible for assisting tenants living in supportive housing projects with their daily needs, with special emphasis on challenges related to severe and persistent mental illness and substance use disorders. Responsible for daily crisis management, tenant relationship management, and effective and safe daily building operations. Works closely with tenants, program staff, and other community providers to support tenants as they transition from homelessness to safe, secure, long-term housing. Overnight shifts are required. Weekend work is required.

Duties & Responsibilities 4

Shift Differential pay is included for overnight shifts.
Interacts with residents in the general lobby and common areas, maintaining a positive and supportive environment.
Operates all functions in the residential lobby, including checking visitors in and out, answering telephones, and monitoring security systems.
Assists in the initiation, facilitation, and promotion of on-site activities, outings, and community meetings.
Maintains safety and security by monitoring all general access areas and enforcing project rules.
Intervenes in crises, respond to emergencies, and initiate action as required, including contact with emergency response systems.
- Assists case management staff in engaging residents through creative, resourceful strategies that build trust and confidence.
- Works cooperatively with case managers and other program and partner staff and assist staff in the coordination of services to residents.
- Processes and maintains required paperwork and documentation, including daily residential activity logs.

Requirements & Skills 4

Assists with other property management functions as assigned.
Minimum High School Diploma or GED
- Two-year degree preferred
- One year of experience
- Some experience in human services, preferable experience with the issues of homelessness, mental illness, and chemical dependency preferred

Job summary 5

The Residential Counselor assists the Program Administrator in the day-to-day operation of the group home. He/she is responsible for the development of individual rehabilitation and treatment plans for residents and provides direct skill teaching and programming within the context of the psychosocial rehabilitation model.

Duties & Responsibilities 5

Provide supportive counseling and assist clients in problem-solving and decision-making in an individual or small group setting.
Implement recreational/social activities within and outside of the facility.
- Facilitate the client’s utilization of community resources as appropriate.
- Being available to cover open shifts as needed and proactively by checking the work schedule for potential work opportunities. This is inclusive of the first, second, and third shifts.
- Assisting in general administrative and routine maintenance duties of the facility. To include but not limited to washing windows, mopping floors, vacuuming, shoveling steps/ walkways, carrying groceries, etc. Lifting and carrying loads, of up to approximately 25 lbs. in an ergonomically correct fashion is expected.

Requirements & Skills 5

High School Diploma or Equivalent
Must have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation

Job summary 6

The role of the Residential Counselor is to provide individuals with assistance in all areas of daily living, community integration, education, counseling, and management of finances. The counselors provide emotional support and on-site integrated, goal-oriented, individualized services to assist program residents with developing and optimizing their strengths, skills, and available resources. The counselors demonstrate respect and empathy for the individual and consideration for his/her dignity and self-esteem while providing teaching and skill-building focused on developing independence while optimizing their quality of life.

Duties & Responsibilities 6

Requirements & Skills 6

Two years of college education or High School Equivalent and 2 years of direct care work experience
Must have a working knowledge of computer applications, and if applicable ability to navigate through electronic health records.
Must have and maintain a valid driver's license. Also, maintain an acceptable driving record and be insurable at a reasonable rate under the organization's auto insurance plan.

Job summary 7

The Residential Counselor provides residential services to individuals with serious mental illnesses, substance abuse disorders, and/or developmental disabilities, completes assessments, provides information to develop service plans, and provides assistance and training in daily living skills. The Residential Counselor will have good knowledge of large household coordination and maintenance; good knowledge of the nature of the mental illness, intellectual disabilities, or developmental delay and the role of residential support services; empathy with the problems of people with mental illness, intellectual disabilities, or developmental delay; ability to identify behavior which indicates movement toward a crisis; ability to plan and supervise the work of clients; ability to instruct clients in basic living skills and to identify progress and learning requirements; ability to obtain the cooperation of clients in difficult situations; ability to understand the needs and abilities of mentally ill or intellectual disabled citizens; and the ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.

Duties & Responsibilities 7

Requirements & Skills 7

High School Diploma or GED plus completion of post-high-school training/education about behavioral health, medical health, substance abuse, and/or mental health; at least one year of direct work experience with individuals served by the specific program where the position is located(Intellectual Disability, Mental Illness, and/or Substance Abuse/Dependence); or an equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
- Must possess a valid driver's license.
- Possession of a Bachelor’s degree in a human services field; Licensed or license eligible as a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP).
- One year of experience working with individuals suffering from mental illnesses and/or substance abuse disorder.

Job summary 8

We are currently seeking a dynamic Residential Counselor responsible for maintaining a safe milieu and providing patient-centered care for patients in a residential treatment setting that specializes in treating patients with co-occurring disorders.

Duties & Responsibilities 8

Requirements & Skills 8

High School Diploma or GED required
Minimum 1-year experience in the health field or equivalent
Licensed or certified as a chemical dependency counselor preferred
Must be registered to become licensed or certified as a CA AOD counselor within 90 days of hire
Experience working with addictions and/or co-occurring disorders strongly preferred.
Microsoft Office suite proficiency
- Must be water safety and rescue certified within 90 days of hire
- Must become certified in First Aid, AED, and CPR within 90 days of hire
- Excellent written and oral communication skills

Job summary 9

The Residential Counselor will be responsible for the maintenance and awake overnight supervision of the shelter component of The Center's youth services programming. This position provides for the physical, personal, and health needs of each youth by providing an atmosphere that is supportive and welcoming to all youth.

Duties & Responsibilities 9

Program Implementation: Using a trauma-informed and positive youth development approach, plan and execute activities to implement the shelter program which includes (but is not limited to) providing supervision, documentation of incident reports, maintaining a safe and nurturing environment, coordinating with the Host Home Case Manager in assessing youth for permanent housing placement.
Program Documentation and Evaluation: Maintain required documentation, manage and track grant deliverables, and ensure grant and contract compliance. Seek out strategies to evaluate and track program inputs, outputs, and outcomes.
In addition, this position will work two awake overnight shifts (10 hrs) per week in The Center's shelter for transitional aged youth and the remaining 4 hours will occur in daytime shift(s) during which time they will be working with the rest of the youth team.

Requirements & Skills 9

Education and/or Experience: A minimum of one year of experience in working with LGBT youth, youth living with HIV, and/or youth of color is preferred. Experience working with transgender and gender non-conforming youth preferred. Training in crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, and positive youth development is preferred. Prior experience working with youth experiencing homelessness and the foster care and juvenile dependency systems is preferred.
- Language Skills: Fluency in English is required. Fluency in Spanish preferred.
- Other Skills: Must demonstrate competence in working with a variety of diverse populations. Must have excellent interpersonal communication skills. Ability to manage multiple tasks with shifting priorities. Must have reliable transportation and the ability to work a flexible schedule. Those with lived experience as a member of a historically under-served community (i.e., low-income, communities of color, LGBT communities, immigrant communities, etc.) are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Computer Skills: Must be comfortable working in PC/Windows-based environments. Must have proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Word, Outlook, and Excel. Experience with using electronic health records is preferred.

Job summary 10

We are looking for a Residential Counselor.

Duties & Responsibilities 10

Checks/monitoring include apartment inspection, adherence to curfew times, and observance of the agreed-upon program policies.
Complete appropriate and required program documentation.
Encourage and reinforce independent living skills and provide support around transitioning to independent living, achieving individual goals, and planning for the future.
- Manage crises or emergencies as they arise and follow program protocol.
- Attend required training and team meetings.
- Provide support to Program Manager and Site Coordinator as needed

Requirements & Skills 10

Experience working with youth in Foster Care
Valid Driver’s license, a working car, proof of car insurance, and the ability to pass fingerprint and TB clearance are required.
2+ years of verifiable experience working with at-risk youth and/or young adults

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Residential Counselor Job Description

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