Residential Counselor I

at State of Vermont in Essex, Vermont, United States

Job Description

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 a treatment of the 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.

The work accomplished by this position is directly linked to the Department of Mental Health's mission to promote mental health as a vital part of overall well-being by advancing prevention, early intervention, and recovery-focused care. Our vision is that mental health is a cornerstone of health in Vermont. Vermonters live in caring, inclusive communities that respond with compassion and respect to mental health needs, ensuring everyone can thrive and participate fully in their lives. The work done toward our vision and mission uses the values of compassion, equity, integrity, collaboration, and accountability. Please review the Department's Vision, Mission, and Values at About Us | Department of Mental Health.

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.