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CREATIVE ALTERNATIVES logo

Counselor II

CREATIVE ALTERNATIVES·Merced, California

$20 - $22/hr·Full Time·On Site·2-5 yrs·Posted 23 hours ago
Practice for this role

About the role

The counselor is responsible for the daily supervision, protection, and care of children in a residential setting while providing mental health rehabilitation services. They must maintain facility operations, document client progress, and implement trauma-informed behavioral interventions.

Job DetailsJob Location

  • Merced,
  • CA 95348Position
  • Type:
  • Full
  • TimeEducation
  • Level: 4
  • Year
  • DegreeSalary
  • Range: $19.50 - $21.50
  • HourlyJob
  • Shift:
  • AnyQualifications:
  • Must meet one of the following: Bachelor of Arts or Science degree Two years’ full-time experience or equivalent, working with population to be served, or equivalent education or experience as determined by CDSS. (Experience shall be verified as having been paid or volunteer with duties that required direct supervision and care of population served.) Prior to assuming duties, individual shall complete a minimum of one hour of training as specified in Section 87065.1(a) in addition to training required in Sections 87065.1(c) and (d) Must be 21 years of age Meet all state licensing and insurance requirements Must pass a DOJ, FBI, and Child Abuse index clearance Valid California driver's license with minimum 2 years’ driving experience required
  • Good driving record: Department of Motor Vehicles printout required
  • Must pass
  • LIC 503
  • Health
  • Screening
  • Report and
  • TB clearance
  • Knowledge of: And understanding of the needs of children served in a children’s residential setting
  • Ability to: Engage and develop a rapport with children who have diverse backgrounds. Provide consistency and behavioral limits through relationship-based interventions. Communicate effectively and solve problems in a collaborative manner. Learn and understand the needs of children served in a residential children’s setting. Develop appropriate relationships with clients who have various backgrounds. Apply the Reasonable Prudent Parent Standard as necessary. Utilize skills in crisis intervention, conflict resolution, and interpersonal communication. Work effectively with staff and administration. Communicate effectively with team members and outside agencies. Implement strong written and verbal communication skills. Successfully complete Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) post testing course work in emergency intervention and demonstrate “hands on” competency in emergency intervention techniques (per CCL regulation 84802(g), Title 22).
  • Essential
  • Functions and
  • Responsibilities: Managing the day-to day operation of the facility in the absence of a supervisor. Ensuring appropriate care and supervision is provided to children in according to applicable law, licensing regulations, and the agency’s policies. Supervision, protection, and care of children at all times, individually and in groups. Overseeing the planned activities required to be available to children. Ensuring general upkeep of the facility. Provide mental health services including individual and group rehabilitation services. Write a progress note during each shift for each client. Assistance to each child working with a group and in handling individual problems. Administration of discipline and setting of limits for behavior that are consistent with trauma informed care standards. Notations of the child’s program; identification of the possible need for additional professional services, and communication of such findings to facility supervisor and professional staff. Assistance with the provision of or access to the core services and support, daily activities, and emotional and social supports, as necessary. Reporting to the Facility Supervisor and making recommendations to address identified problems. Applying interventions, techniques, and practices that are trauma informed, culturally relevant, age and developmentally appropriate and consistent with a child’s needs and service plan and treatment plan. Maintain appropriate documentation. Perform various food service and housekeeping functions, including cooking, cleaning and laundry. Transport clients in company vehicles. Participate in crisis intervention as necessary. Complete incident reports as necessary. Participate in staff meetings and training as scheduled. Perform appropriate record keeping such as staff logs, medication charts, allowance records, and menus. Other duties that may be necessary to ensure the health and safety of children in the facility.
  • Physical
  • Demands: Must be able to bend at the waist, kneel, crouch, climb and balance. Must be able to read, write, and visually see clients. Must be able to hear with or without the use of hearing aid(s) sufficient to hear conversations with others, understandable voice and speech patterns. Must have manual dexterity and coordination sufficient to operate office equipment. Must be able to sit, stand and/or walk for extended periods of time. Must have use of hands to handle and/or feel; reach with hands and arms. Must frequently lift, push, pull or carry up to 25 lbs. **Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
  • Direct
  • Supervisor: Facility Supervisor Creative Alternatives is an “at will” employer and as an employee you retain the right to terminate your employment at any time and the agency has the right to terminate your employment at any time with or without cause. See Employee Handbook for detailed explanation. I understand this is a general description of this job. I also understand there are other duties not fully covered above and that I may be asked to perform other reasonable, lawful duties. Management retains the discretion to add or to change the duties of the position at any time.
  • QualificationsQualifications:
  • Must meet one of the following: Bachelor of Arts or Science degree Two years’ full-time experience or equivalent, working with population to be served, or equivalent education or experience as determined by CDSS. (Experience shall be verified as having been paid or volunteer with duties that required direct supervision and care of population served.)
  • Prior to assuming duties, individual shall complete a minimum of one hour of training as specified in Section 87065.1(a) in addition to training required in Sections 87065.1(c) and (d)
  • Must be 21 years of age
  • Meet all state licensing and insurance requirements
  • Must pass a DOJ, FBI, and Child Abuse index clearance
  • Valid California driver's license
  • Good driving record: Department of Motor Vehicles printout required
  • Must pass LIC 503 Health Screening Report and TB clearance

Requirements

Candidates must hold a bachelor's degree or have two years of relevant experience, be at least 21 years old, and possess a valid California driver's license. Applicants are required to pass comprehensive background checks, including DOJ, FBI, and Child Abuse index clearances, as well as health and TB screenings.

  • bachelor degree
  • Housekeeping
  • Documentation
  • Driving
  • Conflict resolution
  • Record keeping
  • Problem solving
  • Interpersonal communication
  • Crisis intervention
  • Case management
  • Trauma informed care
  • Collaborative teamwork
  • Food service
  • Client supervision
  • Facility management
  • Behavioral intervention

Posting details

Employment type
Full Time
Work arrangement
On Site
Experience
2-5 yrs
Salary
$20 - $22/hr
Location
Merced, California
Posted
Jul 28, 2026
Closes
Aug 3, 2026
Application
Employer website
CREATIVE ALTERNATIVES logo

Hiring organization

CREATIVE ALTERNATIVES

Creative Alternatives is a Foster Family Agency. MISSION STATEMENT: Creative Alternatives was founded to provide a safe and nurturing environment for troubled youth. With 35 years of experience Creative Alternatives continues to do so, with more sophistication and expertise than...

Salary listed on 2 jobs
IndustryNon-profit Organizations
TypeNonprofit
Size501-1,000 employees
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Market context

California counseling roles stay competitive

In California, Counselor II roles are often competitive because employers look for licensure or DHCS-approved SUD certification, ASAM training, bilingual English-Spanish skills, and a valid driver’s license. Demand is typically steady in behavioral health and substance use treatment settings, where candidates who can document compliance, communication skills, and readiness for field-based work stand out. Review the AI-summarized requirements and benefits on this platform to save time, then confirm your licensure path and gather background-check and screening documents before applying.

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