Float Milieu Counselor

Jefferson Center for Mental Health; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Jefferson Center for Mental Health in Denver, CO is seeking a Residential Counselor Float to staff Youth Residential Recovery, Youth Crisis Stabilization, and Adult Withdrawal Management programs. The role provides direct care, crisis intervention, documentation, and recovery support across shifts, including days, evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays.

Responsibilities include trauma-informed milieu management, de-escalation, coordinating treatment referrals, and collaborating with

Qualifications

• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in psychology, counseling, human services, or social work; preferably 1 year behavioral health experience.
• High school diploma with 1 year human services experience may substitute for the degree.
• CAT/CAS certification preferred; if not certified, must obtain within 18 months of hire.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• QMAP certification or ability to obtain within six months of hire.
• Current CPR/First Aid certification or ability to obtain within six months of hire.
• Valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.
• Extensive background check including FBI, CBI, TRAILS, drug screening, and sex offender checks.

Responsibilities

• Provides milieu management, guidance, safety, stability, and direction to clients in early recovery.
• Maintains punctuality and consistent attendance.
• Interacts with clients with guidance, safety, stability, and de-escalation of potentially dangerous situations.
• Performs accurate shift notes, admissions, discharges, MORs, and program records.
• Monitors vital signs and can administer BP assessments.
• Assists in planning and supervising patient activities and meetings.
• Monitors Breath Alcohol tests as needed and documents results.
• Administers medications per QMAP standards.
• Assists with random urine drug testing.
• Facilitates psychoeducation groups.
• Coordinates treatment referrals for ongoing care after discharge.
• Uses de-escalation and crisis intervention techniques.
• Assigns and monitors unit chores and maintains cleanliness.
• Maintains documentation compliant with regulatory standards.
• Ensures continuity of care through shift-to-shift communication.
• Collaborates with residential, clinical, nursing, psychiatric, and leadership teams.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

De-escalation

Communication

Documentation

Crisis intervention

Team collaboration

Education

Associate/Bachelor’s degree in psychology/counseling/human services/social work

High school diploma with 1 year human services experience

CAT/CAS certification preferred

QMAP certification or ability to obtain within 6 months

CPR/First Aid certification or ability to obtain within 6 months

Valid Driver’s License

Background check requirements (FBI/CBI/Trails/Drug screen/Sex Offender)

Job description

At Jefferson Center, it is our policy and our mission to be inclusive and mindful of the diversity of everyone who comes through our doors. We are passionate about building a community where mental health matters and equitable care is accessible to all races, ethnicities, abilities, socioeconomic statuses, ages, sexual orientations, gender expressions, religions, cultures, and languages.

Residential Counselor Float ("Milieu Counselor")

the position provides direct care, supervision, crisis intervention, and recovery support services across Jefferson Center's residential continuum, including Youth Residential Recovery (YRR), Youth Crisis Stabilization (YCS), and Adult Withdrawal Management (AWM) programs. This position is designed to provide staffing flexibility and continuity of care by covering vacancies, vacations, leaves, high-acuity needs, and census fluctuations across residential programs.

The Residential Counselor Float works collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to maintain a safe, structured, and therapeutic environment while supporting clients in stabilization, recovery, skill development, and treatment engagement. Assignments may vary based on program needs and may include day, evening, overnight, weekend, and holiday shifts.

Requirements

This position is a floating residential role supporting multiple residential programs. Assignments and schedules will rotate based on program staffing needs, census, client acuity, and operational requirements. Staff may be assigned to:

• Day shifts
• Evening shifts
• Awake overnight shifts
• Weekends
• Holidays

Education, Knowledge, Skills & Experience Required

• Associate Degree or Bachelor’s degree in a related field (psychology, counseling, human services, or social work) and preferably one year of documented work experience in behavioral health, preferably in substance abuse treatment.
• A high school diploma, or equivalent and one year’s experience in the human services field may be substituted for the required college.
• Addictions Certification (CAT/CAS) preferred.
• Applicants hired without certification must obtain CAT or CAS within 18 months of hire.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• QMAP Certification or ability to obtain within six months of hire.
• Current CPR/First Aid Certification or ability to obtain within six months of hire.
• Valid Driver’s License with a driving record that meets agency requirements.
• Applicants will go through an extensive background check including but not limited to: FBI, CBI, TRAILS, Drug Screening, Sex Offender Checks.

Essential Duties

• Provides milieu management, guidance, safety, stability, and direction to clients in early recovery from a trauma-informed lens.
• Maintains acceptable attendance and punctuality and is consistently at work on time.
• Interacts with client population to provide guidance, safety, stability, and direction including de-escalating potentially dangerous situations.
• Performs accurate and timely documentation at all times, including but not limited to admissions, shift notes, Per Diem notes, discharges, inventories and screening of clients’ personal belongings, individual and group sessions, Medication Occurrences (MOR), and Adverse Incident Reports (AIR).
• Monitors and documents client’s vital signs, physical condition and behavior, as needed. Must be able to administer blood pressure assessments, utilizing blood pressure cuffs, when Nurse is not available.
• Assists with the planning, conducting and supervision of patient activities, including community meetings, groups, external meetings on-site, family/friend visitation, recreational activities, and life skills.
• Monitors Breath Alcohol (BA) tests as needed and document appropriately.
• Administers medications to clients per QMAP standards.
• Assist in conducting Random Urine Drug Testing.
• Facilitate or co-facilitate psychoeducation groups.
• Assists team in the coordination of treatment referrals for clients motivated to seek on-going treatment following discharge.
• Utilizes approved de-escalation and crisis intervention techniques.
• Assign and monitor clients completing residential unit chores, including main areas, hallways, bedrooms and bathrooms.
• Completes required shift notes, incident reports, admissions documentation, discharge documentation, and program records.
• Maintains accurate and timely documentation in accordance with agency, licensing, Medicaid, and accreditation standards.
• Provides effective shift-to-shift communication to ensure continuity of care.
• Collaborates with residential, clinical, nursing, psychiatric, and leadership teams.
• Collaborate with kitchen staff regarding meals and snacks.
• Practices OSHA safety standards and disposes of biohazard waste according to OSHA standards.
• May assist in transporting admitted clients to hospitals, aftercare or other approved services as directed by the Shift Coordinator or Program Coordinator. Individual may be exposed adverse weather conditions during loading and unloading passengers.
• Effectively responds to the client’s needs and problems, initiates and maintains positive interactions, timely response to phone calls, email and other requests.
• Adheres to all Jefferson Center Policies and Procedures.
• Ensures Critical Incident Reporting (CIR) procedures are followed during shift.
• Attends mandatory in-services, staff meetings, clinical supervision, and on-line training as required.
• Participates in supervision by coming prepared with an agenda. Reports high risk/problem cases using a problem-solving approach as well as feedback.
• Participates in and promotes a positive, supportive, cooperative team environment.
• Participates in staff development activities that enhance professional growth.
• Understand how trauma impacts the lives of the people being served, so that every interaction is consistent with the recovery process and reduces the possibility of re-traumatization.
• Participates in the Center’s training/educational programs designed to enhance knowledge about Trauma Informed Care, the impact of trauma and trauma recovery.
• Ensure that delivery practices are guided by the principles of trauma informed care and the principles of addiction treatment.
• Maintains effective interpersonal relations with consumers, peers, subordinates, upper management, visitors, and the public. Uses language and behavior to promote dignity and respect.
• Corporate Compliance including documentation on practice in accordance with regulatory requirements and clinical guidelines.
• Exhibits enthusiasm, respect, adaptability, flexibility, and spirit of cooperation in the work environment.
• Must be sensitive to the diverse cultural and situational needs of the patients.
• Support other 24/7 programs and services as needed to ensure safe, effective, and continuous service delivery, including providing leadership, consultation, operational support, and coverage during periods of increased need or staffing shortages.

Float Responsibilities

• Provides staffing coverage across Youth Residential Recovery, Youth Crisis Stabilization, and Adult Withdrawal Management programs.
• Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability while working with varying populations and levels of acuity.
• Maintains competency in program procedures and treatment approaches across assigned service lines.
• Accepts rotating assignments based on operational needs, staffing levels, and client care requirements.
• Works a flexible schedule, including days, evenings, awake overnights, weekends, and holidays.

Note: Employees are held accountable for all duties of this job. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job.

Salary Grade 49 (High School/GED)

$50,000 annually ($24.04/hr)*

Salary Grade 50 (Bachelor's Degree)

$55,000 annually ($26.45/hr)*

Additional Salary Information*

• The salary range above is based on 1.0 FTE (full time equivalent) or 40 hours per week. Less than 40 hours/week will be prorated and adjusted to the appropriate FTE.*

Application Deadline

This position will remain posted until filled. We encourage applicants to apply by 10/13/2026 for priority consideration.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.