MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR I

Buckelew Programs Inc; Novato (CA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Retirement savings plan with company match

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Buckelew Programs Inc in Novato is seeking a dedicated Mental Health Counselor I to join our Residential Support Services team. In this full-time position, you will provide essential support to clients living independently, assisting them with daily living activities and offering person-centered care.

The role requires strong organizational and time-management skills, as well as fluency in English and preferably Spanish. Benefits include medical and dental insurance, paid meal breaks, and generous time off.

Qualifications

• Experience working with individuals with mental health and/or substance use disorders preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain professional boundaries.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• Capacity for sustained physical activity.

Responsibilities

• Assist clients with activities of daily living.
• Monitor and report on client well-being.
• Support clients with meal planning and preparation.
• Provide transportation for clients.
• Conduct basic housekeeping tasks.

Skills

Fluent in English

Bilingual in English and Spanish

Organizational skills

Time management

Proficiency in Microsoft Office

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Overview

Join Buckelew and work with great people doing great things. Buckelew Programs is a leading provider of behavioral healthcare services in the North Bay, providing compassionate mental health, supported housing and substance use treatment. We are seeking a Mental Health Counselor I to join our Residential Support Services (RSS) team. RSS offers affordable housing with 24/7 individualized care that includes meals, medication management, support with independent living skills, intensive case management, and social rehabilitation groups. In this role, you will provide direct support to clients living independently within the Buckelew housing environment. You will play a vital role in fostering recovery, self-sufficiency, and independence by assisting with daily living activities and providing consistent, person-centered care. This is a onsite, full-time position, working Sunday 9:00 am through Tuesday 1:00 pm. This includes 2 overnights with unpaid sleep time. Paid meal breaks are included.

Responsibilities

Administrative Responsibilities

• Collaborate effectively as part of a team, maintaining prompt and clear communication with colleagues.
• Complete and maintain timely, accurate documentation including client notes, mileage logs, and other required records.
• Performs Electronic Health Record (EHR) medication documentation duties.

Client Support Responsibilities

• Teach and assist clients with activities of daily living, adapting support to their individual needs and readiness levels.
• Monitor and report on client well-being, including mood and behavior. Ensure and model adherence to agency safety protocols.
• Support clients with meal planning, grocery shopping, and meal preparation, offering skill-building assistance as appropriate.
• Provide medication prompts, ensure proper storage, monitor adherence, and support timely refills as required by program guidelines.
• Provide client transportation using personal or agency vehicles; support clients in learning and using public transportation.
• Assist clients with attending and coordinating medical appointments.

Household And Maintenance Responsibilities

• Perform general housekeeping tasks (e.g., vacuuming, dishwashing, dusting) as needed.
• Conduct basic maintenance tasks (e.g., replacing light bulbs, checking smoke detectors) and report major repair needs to the supervisor.
• Maintain adequate household supplies and restock as needed.

Program Quality and Compliance

• Deliver services that align with program goals, emphasizing client progress and satisfaction.
• Comply with all legal, regulatory, and contractual standards (e.g., CARF, Medi-Cal, HUD) and maintain program certifications and licensing requirements.

Qualifications

Education And Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Experience working with individuals with mental health and/or substance use disorders preferred.

Professional Requirements

• Fluent in English; bilingual in English and Spanish preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain professional boundaries, exercise sound judgment, and work independently in a calm, organized, and empathetic manner.
• Interest and comfort in working with individuals with behavioral health needs.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills; ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) at a basic to intermediate level.
• Must be a dependable, flexible, and collaborative team player.
• Valid California driver’s license, an insurable driving record, and access to a personal, insured vehicle required.
• Ability to pass a Live Scan background check, as required by program regulations.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to perform intermittent physical activities including sitting, standing, driving, talking, listening, seeing, bending, squatting, reaching, lifting (up to 30 lbs.), and using hands for grasping or typing.
• Capacity for sustained physical activity such as driving, writing, standing, or computer work.

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision and life and long-term disability insurance, Employee Assistance Program, flexible spending accounts for health, dependent and transit costs, retirement savings plan with company match, eligibility for loan forgiveness, continuing education credits available through our learning management system, discount program, paid meal breaks and generous paid time off.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating a workplace that celebrates diversity, promotes equality, and fosters inclusion. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.