Residential Counselor

IMDiversity; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 46,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Alexandria seeks a dedicated Residential Counselor to provide services for individuals with mental illness, developmental disabilities, or substance use concerns. You will assess needs, develop service plans, and support residents in daily living activities within a community residential setting.

The role requires empathy, crisis awareness, and the ability to guide residents toward learning essential skills, while ensuring safety and compliance with regulations.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED and post-high-school training in behavioral health or related field.
• Ability to identify crisis indicators and coordinate with treatment teams.
• Experience or training in guiding residents in daily living skills.

Responsibilities

• Complete assessments and develop individualized service plans.
• Maintain clinical records following licensing and Medicaid regulations.
• Instruct residents in basic living skills and monitor progress with notes.
• Assist with medication management and report concerns to the treatment team.
• Participate in treatment team meetings and coordinate recreational/educational activities.
• Identify and respond to emergencies and crisis with referrals to resources.
• Assist residents with grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning and other ADL tasks.
• Provide transportation for residents using City vehicles.

Skills

Empathy

Crisis identification

Planning & supervision

Living skills instruction

Education

HS Diploma or GED

Post-high-school training in behavioral/mental health

Tools

Driver's license

Job description

Residential Counselor

Salary
$45,798.74 - $61,348.56 Annually

Location
Alexandria, VA

Job Type
Full-Time

Job Number
2027-00511

Department
Department of Community and Human Services

Division
CENTER FOR ADULT SERVICES

Bargaining Unit
N/A

Description

Residential Counselor

The City of Alexandria is located in northern Virginia and is bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington and Fairfax counties. With a population of approximately 150,000 and a land area of 15.75 square miles, Alexandria is the seventh largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Alexandria has a charming waterfront and is a unique and historic place to live and work. If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for our Residential Counselor position.

An Overview

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, help and train residents in their daily living skills.

What You Should Bring

The Residential Counselor should have good knowledge of large household coordination and maintenance; good knowledge of the nature of 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 situation; 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.

The Opportunity

• Complete all applicable assessment documents to develop individualized service plans; write weekly progress notes.
• Maintains clinical records following all applicable licensing and Medicaid regulations.
• Instructs and guides residents in the completion of tasks to ensure the development of skills and confidence, and monitors, evaluates and records resident’s performance through written progress notes.
• Monitors medication management of residents by observation and reporting medication concerns to treatment team and/or supervisor.
• Participates in treatment team meetings.
• Assist residents in planning recreational and educational activities.
• Identifies and responds to personal emergencies and crisis with referral to appropriate community resources and treatment team.
• Report all maintenance issues of the facility.
• Assist residents with grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning, and other ADL skill building.
• Provides transportation for residents using City Vehicles.
• Call the relief counselor telephone list to find coverage for your shift when using sick or annual leave.
• Performs related work as required.

About the Department

The Center for Adult Services (CAS) provides programs and services in Aging; Adult Protective Services; Clinical & Emergency Services; and Community & Residential Support Services for seniors and for persons with mental illness, intellectual disabilities and substance use disorders. CAS provides compassionate and effective person-centered services based on best practices. Our teams support self-determination, safety and recovery for Alexandria residents affected by abuse, neglect, mental illness, intellectual disabilities and substance abuse disorders.

Minimum & Additional Requirements

High School Diploma or GED plus completion of post-high-school training/education pertaining to 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. Employees in this class must possess a valid driver's license issued in the state of their residence.

Preferred Qualifications

Possession of a Bachelors’ degree in a human services field; licensed as a Qualified Mental Health Professional – Adult (QMHP-A) or able to be a Qualified Mental Health Professional – Adult (QMHP-A) trainee by the time of hiring. At least one year of experience working with individuals suffering from mental illnesses and/or substance abuse disorder.

Notes

This position requires the successful completion of pre-employment checks to include: Federal Records Check; Drug Testing; Medicare/Medicaid Fraud Database; VA State Child Abuse/Neglect Registry; Driver's License from state of residence and education/certifications.

Schedule:

Tuesday 10:00AM to 8:00PM & Thursday - Saturday 1:00PM to 11:00PM

As an Essential Employee, staff will be expected to be at work during weekends, nights, holidays, or inclement weather if they have been scheduled.

The City of Alexandria is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values diversity in its workforce. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, military status, or disability.