Job Description

Overview

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.

Pursuant to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Interim Final Rule regarding COVID-19 Vaccination, the River Valley Therapeutic Residence (RVTR) is requiring all employees be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof of vaccination. Those with a medical condition or sincerely held religious belief preventing vaccination can request an exemption without fear of retaliation or impact on job candidacy. Such exemption must be approved by the State of Vermont prior to an effective start date with RVTR. If you wish to request exemption, please indicate this at the time of your interview and the necessary paperwork will be provided to you.

We are currently recruiting for the 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).

Who May Apply

This position, Residential Counselor I (Job Requisition #45895), is open to all State employees and external applicants.

Please Note: This position is being recruited at multiple levels. If you would like to be considered for more than one level, you MUST apply to the specific Job Requisition.

Level I: Job Requisition #45895

Level II: Job Requisition #45937

Level III: Job Requisition #45938

If you would like more information about this position, please contact .
Resumes will not be accepted via e-mail. You must apply online to be considered.

Candidates, including current State employees seeking transfer, promotion, demotion, or persons exercising re-employment rights, must pass a fingerprint supported background investigation applicable to the position. Additionally, in accordance with AHS Policy 4.02 - Hiring Standards, Vermont and/or national criminal record checks, as well as DMV and adult and child abuse registry checks, as appropriate to the position under recruitment, will be conducted on candidates. Hiring managers will notify applicants who are in the final stage of the interview process of the finger-printing and background check requirement, to which an applicant must agree to be deemed eligible for this position. Applicants will have the right to withdraw their applications before finger-printing and/or a background investigation is conducted.

Environmental Factors

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.

Minimum Qualifications

High School diploma or equivalent AND three (3) years or more of work experience, military service or college training INCLUDING one (1) year or more of experience in a human services setting.

OR

Associate\'s degree in a human services field AND one (1) year of work experience or military service.

OR

Bachelor\'s degree in a human services field.

Special Requirements

Active Driver\'s License is required.

Overtime work may be required to maintain safe staffing levels and is considered a condition of employment. The ability to work overtime as required is considered an essential function of this job class.

Mental and physical condition appropriate to successfully perform, with or without reasonable accommodations, the essential job functions.

Candidates must pass any level of background investigation applicable to the position. In accordance with AHS Policy 4.02, Hiring Standards, Vermont and/or national criminal record checks, as well as DMV and adult and child abuse registry checks, as appropriate to the position under recruitment, will be conducted on candidates, with the exception of those who are current classified state employees seeking transfer, promotion or demotion into an AHS classified position or are persons exercising re-employment (RIF) rights.

As part of RVTR\'s compliance with OSHA standard 1910.134(c) which requires employers to develop and implement a written respiratory protection program, RVTR administers fit testing procedures within this standard on site with all RVTR personnel as part of their initial facility orientation and annually thereafter.

Total Compensation

As a State employee you are offered a great career opportunity, but it\'s more than a paycheck. The State\'s total compensation package features an outstanding set of employee benefits that are worth about 30% of your total compensation, including:

• 80% State paid medical premium
• Dental Plan at no cost for employees and their families
• Flexible Spending healthcare and childcare reimbursement accounts
• Two ways to save for your retirement: A State defined benefit pension plan and a deferred compensation 457(b) plan
• Work/Life balance: 11 paid holidays each year and a generous leave plan; many jobs also allow for a flexible schedule
• Low cost group life insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Incentive-based Wellness Program
• Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Want the specifics? Explore the on our website.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of Vermont celebrates diversity, and is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect and meaningful inclusion that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The State does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, membership in an employee organization, family medical history or genetic information, or family or parental status. The State\'s employment decisions are merit-based. Retaliatory adverse employment actions by the State are forbidden.

State of Vermont