Senior Human Services Care Counselor - Exempt (Departmental Promotional Only)

Job Description:

Senior Human Services Care Counselor - Exempt (Departmental Promotional Only)

Description

Description

The Human Services Agency is seeking a qualified Senior Human Services Care Counselor assigned to youth residential programs with Children and Family Services. The Senior Human Services Care Counselors serve as a back-up administrator to the Milieu Program Supervisor (program administrator) and provides lead coverage over the Short Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP) and the Temporary Shelter Care Facility (TSCF). The residential programs on a 24/7 basis. Staff are assigned shifts, which may require weekends and holidays. The Senior Human Services Care Counselor is also part of the on-call leadership rotation. The Senior Human Services Care Counselor may work interchangeably in the Family Care Worker assignment, based on program needs.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Experience working directly in San Mateo County residential programs.
• Previous experience in a lead role working for a children's residential program.
• A trauma informed approach to care.
• Knowledge of Community Care Licensing regulations and Crisis Prevention Interventions.
• Experience working in dynamic environments and proven ability to be flexible, adaptable and pivot.
• Demonstrated the ability to learn quickly.
• High organizational and time management skills, and is punctual.

IMPORTANT: Elysian is a Short Term Residential Therapeutic Program and by law, requires employees to obtain and maintain security clearance and be bondable. Any prior criminal conviction since your 18th birthday (excluding marijuana-related offenses that are older than two years as listed in the California Labor Code 432.8) will result in a denial of your security clearance by the Community Care Licensing agency. While in some circumstances an employer may obtain a waiver of conviction from the licensing agency, the Human Services Agency has a policy against obtaining such waivers/exemptions for prospective employees. In addition, the Human Services Agency will not accept such waivers/exemptions obtained from the licensing agency by applicants in any other manner. Community Care Licensing also requires providers working in this facility to maintain a designated number of training hours related to the field, most of which are provided by the program.

Examples Of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Elysian Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP) Assignment:

• Perform duties associated with the administration of the facility to which assigned, including program planning, administration support, and preparation of shift schedules.
• Supervise the daily operations of the facility.
• Assist the supervisor in coordinating STRTP services with other agencies, training the personnel in work techniques, and developing professional growth and evaluation of their performances.
• Assist in the preparation of program reports.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Family Care Assignment:

• Perform duties associated with the administration of the unit including program planning, budget preparation, administration support, and preparation of shift schedules.
• Perform the tasks of a Human Services Care Counselor (Family Care Worker) as needed.
• Organize the weekly on-call schedule.
• In conjunction with the supervisor, assign Primary Counselor and assist with the arrangement of after care services.
• Organize case record documentation and data collection for the program.
• Assist in the training and supervising new staff.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Qualifications
County Status: An applicant must be a current County of San Mateo employee in the Human Services Agency with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, SEIU or AFSCME represented extra-help, or term position prior to the final filing date.

Knowledge of:

• Principles of supervision and skill in instructing, training, evaluating and supervising subordinate personnel.
• Juvenile court laws.
• Child welfare practices and procedures.
• Common safety practices and procedures.
• Basic individual and group counseling techniques, especially behavior modification.
• Principles of in-home caretaking.
• Group and child abuse dynamics.
• Infant and adolescent behavior and development.
• First aid.

Skill/Ability to:

• Assist in the planning and implementation of a constructive program for children and parents.
• Plan and organize group recreational programs.
• Effectively engage and service children, youth and adults by gaining their confidence and respect. Work effectively in a multidisciplinary team-based setting. Provide individual supervision on case dynamics and case plans.
• Sense, evaluate, and handle tense group and individual situations as they develop and accept responsibility for decisions.
• Exercise good independent judgment and remain calm in emergency situations.
• Deal effectively with parents, other agencies and the general public.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to qualify is:

Experience : Three years of experience providing advice, assistance, supervision and direction to dependent and neglected adolescent age children.

Licensure/Certification/Other Requirements:

Per California Dept. of Social Services Interim Licensing Standards, if assigned to Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program, direct care staff shall:

• Be at least 21 years of age; and
• Previously been employed as a full-time or served as a volunteer at a group home, short-term residential therapeutic program, or substance abuse treatment program for at least one year; OR
• Have a Bachelor of Arts or Sciences Degree in Psychology, Sociology, Counseling, Child Development or related field; OR
• Have completed 12 semester units of Early Childhood Education, Adolescent Development, or Foster and Kinship Care Education, or Psychology and have completed at least 100 hours of on-the-job experience with youth (hours may be completed after starting employment at the facility. Pending completion of the 100 hours, staff shall not be counted in the staff to child ratio and shall not be left unsupervised with children).

Application/Examination

This is a Department Promotional Only recruitment. Only current County of San Mateo employees in the Human Services Agency, with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, Confidential and Management extra-help/limited term, and SEIU or AFSCME represented extra help/limited term positions prior to the final filing date may apply.

Based solely on the information provided in the application materials, an application screening committee will select those applicants whose education, training and experience most closely matches the needs of the department. Those selected will be invited to a panel interview (weight: 100%). Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification . All applicants who meet the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California and applicants must participate at their own expense.

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply. Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire.

~ TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE ~
Final Filing Date: Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.
Application Screening: Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Combined Panel Interviews: Thursday, March 5, 2026

About the County
San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.

The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.

The County of San Mateo is an equal opportunity employer. We seek to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community.


Analyst: Arlene Cahill (Senior Human Services Counselor - Exempt - G063)

Salary:

$101,441.60 - $126,817.60 Annually