Residential Counselor- Mental Health and SUD

Company: Encompass Community Services
Location: Watsonville
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

Encompass Community Services is committed to racial equity and standing against any kind of discrimination. We believe in having a diverse workforce that is representative of the many communities we serve. We strongly value providing equal opportunities for our employees, such as providing the training and education needed to excel in this and other positions. Our agency recognizes the value of racial, ethnic, cultural and linguistic diversity and strives towards the overarching goal of ensuring that all services promote healing, and integrate the values and standards of providing culturally informed services. Job Summary: We are currently hiring full-time Mental Health Counselors for all of our Residential facilities. These positions will be schedule to work the PM Shift (2:00pm -10:00pm). The role of the Counselor is to provide support and assistance to clients in planning and attaining their goals. Special focus will be on the client's needs related to the housing, physical health, issues of chemical dependency and mental health, stabilization of income, and reentry back into the community. The Residential Counselor will be expected to demonstrate an increased skill level and leadership qualities, and role model positive work habits and act as Manager in Manager's absence. The Counselor will be responsible for supervising, facilitating and scheduling groups and will have the knowledge and ability to make independent decisions and will be on-call after hours and on weekends to deal with crises at the program. Services will be delivered with dignity and respect for each individual resident. Residential Programs: Mental Health: Telos, El Dorado Center and Casa Pacific are three short-term residential treatment programs for individuals struggling with mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders. The primary goal of these programs is to assist individuals with increasing wellness and transitioning from residential care to more independent settings within the community. Our Counselors play an important role in assisting the residents we serve on their journey towards wellness and stability through treatment that is trauma-informed and person-centered. Substance Use: Santa Cruz Residential is a 30-bed, residential treatment program providing comprehensive recovery services to men and women with substance use and co-occurring disorders.Si Se Puede is a 23-bed, residential treatment program providing comprehensive recovery service to men with substance use and co-occurring disorders. Services are provided in English and Spanish. Duties & Responsibilities: Provide clinical services including, case management, group counseling and assist to clients in crisis situations. Supervise and provide support to staff: workloads, trainings, development plans, performance evaluations, ensure clear lines of responsibility. Establish a close working relationship with residents in the program. Perform clinical duties, which will include individual counseling and facilitating house meetings and groups.Assist clients in crisis situations. Supervise daily activities of clients, including performing support services that assist clients in everyday living skills.This may include supervision of clients' chores, monitoring mealtime activities, conducting social and recreational activities, etc. Complete intake, assessment and evaluation paperwork with clients. Monitor and track client's use of medications; conduct client urine tests. Transport clients to appointments as necessary. Communicate with case managers and other service providers about client status. Maintain a safe, clean and sober environment. Maintain clinical charts and complete required paperwork in a timely manner as required by the County, State, and component guidelines. Participate in the effort to keep the facility clean, well maintained and running smoothly. This may include household duties such as shopping for supplies, laundry and cleaning. Provide on-call after hours every other weekend and during manager's time-off. Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Psychology, Social Work or related field preferred Experience in providing services to populations experiencing mental health issues, co-occurring disorders, or comparable population Flexibility to work varied shifts, including primarily evenings and one weekend shift Ability to work in an intense environment dealing with varied personalities and cultures Ability to role model daily living skills in a positive manner Excellent written and verbal communication skills Valid California driver's license Fingerprinting for licensing, criminal record clearance and necessary physical exams are required Prehire process includes TB test and health screen Demonstrated ability to constructively deal with a high degree of physical and emotional stress Bilingual in Spanish and English highly desirable Ability to be a team player, maintain effective working relationships and communicate in a respectful and professional manner when dealing with fellow employees, outside agencies and residents Ability to maintain and clean, safe and supportive environment Wages & Benefits: We prioritize the well-being of our team as much as the community we serve. Our comprehensive health benefits reflect this commitment. We offer full-time employees medical and dental insurance plan that ensures peace of mind for themselves and their families. We go beyond traditional care by also offering our employees acupuncture and chiropractic, embracing a holistic approach to health that aligns with our values of care and compassion. Our team’s future matters just as much as the present. That’s why we offer a 403(b) retirement plan, providing a foundation for a secure retirement. We also recognize the need for work-life balance, so Encompass offers a competitive package of 17 vacation days, 12 sick days, and 14 additional paid holidays. These benefits are thoughtfully pro-rated for part-time positions, affirming our commitment to fairness and flexibility. About Us: At Encompass Community Services we provide our community with a wide range of services related to family & social well-being, early childhood education, behavioral health, housing and more. Every day through these services we work to make health, education and housing more equitable for all people in Santa Cruz County. For more than 40 years our work has touched generations by helping people have access to education, rebuild relationships, restore their health and regain dignity.

Keywords: Encompass Community Services, Redwood City , Residential Counselor- Mental Health and SUD, Healthcare , Watsonville, California