Title:  Peer Residential Counselor

Overview

Come join the River Valley Therapeutic Residence team of dedicated and compassionate staff located in Essex, Vermont.   You will play an essential role in the person-centered treatment of adults with severe mental illness.  River Valley Therapeutic Residence is a 17,000 square foot state-of-the-art Secure Residential Facility that includes a large gymnasium, greenhouse, art room, library space, and other great therapeutic spaces. 

This position is responsible for supporting residents with day-to-day activities, groups, and community outings. This position is responsible for promoting residents to advocate for themselves and may require advocating on a resident's behalf during meetings and appointments. The Peer Residential Counselor will be a participant in a larger multidisciplinary team and promote person-centered, trauma informed care to ensure that these practices are being implemented throughout the day-to-day operations and are imbedded in the facility's clinical practices. The position will work towards developing peer relationships with the residents to practice and build trusting relationships, encourage to work on skills, strengthen interpersonal connections, and role model skills when applicable.  This position will help residents identify and support progress with identified treatment goals.  Other duties include leading groups/activities, performing routine checks or observations, supervising visits as needed/requested, providing training to staff, modeling and/or assisting residents with light housekeeping duties.

Who May Apply

This position, Peer Residential Counselor (Job Requisition #51758), is open to all State employees and external applicants.
If you would like more information about this position, please contact kattie.lafontaine@vermont.gov.
Please note that multiple positions in the same work location may be filled from this job posting.
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 AND stable recovery for at least two (2) years and demonstrated peer support/advocacy work.

OR

Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, substance use or similar field AND demonstrated peer support/advocacy work.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree AND self-identify as an individual with lived experience, stable recovery for at least two years, and demonstrated peer support/advocacy work.

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 and a dental plan at no cost for employees and their families
• Work/Life balance: 11 paid holidays each year and a generous leave plan
• State Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FMLI)
• Two ways to save for your retirement: A State defined benefit pension plan and a deferred compensation 457(b) plan
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible spending healthcare and childcare reimbursement accounts
• Low cost group life insurance
• Incentive-based Wellness Program
• Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

Want the specifics? Explore the Benefits of State Employment 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.