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Caminar
Redwood City, California

Relief Mental Health Counselor I

LPC / LMHCIncludes callPer Diem

Listed compensation

$25/hr

The week · per this posting

Ask the employer about the work setting, weekend coverage and time off.

Posted 3mo ago

Job Description

  • Job Location: SM Willow - Redwood City, CA 94062
  • Education Level: High School
  • Salary Range: $25.00 - $25.00 Hourly
  • Job Shift: Variable Program/Dept: MHRC Reports to: Clinical Program Director Classification: Casual / On call

Non exempt 5% differential pay if applicable to shift Position Description: This is a Relief/ On-call position.

Under supervision of the Clinical Program Director, the Recovery Specialist provides support and assistance to clients through individual and group counseling in a crisis or transitional residential treatment program.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities: Develop and maintain a respectful, caring, tolerant, ethical, and empowering relationship with all individuals served.

Establish and maintain clear and effective communications with clients, ensure that their needs are met, assist them in the development and implementation of their treatment plans, and prepare them for the next level of care or other discharge options. Document clients' progress in program charts.

Assist program management in ensuring compliance with all agency policies and procedures, contractual agreements, licensing and certification requirements, and local, state, and federal laws and regulations.

Provide accurate, timely, and complete transfer of program and client information to other staff as they begin their shift. Provide crisis intervention as necessary. Remain alert and perform job functions as assigned and as necessary during awake overnight shifts.

Orient new clients to the program, or, when possible, enable other clients to orient new clients In conjunction with all other program staff members, actively participate in the effort to ensure that the facility environment is homelike, clean, safe, attractive, and comfortable at all times.

Notify program management of all needs for repair or maintenance of the facility or program vehicles, involving clients when appropriate. Assist program management to create and maintain a safe and professional working environment free of hostility, harassment, and discrimination.

Facilitate and lead structured program activities, as assigned. Participate in staff meetings and attend other meetings, as assigned. Attend and participate in regularly scheduled supervision sessions. Attend training events as assigned, completing a minimum of twenty (20) hours of in-service training annually.

Assist clients with room maintenance, laundry, meal planning and preparation, shopping, and cooking. Participate in promoting a safe, healthy, and clean working environment at all times consistent with applicable laws, industry standards and the agency’s own Health & Safety Program.

Complete and submit accurate time sheets and absence reports to program management in a timely manner. Promote within the agency and with the public the philosophy and practice of social rehabilitation.

Drive agency vehicle to transport clients and on various errands, as required; documenting and reporting mileage according to agency procedures, so that services can be provided in a timely manner; comply with agency vehicle policy at all times; Actively nurture and advance the cooperative, harmonious, and teamwork-oriented environment Caminar strives to promote within the workplace; Through daily efforts and presentation promote an atmosphere of dignity and respect in line with the organization’s mission, philosophy, policies and procedures. Perform other related duties, responsibilities and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications & Skills

  • Experience, Qualifications, Skills & Abilities: Must be passionate about Caminar's mission. High School Diploma or GED is preferred. BA in psychology or related field is preferred. Must have a minimum of at least one year of experience or training related to mental health programs or shall participate in training provided by the facility. Such training/experience shall be in the direct provision of services to a program's identified clients or residents. A bachelor’s degree with a major in psychology, social work or behavioral sciences may be substituted for the 1 year of full-time work experience or its part-time equivalent. Excellent computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment including email and Internet navigation required. Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality, a professional demeanor and to always represent the organization in a positive manner. Must demonstrate acceptable level of maturity, good judgment, and emotional stability. Problem solving—identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner and gathers and analyzes information skillfully. Customer Service—manages difficult customer situations, responds promptly to customer needs, and solicits customer feedback to improve service. Oral and written communication—speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations, demonstrates group presentation skills, and conducts meetings. Completes written progress notes and other formal communications skillfully and professionally. Quality management—looks for ways to improve and promote quality and demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness. Planning/organizing—prioritizes and plans work activities, uses time efficiently and develops realistic action plans. Adaptability—adapts to changes in the work environment, manages competing demands, and can deal with frequent change, delays or unexpected events. Dependability—is consistently at work and on time, follows instructions, responds to management direction, and solicits feedback to improve performance. Safety and security—actively promotes and personally observes safety and security procedures and uses equipment and materials properly. Must be a dynamic self-starter with demonstrated ability to work independently on special projects. Position Requirements: Physical: Occasionally required to push/pull objects up to 50 lbs, and to lift/carry objects up to 25 lbs. Frequently required to perform moderately difficult manipulative tasks such as typing, writing, etc. Must be able to walk, stand, sit for extended periods. Sensory: Frequently required to read documents, written reports, and plans. Must be able to distinguish normal sounds with some background noise, as in answering the phone, interacting with residents and staff, etc. Must be able to speak clearly and understand/be understood using the English language. Cognitive: Frequently required to concentrate on moderate detail with constant interruption. Must be able to attend to a task/function for 20-45 minutes at a time. Frequently required to understand and relate to specific ideas, several at a time. Must be able to remember multiple tasks/assignments given to self and others over a period of several days. Environmental Conditions: Frequent exposure to varied office and mixed (residential/office) environments. Occasional exposure to toxins and poisonous substances, dust, and loud noises. Equipment: Frequently required to use a computer, phone, and fax machine. Essential Requirements: Must be able to meet and receive a criminal records clearance, as required by Title XXII, other licensing regulations, and Caminar practices. This position may require limited, occasional, or frequent driving. If required, a valid California driver's license, a reliable personal vehicle, and current personal auto insurance is required by law. In addition, an MVR sufficient to obtain and maintain insurability under agency auto liability policies are all essential job requirements. Must be able to pass post offer, pre-employment medical and drug tests as required under State Community Care Licensing regulations and/or agency policies. If applicable, a personal cell phone with reliable service and a data plan to use for business purposes. May be required to obtain and maintain First Aid and CPR certification

Key Responsibilities

Provide individual and group counseling support to clients in a crisis or transitional residential treatment program. Maintain accurate documentation, ensure facility safety, and assist clients with daily living activities and treatment plan implementation.

Requirements

Requires a high school diploma or GED, with a bachelor's degree in psychology or a related field preferred. Must have at least one year of experience in mental health programs or equivalent training and possess a valid driver's license.

Qualifications

Education
Bachelor degree

Key Skills

Individual counselingTreatment planningClient supportTime managementSafety compliance

Counselor Career Context

In California, the Mental Health Counseling weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$76k (34 salary observations; 147 listings), vs ~$77k nationally (532 salary observations; 2,442 listings). Monthly aggregates cover 2026-01-01 through 2026-11-01; these are not the modal's selected comparable-job medians.

The cost-of-living index for California is 110.7 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)). 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

What does the Mental Health Counseling market look like in California?
MeasureThis jobMarket
Listed paynot listedMental Health Counseling median $76k (middle half $62k–$90k)56 comparable listings, Nov 2026
California vs national$76k median in California$77k nationally (−2%)34 state / 532 national salary observations
Cost of livingCalifornia index 110.7US average = 100BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Mental Health Counseling listings in California35 active778 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 40% remote · 36% no call · 62% no weekends50 benchmarked listings
Sign-on & loan repaymentnot statedCalifornia counselor listings (all specialties): 12% state a sign-on bonus (median $3k) · 9% offer loan repayment1,000 active listings, Nov 2026
New Mental Health Counseling listings332 in the last 30 days211 the 30 days before (+57%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Mental Health Counseling pay trend−2.7% vs prior quarter—through Oct 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Nov 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Top contract/1099 Counselor Jobs

50 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

24 jobs
14
<$70k
5
$70k-95k
0
$95k-120k
5
$120k-145k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

31 jobs
401k / retirement match
84%
CME allowance
45%
Loan repayment
16%
Sign-on bonus
10%
PSLF eligible
6%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

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Work-life snapshot

median 6.0this job 4.8
Better work-life than 40% of Mental Health Counseling listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 777 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • Includes call
Caminar logo

About Caminar

Benefits & Perks

5% differential pay for applicable shifts
Training opportunities (20 hours annually)

Living in Redwood City

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$1.92M
Typical market rent
$4,301/mo
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Sep 2026), Zillow market rents (Sep 2026).

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.