Buckelew Programs logo
Buckelew Programs
Novato, California

MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR

CounselorPart-Time

Listed compensation

Salary Range: $24.00 /hr

The week · per this posting

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

Posted 19h ago · Verified live

Job Description

Job Details: Level: Entry, Job Location: RSS Novato House - Novato, CA, Position Type: Part-time 20 - 24, Education Level: High School, Salary Range: $24.00 - $24.00Hourly, Travel Percentage: Up to 25%, Job Shift: Overnight, Job Category: Health Care, Work with great people doing great things!

Join Buckelew Programs and play a pivotal role in making a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges in the North Bay. The Mental Health Counselor I provides direct support to clients living independently in the community or within a Buckelew housing environment.

This position plays a key role in promoting client recovery, self-sufficiency, and independence through the provision of daily living assistance. Working both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team, the Mental Health Counselor I may serve clients in the field, depending on the specific program. This is an onsite position working Tuesday, 9 am through Wednesday, 1 pm.

RESPONSIBILITIES Administrative

Responsibilities

Collaborate effectively as part of a team, maintaining prompt and clear communication with colleagues. Complete and maintain timely, accurate documentation including client notes, mileage logs, and other required records. Performs Electronic Health Record (EHR) medication documentation duties. Client Support

Responsibilities

Teach and assist clients with activities of daily living, adapting support to their individual needs and readiness levels. Monitor and report on client well-being, including mood and behavior. Ensure and model adherence to agency safety protocols.

Support clients with meal planning, grocery shopping, and meal preparation, offering skill-building assistance as appropriate. Provide medication prompts, ensure proper storage, monitor adherence, and support timely refills as required by program guidelines.

Provide client transportation using personal or agency vehicles; support clients in learning and using public transportation. Assist clients with attending and coordinating medical appointments. Household and Maintenance

Responsibilities

Perform general housekeeping tasks (e. g., vacuuming, dishwashing, dusting) as needed. Conduct basic maintenance tasks (e. g., replacing light bulbs, checking smoke detectors) and report major repair needs to the supervisor. Maintain adequate household supplies and restock as needed.

Program Quality and Compliance Deliver services that align with program goals, emphasizing client progress and satisfaction.

Comply with all legal, regulatory, and contractual standards (e. g., CARF, Medi-Cal, HUD) and maintain program certifications and licensing requirements.: Education and Experience High school diploma or equivalent required. Experience working with individuals with mental health and/or substance use disorders preferred. Professional

Requirements

Fluent in English; bilingual in English and Spanish preferred. Demonstrated ability to maintain professional boundaries, exercise sound judgment, and work independently in a calm, organized, and empathetic manner. Interest and comfort in working with individuals with behavioral health needs.

Strong organizational and time-management skills; ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously. Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) at a basic to intermediate level. Must be a dependable, flexible, and collaborative team player.

Valid California driver’s license, an insurable driving record, and access to a personal, insured vehicle required. Ability to pass a Live Scan background check, as required by program regulations.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Ability to perform intermittent physical activities including sitting, standing, driving, talking, listening, seeing, bending, squatting, reaching, lifting (up to 30 lbs.), and using hands for grasping or typing.

Capacity for sustained physical activity such as driving, writing, standing, or computer work.

Benefits

Medical, dental and vision insurance, Employee Assistance Program, flexible spending accounts for health, dependent and transit costs, retirement savings plan with company match, paid meal breaks, eligibility for loan forgiveness, continuing education credits available through our learning management system, and generous paid time off.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating a workplace that celebrates diversity, promotes equality, and fosters inclusion. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.

Key Responsibilities

Support clients with daily living, recovery, and independence through assistance with meals, medication, transportation, appointments, and household tasks. Maintain accurate records, monitor client well-being, follow safety and compliance requirements, and collaborate with the care team.

Requirements

A high school diploma or equivalent is required; experience supporting people with mental health or substance use disorders is preferred. Candidates need strong organization and communication skills, basic-to-intermediate Microsoft Office proficiency, a valid California driver’s license, an insurable driving record, access to an insured vehicle, and the ability to pass a Live Scan background check.

Key Skills

Activities Of Daily Living SupportClient MonitoringMedication SupportMeal Planning And PreparationTransportation AssistanceAppointment CoordinationTeam Communication

Behavioral Health — Counselor Career Context

Of the 50 active Counselor listings this role was benchmarked against, 46% are remote, 40% have no call, 62% require no weekends.

Counselor pay on WeekdayDoc is down 1.1% vs. the prior quarter (through Aug 2026).

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).

Top Counselor Jobs

50 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution36 jobs

12
<$75k
6
$75k-100k
5
$100k-125k
11
$125k-150k
2
$150k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks30 jobs

401k / retirement match
67% this job
CME allowance
57% this job
Sign-on bonus
30%
Loan repayment
20% this job
PSLF eligible
7% this job

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Work-life snapshot

median 3.9this job 1.5
Below most Behavioral Health (Counseling) listings for work-life

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 314 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

Living in Novato

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$976k
Typical market rent
$3,889/mo
Residents’ average commute
28 min
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

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

Buckelew Programs logo

About Buckelew Programs

Non-profit Organizations
Novato, CA
51-200 employees

Benefits & Perks

Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Employee Assistance Program
Flexible Spending Accounts
Retirement Savings Plan with Match
Paid Meal Breaks
Loan Forgiveness Eligibility