MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR
Listed compensation
$24-$26/hr
The week · per this posting
Ask the employer about weekend coverage, nights and shift pattern, benefits and time off.
Job Description
Job Details: Level: Entry, Job Location: Casa Rene - Kentfield, CA, Position Type: Relief, Education Level: High School, Salary Range: $24.00 - $26.00Hourly, Travel Percentage: None, Job Shift: Overnight, Job Category: Nonprofit - Social Services, Join Buckelew and work with great people doing great things!
Buckelew Programs is a leading provider of behavioral healthcare services in the North Bay, providing compassionate mental health, supported housing and substance use treatment.
We are hiring Mental Health Counselors to work overnight, relief shifts in the Casa Rene program, a short-term, residential facility for adults experiencing an acute mental health crisis.
As a Mental Health Counselor I, you will provide direct support to clients and play a key role in promoting client recovery, self-sufficiency, and independence through the provision of daily living assistance. In this role, you will work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
This is a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the mental health field. Overnight shifts are 11:30 pm - 7:30am or 12:00 am - 8:00 am. Relief staff work as needed.
The pay range for this position is $24–$26 per hour and will be determined based on experience and credentials, with consideration given specifically to peer certification.
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. Client Support
Responsibilities
Teach and assist clients in performing daily living activities, adjusting support based on client readiness and independence 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.
Successful completion of Peer Specialist training and a passing score on the certification exam within six months required for full-time status. Professional
Requirements
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.
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
Provide direct support to clients in a residential mental health facility, including daily living assistance and medication monitoring. Maintain accurate documentation and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team to promote client recovery and independence.
Requirements
Requires a high school diploma or equivalent and the ability to pass a background check. Candidates must possess a valid California driver's license and demonstrate comfort working with individuals experiencing mental health crises.
Key Skills
Work-Life Balance Analysis
WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR at Buckelew Programs a 6.4 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the Above average in Mental Health Counseling — ranked against 638 active Mental Health Counseling listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no on-call duties.
Counselor Career Context
In California, the Mental Health Counseling weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$108k (10 salary observations; 25 listings), vs ~$78k nationally (200 salary observations; 621 listings). Monthly aggregates cover 2026-01-01 through 2026-09-01; these are not the modal's selected comparable-job medians.
Of the 50 active Mental Health Counseling listings this role was benchmarked against, 42% are remote, 40% have no call, 64% require no weekends.
Mental Health Counseling pay on WeekdayDoc is up 12.7% 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)), so the posted ~$52k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $47k in an average-cost state. 63.6% of California clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).
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