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Buckelew Programs
San Rafael, California

Mental Health Counselor II

LPC / LMHCFull-Time

Listed compensation

$27-$29/hr

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

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

Posted 1mo ago · Verified live

Job Description

  • Level: Experienced
  • Job Location: RSS Avanti House - San Rafael, CA 94903
  • Position Type: Full Time
  • Education Level: 2 Year Degree
  • Salary Range: $27.00 - $29.00 Hourly
  • Travel Percentage: Up to 25%Job
  • Shift: Day
  • Job Category: Health Care

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 a new Mental Health Counselor II to join our Residential Support Services program. In this role, you will provide daily support and guidance to clients with mental health needs, helping them live independently either in the community or within a Buckelew housing environment.

This position focuses on promoting recovery, autonomy, and skill-building through hands-on assistance, counseling, and life skills coaching.

RESPONSIBILITIES: Administrative

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. In applicable program sites, ensure billing standards and requirements are met as directed by the supervisor. Facilitate or co-facilitate group support and house meetings. Client Support

Responsibilities

Teach and assist clients in performing daily living activities, adjusting support based on client readiness and independence levels. Observe and report changes in clients’ behaviors, moods, and safety concerns; implement safety protocols accordingly.

Serve as a positive role model in promoting healthy routines and behaviors. 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 in attending and following up on medical and mental health appointments. Facility and Maintenance

Responsibilities

Perform minor maintenance and housekeeping duties as needed Reports needed facility Maintenance to Team Leader Program Quality and Compliance Ensure all services reflect best practices and align with clients’ recovery goals. Adhere to all legal, contractual, and regulatory requirements (e. g., CARF, Medi-Cal, HUD).

Maintain a high level of professionalism, client satisfaction, and program integrity.

Education and Experience Must meet Medi-Cal criteria for Mental Health Rehabilitation Specialist: Associate degree with 6+ years’ experience in mental health as a specialist in physical restoration, social adjustment, or vocational adjustment, OR Bachelor’s degree with 4+ years’ experience in those fields, OR Master’s degree with 2+ years’ related experience.

Previous experience must be in a mental health setting, working in areas such as physical restoration, social adjustment, or vocational support. Experience with individuals diagnosed with a mental illness and/or co-occurring substance use disorders is preferred. Professional Skills and

Requirements

Fluent in English; bilingual (English/Spanish) strongly preferred. Demonstrated ability to work independently, remain organized, and manage responsibilities with professionalism and good judgment. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to set boundaries and maintain a calm, supportive presence.

Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook). Must be a team player with flexibility and a desire to support clients and coworkers alike. Valid California driver’s license, insurable driving record, and access to a reliable, insured vehicle.

Must be able to pass a Live Scan background check (for certain program placements). PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS Able to perform intermittent physical tasks including bending, kneeling, stretching, reaching, lifting up to 30 pounds, and squatting.

Able to perform extended activities including sitting, driving, standing, writing, and typing. Must have visual and auditory capacity sufficient for communication and documentation. Great Benefits!

Medical, dental, vision and life and long-term disability 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

The Mental Health Counselor II provides daily support and guidance to clients with mental health needs to promote recovery, autonomy, and independent living. Responsibilities include facilitating group meetings, assisting with daily living activities, monitoring medications, and maintaining accurate clinical documentation.

Requirements

Candidates must meet Medi-Cal criteria for a Mental Health Rehabilitation Specialist, which requires an Associate, Bachelor, or Master degree combined with relevant experience in mental health settings. A valid California driver's license and the ability to pass a background check are also required.

Qualifications

Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Mental health counselingCrisis interventionCase documentationMedication monitoringBehavioral observationTeam collaborationRecovery support

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)), so the posted ~$58k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $53k in an average-cost state. 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 pay$56k–$60kMental Health Counseling median $72k (middle half $62k–$90k)43 comparable listings, Nov 2026
California vs national$76k median in California$77k nationally (−2%)34 state / 532 national salary observations
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$53k in purchasing powerCalifornia index 110.7 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Mental Health Counseling listings in California35 active778 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 50% remote · 30% no call · 68% no weekends50 benchmarked listings
Sign-on & loan repaymentloan repaymentCalifornia 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 Counselor Jobs

35 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

35 jobs · 27 employers
6
<$80k
8
$80k-100k
13
$100k-120k
6
$120k-140k
2
$141k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

29 jobs · 27 employers
401k / retirement match
97% this job
CME allowance
41% this job
Sign-on bonus
38%
Loan repayment
17% this job
PSLF eligible
10% this job

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Licensed Mental Health Therapist

LifeStance Health · Lake Oswego, Oregon

$123k-$141k
#2

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

LifeStance Health · West Linn, Oregon

$123k-$141k
#3

Licensed Mental Health Therapist (LMFT, LCSW, LPCC)

$117k-$134k
#4

Mental Health Therapist

$131k
+ 33 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.0this job 3.0
Better work-life than 20% of Mental Health Counseling listings

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

Buckelew Programs logo

About Buckelew Programs

Non-profit Organizations
Novato, CA
51-200 employees

Benefits & Perks

Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
Long-Term Disability Insurance
Employee Assistance Program
Flexible Spending Accounts (Health, Dependent, Transit)
Retirement Savings Plan with Company Match

Living in San Rafael

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$1.24M
Typical market rent
$3,166/mo
Residents’ average commute
25 min
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
Sources & methodology

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

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