See Psychiatric Child Care Counselor 1

Supervises Psychiatric Child Care Counselors in a cottage for severely emotionally, behaviorally, and psychiatrically disturbed children and adolescents in a psychiatric 24-hour hospital setting serving mental health and forensic admissions.

As the senior level of this series, incumbents have decision-making authority and supervise staff assigned to a cottage. This position provides leadership, oversees staff professional development activities, and acts as a liaison between the cottage clinical team and other departments.

As cottage supervisor, directs, assigns, and monitors the performance of all Psychiatric Child Care Counselors;

Has decision-making authority and consults with the clinical treatment team and medical staff when warranted;

Provides leadership, supervision, orientation, and mentorship of assigned Psychiatric Child Care Counselors;

Facilitates ongoing competency assessment and evaluation of Psychiatric Child Care Counselors;

Monitors and supervises baseline staffing levels throughout the campus and contributes to overall staffing and attendance activities;

Oversees ongoing educational and professional development activities of Psychiatric Child Care Counselors;

Oversees and supervises the overall execution of the cottage program to ensure that a therapeutic milieu is maintained;

Acts as a liaison to other departments (i.e. security, school, recreation therapy, dietary, custodial, etc.) and assists in coordinated efforts including but not limited to hiring activities;

Conducts preliminary investigations and provides input on critical incident reviews along with recommended corrective actions;

Investigates and mediates parent and/or community partner concerns, grievances, and complaints;

Oversees the facilitation of both individualized and continuous therapeutic interventions, when clinically necessary;

Performs the duties of the lower levels in the series;

Performs other duties as required.

Knowledge of: team building, supervision, age-specific care and familiarity with evidence-based approaches, psychiatric and behavioral disorders, mediation, problem solving, concepts of group process and behavioral therapy, and psychiatric child care treatment techniques.

Ability to: relate to a broad spectrum of emotionally, socially, and behaviorally disturbed children and adolescents; function as an integral part of a team, deal with stressful situations in a positive and non-punitive manner; be aware of the possibility of highly volatile situations and be able to intervene in psychiatric crises quickly and appropriately, plan and supervise both on and off campus activities; communicate effectively orally and in writing.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

The incumbent must possess and maintain a current Agency Affiliated Counselor or higher counseling related credential from the Washington State Department of Health.

Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.

A Bachelor’s degree with major study in Social Sciences, Education, Recreation, Psychology or related field and three years of social service experience.


Three years as a Psychiatric Child Care Counselor 1.


Two years as a Psychiatric Child Care Counselor 2.