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.

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.