Extra Help Group Counselor, Nights

Extra Help Group Counselor, Nights

Salary

$47,236.80 - $62,774.40 Annually

Location

401 The City Drive South, Orange

Job Type

Extra-Help

Job Number

7423GE-0726-063(O)

Department

Social Services Agency

Division/Service Area

CFS (Orangewood)

Opening Date

07/15/2026

Closing Date

7/22/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

CAREER DESCRIPTION

GROUP COUNSELOR, NIGHTS

(EXTRA-HELP)

THIS RECRUITMENT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

This recruitment is being held to establish an open eligible list to fill current and future Extra-Help Group Counselor, Nights positions within Social Services Agency. The eligible list established may be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications within the County of Orange.

This recruitment will be open for a minimum of five (5) business days and will remain open until 11:59 p.m. (PST) on Wednesday, July 22, 2026.

ORANGE COUNTY

Orange County is a desirable place to live and is one of the premier employers in the region, a well as the third largest populated County in California. At the County you will find a variety, individual opportunity, job satisfaction, and the pleasure of working with colleagues who are dedicated to making a positive difference. You can learn more about the County of Orange by clicking here.

SOCIAL SERVICES AGENCY

The County of Orange, Social Services Agency is composed of four business divisions: Assistance Programs; Children and Family Services; Family Self-Sufficiency & Adult Services and Administrative Services; and over 4,300 dedicated employees, providing human services to an average of one in three Orange County residents. Our mission is to deliver quality services that are accessible and responsive to the community, encourage personal responsibility, strengthen individuals, preserve families, and protect vulnerable adults and children.

Click here to learn more about the Social Services Agency.

Click here to view a video about the Social Services Agency.

ORANGEWOOD CHILDREN AND FAMILY CENTER (OCFC)

The Social Services Agency (SSA), Orangewood Children and Family Center (OCFC) is seeking qualified candidates to fill current and future Extra-Help Group Counselor, Nights positions. OCFC is a Temporary Shelter Care Facility, owned and operated by the County of Orange through the SSA, that provides care for children who have experienced abuse, abandonment, or neglect.

Click here to learn more about Orangewood Children and Family Center (OCFC)

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Extra-Help Group Counselor, Nights provides care, supervision, and counseling to children temporarily detained in protective custody at a 24-hour multidisciplinary shelter care facility. The position works under supervision and is responsible for maintaining a safe and supportive environment during overnight hours, responding to the needs of children, and performing other related duties as required.

The duties of the position include but are not limited to the following:

• Provides crisis intervention and administers appropriate discipline when necessary
• Supervises dependent children during awakening, in dressing and in preparing their sleeping area for the day
• Monitors children's sleep patterns and ensures their safety throughout the night
• Fills out the required documentation, including behavioral observations and activity reports
• Checks for signs of illness and promptly reports health concerns
• Learns to maintain a routine activity log in accordance with facility procedures
• Learns to prepare case records, development assessments, care plans, log entries and special incident reports in compliance with applicable regulations
• Learns to file information in case folders, extracts information for routine reports, totals and averages daily individual and unit grade
• Works cooperatively and effectively with a multidisciplinary team of professionals
• Assists with general housekeeping

Click here for additional information about the job duties.

WORK SCHEDULE

Group Counselor, Nights typical shift is 10:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. and include weekends, holidays, and on emergency basis as needed. It is expected and required that you must remain awake and alert during your scheduled work hours.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Compensation will be determined based on the candidates education and level of experience. Please click here for information regarding the Extra Help benefits.

CORE COMPETENCIES

Professional and Technical Experience

• Title 22 Regulations
• Recreational childrens programs and activities
• Crisis intervention techniques
• Proper methods of physical restraint
• Engage and interact with children
• Monitor and supervise children in a group home
• Utilize Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook

Safety

• Ensure children's safety and maintain a safe and positive environment
• Follow safety protocols and procedures
• Manage stress and maintain self-control during emergency or disturbance
• Report safety concerns efficiently

Oral and Written Communication | Informing | Listening

• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Actively listens to understand all viewpoints when others speak
• Interact with children in a positive tone and manner
• Communicate effectively with children and others in emotionally charged situation
• Display a willingness to work with troubled and special needs children

Interpersonal Skills

• Maintain a calm demeanor
• De-escalate emotionally charged youth
• Effectively listens with understanding and without bias
• Genuine and empathetic
• Trustworthy
• Energetic and enthusiastic when working with children
• Dependable and reliable

Critical Thinking Skills

• Respond to crisis/emergencies using positive interventions
• Work independently and take initiative
• Provides age-appropriate support and guidance
• Make sound judgments, actions or decisions to prevent injury
• Alert and mindful of children's safety

Teamwork

• Maintain an open and approachable manner
• Build rapport with others
• Works collaboratively with staff to ensure consistent and supportive care for children.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Click here to view the minimum qualifications for the Group Counselor, Nights classification as well as the physical & mental requirements and the environmental conditions.

SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates will be required to undergo a background clearance check from California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and Community Care Licensing (CCL) and must successfully clear prior to the start of their employment. All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of a background check. Areas considered in the background check include conviction history, employment history, professional references and education verification (i.e. degree, license, or official transcripts) if applicable. Foreign degrees require an evaluation of U.S. equivalency by an agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Services (N.A.C.E.S.) In addition, a Child Abuse Central Index (CACI) background clearance check may be required. CACI is a repository of child abuse investigation reports managed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) that contains information related to substantiated cases of physical abuse, sexual abuse, mental/emotional abuse, and/or severe neglect of a child.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Human Resource Services (HRS) screens all application materials for minimum and/or desirable qualifications. After screening, qualified applicants will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process. All applicants will be notified via e-mail of their status in the process.

Application Screening (Refer/Non-Refer)

Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those candidates who meet the qualifications listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.

Mandatory Orientation

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to attend a mandatory orientation which will provide information on the realities of the job. The orientation is usually scheduled in the evening hours between 5:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Candidates who do not attend this mandatory orientation may not proceed in the recruitment process.

Online Assessment (Weighted 100%)

Applicants who meet minimum qualifications and attend the mandatory orientation will be invited to participate in an online assessment. The online assessment will be scored and will cover job-related skills and competencies needed for this position. After the assessment is completed and scored, only those applicants who are most competitive will move forward to the next step in the recruitment process.

Veterans Employment Preference Policy (VEPP)

The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here to review the policy.

Eligible List: Once the competitive process has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

Based on the Agencys needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. All candidates will be notified of any changes in the recruitment process.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

EMAIL NOTIFICATION

Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.

NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply.

Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.

For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, contact Crystal Sifuentes at crystal.sifuentes@ssa.ocgov.com or (714) 541-7893.

EEO INFORMATION

Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer,

encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.

http://www.ocers.org/active-member-information

01

This is an Extra Help Group Counselor, Nights position. An Extra Help employee shall mean a person employed in an extra help position. An extra help employee serves at the pleasure of the County in an extra help position and may be removed from an extra help position at any time with or without notice or cause and without a hearing. Please type " I understand this is an extra help position" in the text box below.

02

The minimum qualification for this role requires you to be at least 18 years of age. Are you at least 18 years of age?

• Yes
• No

03

Have you completed education that, alone or in combination with experience, satisfies the required knowledge and abilities for this position?

• Yes
• No

04

If your response is "yes" in question #3, please list the qualifying coursework you have completed. You must attach the unofficial transcripts when submitting your application for verification.

NOTE: Applications without an attached transcript will be considered incomplete and will not move forward in the recruitment process. Foreign degrees require an evaluation of U.S. equivalency by an agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Services (N.A.C.E.S.). Contact the recruiter for any questions.

05

Do you possess a valid Child Development Associate (CDA) credential? If so, please be sure to attach it to your application.

• Yes
• No

06

Please mark any or all of the options that apply to you:

• I have experience working in a childcare facility
• I have experience working in a group home
• I have experience working in institutions (i.e. governmental facilities)
• I have experience in a similar type of work setting
• None of the above

07

In each of the areas you indicated above in question #5, describe your roles and responsibilities (either paid or unpaid) and the length of experience. If none of the options in question #5 are applicable to you, please write "N/A".

08

The Group Counselor, Nights is assigned to work 10:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. shift, including weekends, holidays and during emergencies as needed. Are you available to work on this shift?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer County of Orange

Address 400 W CIVIC CENTER DRIVE

Santa Ana, California, 92701

Phone 714-834-2555

Website https://hrs.oc.gov