Milieu Program Supervisor - Canyon Oaks Youth Center (Departmental Promotional Only) bei County of San Mateo, CA
County of San Mateo, CA · Redwood City, Vereinigte Staaten Von Amerika · Onsite
- Professional
- Optionales Büro in Redwood City
About the Department
San Mateo County Health’s Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Division is seeking a dedicated and experienced leader to join our team as Milieu Program Supervisor.
There is currently one regular full-time vacancy located at Canyon Oaks Youth Center in Redwood City, a Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP) serving youth with serious emotional and behavioral challenges.
Under the direction of a Clinical Services Manager, the Milieu Program Supervisor provides leadership, oversight and support to our dedicated team of residential treatment staff, including one Milieu Program Specialist and other Residential Counselor staff to ensure high-quality care and a safe, structured and trauma-informed environment for youth. The position plays a key role in staff supervision, program operations, crisis intervention and coordination across multidisciplinary teams and partner agencies.
This role requires strong leadership, communication and problem-solving skills, a passion for working with youth, as well as the ability to respond to urgent or after-hours situations as part of an on-call rotation.
IDEAL CANDIDATE
The facility operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The ideal candidate will have the flexibility to work a variety of shifts, which may include evenings, within a 40-hour work week (8 hours per day, 5 days per week) and scheduled any day from Sunday through Saturday.
This program only uses physical interventions as a last resort to prevent serious injury or in situations requiring life-saving measures. Residential staff must pass emergency intervention training which includes a written and physical hands-on competency examination; annual examinations are conducted to maintain certification.
The ideal candidate will possess:
- A Master’s degree in Psychology, Sociology, Education, Counseling, Child Development or related fields.
- A minimum of five years of experience providing direct supervision of youth in a residential treatment setting working with adolescents.
- Experience in a leadership/supervisory role in a residential treatment facility.
- A California Driver's License in good standing.
Position Duties
The Milieu Program Supervisor will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following:
- In collaboration with the Supervising Mental Health Clinician or Clinical Services Manager, provide consultation and support to residential counselor staff and/or clinical teams as needed.
- Develop and implement strategic goals for the STRTP sites, ensuring alignment with overarching program objectives and regulatory compliance.
- Lead comprehensive assessments of programmatic needs and develop solutions to enhance therapeutic outcomes.
- Mentor and guide Milieu Program Specialist(s) and assigned staff.
- Provide leadership and guidance in staff development and program management.
- Ensure a welcoming and safe milieu therapy environment for residents who may feel vulnerable, by securing facility resources and coordinating necessary facility repairs.
- Encourage socialization of the residents while also communicating clear and consistent rules that help the youth engage in their treatment.
- Assist in structuring an environment that incorporates regular and predictable routines to build trust amongst staff and residents.
- Foster collaboration across departments and agencies to optimize resource utilization and service delivery.
- Ensure adherence to accreditation and licensing standards; develop innovative approaches to meet and exceed requirements.
- Onboard new residential counselor staff, provide ongoing trainings and mentoring, and conduct performance evaluations.
- Create and maintain schedules, ensure adequate staffing levels, and manage staff absences.
- Lead crisis management strategies, respond to crises and behavioral emergencies, de-escalate situations, implement appropriate interventions, and provide expert guidance in emergency situations.
- Serve as a resource for on-call support, including responding to after-hours emergencies, staffing shortages, or urgent incidents requiring leadership involvement.
- Direct high-level training initiatives to advance staff competencies and program effectiveness.
- Develop and produce complex reports, analyses, and recommendations for executive management and stakeholders.
- Represent the department in strategic meetings, negotiations, and public forums to champion STRTP interests.
- Perform financial planning, budget development, and resource allocation to support program initiatives.
- Oversee large-scale administrative projects, such as technology implementation and infrastructure enhancement.
- Track and review accreditation and licensing related materials and prepare for any licensing or accreditation audits.
- Manage, respond to, and ensure appropriate documentation of critical incidents.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
County Status: Only current County of San Mateo employees in San Mateo County Health with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, or extra-help/limited term position prior to the final filing date may apply.
Knowledge of:
- Supervisory principles, practices, and techniques applicable to youth residential treatment programs.
- Principles of Trauma-Informed Care and Cultural Humility.
- Advanced crisis intervention and risk management strategies.
- Child and adolescent development, behavior, and counseling techniques.
- STRTP operational guidelines and compliance standards.
- Group dynamics and safety practices within residential settings.
- Training and staff development techniques.
- Office administrative practices and software usage.
- Policies, procedures, and legal standards applicable to STRTP settings.
- Budgeting, financial management, and resource allocation in human services.
Skill/Ability to:
- Lead, mentor, motivate, support, and evaluate a multi-disciplinary team.
- Engage and build rapport with youth and adult populations.
- Foster interdepartmental and intra-agency collaboration.
- Manage program scheduling, logistics, and administrative operations.
- Analyze and apply regulations, policies, and clinical approaches.
- Prepare and present clear and comprehensive reports and recommendations.
- Respond to emergencies with composure and sound judgment.
- Coordinate trainings, mediate conflicts, and promote a collaborative work environment.
- Operate efficiently within a multidisciplinary setting.
- Communicate effectively and persuasively in both written and oral presentations.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with families, County staff, and the public.
- Manage resources efficiently and align financial planning with strategic goals.
- Read, interpret, and apply rules, policies, and procedures.
- Operate standard office equipment.
Education and Experience:
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying.
A typical way to qualify is:
- Five years of experience providing milieu counseling, with at least three years in a supervisory or lead capacity.
- A master's degree in a mental health specialty, such as social work or clinical counseling, is preferred.
Special Requirements:
Individuals assigned to Canyon Oaks Youth Center or Elysian, must have the ability to complete 40 hours of mandated training annually AND obtain and maintain an STRTP Group Home Administrator Certificate issued by the State of California.
Other Qualifications
Departmental Promotional Only. Only current County of San Mateo employees in San Mateo County Health with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, or extra-help/limited term position prior to the final filing date may apply.
Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire.
The examination process will consist of an application screening based on the candidates' application and responses to the supplemental questions (weight: pass/fail). Candidates who pass the application screening may be invited to a panel interview (weight:100%). Depending on the number of applicants, an application appraisal of education and experience may be used in place of other examinations or further evaluation of work experience may be conducted to group applicants by level of qualification. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. All examinations will be given in San Mateo County, California and applicants must participate at their own expense.
IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply. Responses to the supplemental questions must be submitted in addition to our regular employment application form. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire.
TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE
Final Filing Date: November 20, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. PST
Application Screening: Week of November 24, 2025
Civil Service Panel/Departmental Interview: Week of December 1, 2025
About the County
San Mateo County is centrally located between San Francisco, San Jose, and the East Bay. With over 750,000 residents, San Mateo is one of the largest and most diverse counties in California and serves a multitude of culturally, ethnically, and linguistically diverse communities.
The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment. The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.
Talent Acquisition Contact: Priscilla Bermudez (110625) Milieu Program Supervisor – Canyon Oaks Youth Center – G082)
