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Temporary Counselor Jobs in Novato, CA (NOW HIRING)

PROGRESS FOUNDATION

Temp Counselor Loso

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$23.75 - $32/hr

The Counselors advocate for and respond to clients' treatment and rehabilitation needs. Specific functions are outlined in the . Generally, Counselor duties include: Promote the philosophy of social ...

PROGRESS FOUNDATION

Temp Counselor Loso

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$4.7K/mo

The Counselors advocate for and respond to clients' treatment and rehabilitation needs. Specific functions are outlined in the . Generally, Counselor duties include: Promote the philosophy of social ...

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All JobsCounselor JobsTemporary Counselor JobsTemporary Counselor Jobs in Novato, CA

Temporary Counselor information

See Novato, CA salary details

$15

$27

$40

How much do temporary counselor jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for temporary counselor in Novato, CA is $27.55, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.84 and $30.77 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a temporary counselor?

Temporary Counselors are professionals hired for a limited period to provide guidance, support, and counseling services to individuals or groups. They often work in educational settings, mental health organizations, or community centers to fill in for permanent staff or to address increased demand. Their responsibilities may include conducting assessments, offering emotional support, and assisting clients with personal, social, or academic challenges. Temporary Counselors typically possess relevant qualifications and experience, and their contracts specify the duration and scope of their work.

What are some unique challenges faced by temporary counselors, and how can they effectively integrate into new teams?

Temporary Counselors often encounter the challenge of quickly adapting to different organizational cultures and client populations. Since assignments are often short-term, building rapport with clients and colleagues in a limited time frame requires strong interpersonal skills and flexibility. To succeed, it’s helpful to proactively communicate with permanent staff, familiarize oneself with the organization’s procedures, and seek feedback early on. This approach not only supports smooth integration but also helps Temporary Counselors make a meaningful impact during their assignment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a temporary counselor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Temporary Counselor, you generally need a background in counseling, psychology, or social work, often supported by a relevant degree and state licensure or certification. Familiarity with case management software, assessment tools, and documentation systems is typically required. Strong interpersonal skills, active listening, and the ability to quickly build rapport are crucial soft skills in this role. These competencies enable counselors to provide effective, short-term support and guidance while adapting rapidly to new environments and client needs.

What is the difference between Temporary Counselor vs School Counselor?

AspectTemporary CounselorSchool Counselor
CredentialsTypically requires a relevant counseling certification or licenseRequires a state-issued school counseling certification or license
Work EnvironmentTemporary assignments in various settings, including clinics, community centers, or schoolsPrimarily works within K-12 school environments
Employer & IndustryTemp agencies, educational institutions, healthcare facilitiesPublic and private schools, educational districts
Search & Comparison IntentPeople comparing temporary counseling roles with full-time school counseling positions

Temporary Counselors typically work on short-term assignments and may serve in various settings, requiring relevant counseling credentials. School Counselors, on the other hand, are usually employed full-time within schools, holding specific state certifications. Both roles involve supporting students' mental health and academic success, but their work environments and employment terms differ significantly.

What are the most commonly searched types of Counselor jobs in Novato, CA?

The most popular types of Counselor jobs in Novato, CA are:

What cities near Novato, CA are hiring for Temporary Counselor jobs?

Cities near Novato, CA with the most Temporary Counselor job openings:

Temporary Counselor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Temporary Counselor job openings in Novato, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 35% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 64% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $57,308 per year, or $27.6 per hour.

Temporary Counselor-Harstad House

Santa Rosa, CA • On-site

PROGRESS FOUNDATION
Offices of Mental Health Practitioners • 201 - 500 employees
Learn more about PROGRESS FOUNDATIONexternal

$23.56/hr

Other

Re-posted 3 days ago

Job description

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Under the supervision of an Assistant Director or the Program Director, the Counselor provides support and assistance to clients at one of the Progress programs, all of which are housed in multi-level facilities. Generally, the Counselor has primary responsibility for advocating for and responding to the treatment and rehabilitation needs of the program clients. Specifically, Counselors perform the following functions:
I. Essential Functions
  1. Conduct intake interviews with prospective clients.
  2. Orient new clients to the program and facility or, whenever possible, enable another client to orient a new client.
  3. Respond to psychiatric and/or medical emergency situations throughout the facility in a professional, thorough, and timely manner, and do crisis intervention work with clients.
  4. Assist clients in the evacuation of all floors of the facility in case of fire, earthquake, or other emergency.
  5. Develop treatment plans with maximum client participation, and support clients' efforts to implement them.
  6. Communicate appropriately with referral sources and other treatment personnel both within and outside the agency, exchanging information relevant to client treatment.
  7. Complete all intake and discharge paperwork on assigned clients and maintain progress records on all clients.
  8. Initiate and participate in discharge planning, so that clients can transition smoothly to the next level of care or the community.
  9. Lead or co-lead day or evening group sessions, including house meetings or other activities, adhering to the schedule of fixed events, unless circumstances dictate otherwise.
  10. .Assume primary case coordinating responsibilities for clients, as assigned.
  11. Relay clinical and house-status information to other staff at shift changes, staff meetings, and at other appropriate times.
  12. Monitor and record client medications, complying with program procedures.
  13. Participate in meal planning and preparation at designated intervals, and encourage clients to become involved in these activities. Counselors are to join program clients for all meals.
  14. Attend and participate in staff meetings, supervision sessions, and case consultation meetings, as scheduled.
  15. Consult with the Assistant Director, Program Director and the Program Consultant, as necessary, on such issues as case review, medications, group dynamics, etc.
  16. Be responsible for the physical plant. This includes investigating problems throughout the facility and performing minor cleaning, repair work, and other household tasks, and reporting more serious maintenance problems in a timely manner to the Assistant Director or Program Director.
  17. Report any suspected abuse of clients directly to the appropriate agencies as outlined in policy and law and per the adult abuse reporting document signed upon hiring.
  18. Promote the social rehabilitation philosophy among program staff and clients.
  19. Must be able to work overnight, awake and alert shifts.
  20. Comply with all applicable federal, state and local governmental laws and regulations, as well as all agency policies and procedures, including the code of ethics.
  21. Perform other related duties as assigned by the Program Director.
  22. Inform the Assistant Director or Program Director of any personal events and/or circumstances which may affect the ability to perform the proscribed job responsibilities and functions or to meet minimum qualifications.

II. Functions Which May Be Accommodated For Persons with Disabilities Covered Under The "Americans With Disabilities Act"
  1. Lead and/or participate in outings and other recreational activities planned for clients.
  2. Shop for groceries and other household items with program clients.
  3. Drive clients to treatment-related destinations.
  4. Attend meetings, both programmatic and administrative, as a representative of the program, when assigned by the Assistant Director or Program Director.

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