Residential Counselor – Lake Owasso Residence

Salary : $48,969.21 - $66,108.44 Annually
Location : (Lake Owasso Residence) Shoreview, MN
Job Type: Multiple Job Types
Job Number: 2026-00206
Department: Lake Owasso
Division: ResidntLvg
Opening Date: 05/05/2026
Closing Date: 5/19/2026 11:59 PM Central
Union: Local 707 - Lake Owasso Residence
FLSA Status: nonexempt

Position Summary
Residential Counselor - Lake Owasso Residence

To provide care and treatment to developmentally disabled persons in a residential care facility by overseeing and participating in residents' activities and providing instruction in order to enhance their functional skills, behavioral skills and ability for personal care; to perform custodial, foodservice, and laundry duties as needed, and to perform other duties as assigned.
Awake Overnight Availability and a Valid Driver's License are Needed.
To view or print a copy of the complete Ramsey County job (class) description for this position, go to: Once on this page, you can browse the alphabetical list or search for a job description.

Examples of Work Performed

1. Perform as primary or secondary residential counselor for residents as assigned.
2. Participate as a team member in establishing behavioral and developmental goals for residents and implement training methods consistent with those goals.
3. Assist and instruct residents in basic personal care to include dressing, eating, personal hygiene, housekeeping, and related skills.
4. Assist and instruct residents in basic functional skills such as time and number concepts, personal finance, use of public services, and similar skills.
5. Assist and direct residents in recreational and leisure activities.
6. Observe and record residents' behavior in connection with treatment programs and document residents' activities and needs as instructed.
7. Perform specified duties for which specific training has been received, such as administering first aid, passing medications and similar basic health care procedures.
8. Note and report instances of apparent abuse, neglect, or unusual behavior of residents; or other matters detrimental to the health, safety or well-being or of residents, staff or county property.
9. Perform custodial, janitorial, laundry or other related duties as assigned such as: cleaning homes by moving, arranging, and polishing furniture, vacuuming, dusting, shampooing carpet, washing walls, interior windows, fixtures, door knobs, handrails, sinks, toilets and bathing/shower areas; disposing trash in designated areas; removing snow from entrances, and reporting issues and work repair needs.
10. Maintain housekeeping supply and equipment inventory by reordering through appropriate staff.
11. Wash and dry clothing and linen; fold, press, sort, mend, and arrange dry cleaning for residents' personal items.
12. Prepare, cook, and serve daily meals with assistance from residents; monitor the proper temperature and dietary needs for residents. Ensure and maintain a safe, sanitized, and neat kitchen environment for food preparation and storage.
13. Participate in meetings and in-service instructions as assigned.
14. Drive company vehicles as assigned.

(The work assigned to a position in this classification may not include all possible tasks in this work and does not limit the assignment of any additional tasks in this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required.)

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14.

Click the following to view or print the: for Residential Counselor 1's in Ramsey County.
Minimum Qualifications

Education: High school graduation or equivalent.

Experience: None.

Certifications/Licensure: Valid, class D driver's license.

Substitutions: None.

Preferred: Knowledge of designated behavior modification techniques.
Exam/Screening Process Information
The examination process will consist of the following section with each section weighed as indicated:

• Training and Experience Rating = 100%

The examination for Residential Counselor Lake Owasso Residence will consist of a training and experience rating, comprised of the questions in the attached supplemental questionnaire. Not all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will pass the training and experience rating. The rating on this supplemental questionnaire will depend on your answers to the questions - do not mark "see resume" or "see work history" as a response. Please answer all your questions clearly and completely. Failure to respond could affect your score and final rank on this examination.

Eligible List: The names of all applicants who have submitted a completed application and passed the examination/screening process shall be placed on the eligible list for an employment opportunity as a Job title. This list will be certified to the appointing authority which may use this list to conduct interviews to fill a vacancy. Applicants will remain on the list for 60 days or until hired, whichever occurs first. A notice will be sent to applicants at the time the eligible list is posted.

Veteran's Preference: This is a classified position requiring an open, competitive selection process. Veteran's Preference points will be applied after a candidate passes the examination process. Applicants who are eligible for veteran's preference should update their veteran's DD214, and other supporting documents, and submit them as an attachment at the time of application.

Criminal Background Checks: All employment offers are conditioned upon the applicant passing a criminal background check. Convictions are not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought. However, making false statements or withholding information will cause you to be barred from employment, or removed from employment.

As part of a conditional offer of employment, candidate(s) must successfully complete the following process:

TB Testing

Department of Human Services (DHS) background Check

E-Verify Participation: Ramsey County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Ramsey County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Ramsey County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on Form I-9.

Equal Opportunity Employer: Ramsey County provides equal access to employment, programs, and services without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex (except when sex is a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification), disability, familial or marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, public assistance status, place of residence, political affiliation, or national origin.

Ramsey County is deeply committed to advancing racial equity and promoting diversity and inclusion within all areas of its workforce. The county strives to be equitable, inclusive, transparent, respectful, and impactful in how we serve and engage with residents, as well as Ramsey County employees. Advancing racial equity ensures all people who need access to opportunities and services we provide will receive them. Racial equity is achieved when race can no longer be used to predict life outcomes, and outcomes for all are improved.

To print a paper application for this posting click You will need to print this posting AND answer the supplemental questions associated with this exam and submit them with your completed paper application.

For further information regarding this posting, please contact
Ramsey County provides a wide range of employee benefits to support health, well-being, and work/life balance. Benefits eligibility can vary depending on union status/contract language. A summary of benefits is provided below. Detailed information is available for review at

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
  • The County contributes a bargained percentage to the medical and dental monthly premium
  • Employees choose from four enrollment tiers: Single, Employee + legally married spouse, Employee + Child(ren), Family
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical insurance - three plan options including a High Deductible Plan with a Health Saving Account offered. Earn up to $20/month in electronic gift cards for each enrolled employee or spouse for wellness activity
  • MetLife Dental Insurance - two plan options offered
  • VSP Vision Insurance - Advantage Plan offered

• Pre-tax Benefit Program
  • Pre-tax medical, dental, vision monthly premium deduction option
  • Dependent and Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts
  • County monthly contribution to a Health Savings Account for employees who elect the High Deductible medical plan

• Paid time off
  • Vacation hours, accrued based on years of service, ranging from 12 to 25 days per year (pro-rated for part-time employees)
  • 11 scheduled holidays and two floating holidays
  • Up to eight weeks of 100% paid parental leave, plus additional use of sick time as noted below
  • Sick hours accrued at a rate of three weeks per year, which can be used for medical and dental care; injury or illness for you, your spouse or children; the birth or adoption of a child (up to 80 hours) or the death of a family member (up to 40 hours)
  • Wellness incentive allows conversion of unused sick time to vacation or pay

• Retirement benefits
  • Pension - The county contributes at least 7.5% of your salary to your pension, depending on bargaining unit. Unlike other retirement investments, pension payments are a lifetime benefit once you start collecting payments
  • New employees become vested after three years. For the Police and Fire union, employees are vested after 10 years
  • Deferred compensation - 457(b) account with employer match
  • Health Care Savings Plan - all benefits-eligible employees contribute 1% of gross regular salary to a Health Care Savings Plan account for eligible health care expenses after retirement. Interest accrues tax free. County provides a scheduled contribution after five years of participation

• Transit and parking
  • Fully funded Metropass.
  • Transportation/parking expenses reimbursement account

• Employee well-being
  • Employee assistance program, including telephone counseling, financial counseling, rideshare benefits, etc.
  • Wellness programming
  • Flexible work policy with hybrid work options for eligible positions

• Life Insurance and Disability leave
  • County provided Basic Life coverage - 1x annual salary, minimum $10,000 up to a maximum of $50,000. Optional supplemental coverage available
  • Long-term Disability - County provided coverage replaces 40% of the employee's lost income after six months of disability, subject to a $5,000 monthly maximum. Option to purchase an additional 20% income replacement up to $7,500 monthly maximum
  • Short-term Disability - option to purchase 60% income replacement coverage with 30, 60 or 90-day waiting period

• Career development
  • Tuition reimbursement, up to $4,000 per year
  • Online professional development opportunities through the Learning & Development Center
  • County employment qualifies as a public service organization for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
  • Employee resource groups - help employees build connections through common bonds with colleagues

For information about Ramsey County's 2026 benefits, visit:
01

*Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the application screening process. The supplemental questionnaire will be used as a scored evaluation of your knowledge, skills and experience. Provide complete information for each question. Do not write "see resume" as it is not an acceptable answer. The experiences you indicate in your responses will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Select "yes" if you have read and understand.

• Yes
• No

02

*Please select the option that best applies to you if you have completed or are currently participating in any of the following Public Sector Partnership Programs at Ramsey County.

• HIRED Partnership Program
• Project for Pride in Living (PPL) Partnership Program
• Ramsey County Workforce Solutions
• Ramsey County Internship (including Right Track Plus)
• Fellowship at Ramsey County
• Limited-Duration Assignment at Ramsey County
• Provisional Assignment at Ramsey County
• Temporary Opportunity at Ramsey County
• Work Experience Program (e.g., Young Adult Career Academy)
• Job Shadow Experience at Ramsey County
• No, I have not participated in any of the above

03

Do you have a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

04

*Select the option that best describes your highest level of completed education.

• High school diploma or GED
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree
• Doctoral Degree
• None of the above

05

If you answered "yes" to having a degree, please provide your field of study, the name of the school, the date(s) you completed the program, and the type of degree earned.
06

Please select your preferred days, hours, and any scheduling limitations. Schedules may vary based on operational needs.Note: All shift options require working every other weekend.Available schedule options include:Weekday shifts with an every-other-weekend rotation, andA Friday-Monday shift occurring once per pay period.

• Afternoons/evenings
• Awake Overnight shifts
• Weekend availability (every other weekend or more)
• Rotating schedules across multiple days within a pay period

07

Please select the option that best describes your full-time equivalent experience providing care and support to individuals with developmental disabilities in a residential care environment.

• I have no full-time equivalent experience providing care and support to individuals with developmental disabilities in a residential care environment.
• 1-2 years of full-time equivalent experience providing care and support to individuals with developmental disabilities in a residential care environment.
• I have 3-4 years of full-time equivalent experience providing care and support to individuals with developmental disabilities in a residential care environment.
• I have 5 or more years of full-time equivalent experience providing care and support to individuals with developmental disabilities in a residential care environment.

08

The Residential Counselor role requires daily interaction and problem-solving with individuals from diverse cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Please select the option that best describes your experience.

• I have no experience interacting and problem solving with individuals from diverse cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• I have limited experience interacting and problem solving with individuals from diverse cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. (For example, neighbors, friends, family, community events)
• I have moderate experience interacting and problem solving with individuals from diverse cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• I have extensive interacting and problem solving with individuals from diverse cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

09

Which of the following describes your education, training, work, or volunteer experience supporting individuals with developmental disabilities? (Select all that apply.)

• Assisting with and instructing basic personal care (e.g., dressing, eating, hygiene, toileting, housekeeping)
• Applying designated behavior modification techniques
• Teaching basic functional skills (e.g., time awareness, number concepts, personal finance, use of public services)
• Participating in establishing behavioral or developmental goals
• Implementing training methods consistent with established goals
• Providing transportation to and from various locations (e.g., medical appointments, work, school, community activities) using personal vehicle, agency vehicle, or public transportation
• Assisting with or directing recreational and leisure activities
• None of the above

10

Describe where you gained the experience you refer to in question #7-9. Please provide the following information in the space below: the name of the employer you worked for, your job title, dates of employment (month/year to month/year), and whether it was full-time or part-time. If it was part-time, include the number of hours you worked per week. If you do not have this experience, type "Not Applicable" in the space provided.
Required Question