01/25/2007 41810

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT COUNSELOR

DEFINITION: This is specialized professional counseling work in the rehabilitation and social development of adjudicated delinquent youth in a state operated facility.

An employee in this job supervises a group of court committed delinquent youth in rehabilitative treatment, education, recreation and social development programs in a state operated facility. Work involves developing, implementing and monitoring individual treatment program plans for each assigned delinquent youth in accordance with the facility's Master Case Planning System. Work includes gathering social and behavior history information; completing intake documents; providing case management services; conducting individual, group and family counseling and crisis intervention; maintaining constructive discipline and security; recording/reporting youths' response/progress in meeting treatment program goals; and implementing discharge/release plans. Work also includes providing guidance to facility staff and delinquent youth on group living, rehabilitative program goals, personal hygiene, social, physical and emotional development programs and instructing them on housekeeping techniques to maintain a clean, safe and secure environment. Work is performed under the supervision of a higher-level counselor and is reviewed for conformance to departmental and facility policy and procedures through conferences, reports and evaluation of results achieved.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Supervises a group of court committed delinquent youth in rehabilitative treatment, education, recreation, social development programs and work activities.

Orients new commitments and arranges and schedules appropriate medical, dental, psychological and educational examinations/testing.

Assesses youth's strengths, weaknesses, behavior patterns and rehabilitation treatment needs.

Develops, implements, and monitors individual treatment program plans.

Evaluates youths' social development progress in accordance with the facility's Master Case Planning System.

Establishes and maintains communications with delinquent youths' family, court officials, school administrators and others.

Conducts home conferences by telephone and personal visits.

Gathers or updates information to assess and complete delinquent youths’ social history and intake documents.

Provides treatment and formal and informal counseling sessions and crisis intervention with delinquent youth.

Participates as a member of the team providing for youth's treatment, rehabilitation and social development.

Recommends and participates in making decisions on each delinquent youth's treatment and rehabilitation program.

Serves as liaison with local school district, advocates for assigned delinquent youths' interests.

Supervises youth in academic study and tutoring sessions.

Inspects assigned facility living and treatment areas and reports or corrects discrepancies.

Maintains order and discipline for assigned areas.

Administers or recommends disciplinary measures in situations requiring immediate action or intervention.

Reports serious problems to a higher-level counselor for investigation and corrective action.

Prepares periodic and special evaluations on delinquent youth.

Reports significant changes in social behavior and attitudes and makes recommendations for changes in treatment programs or assignments.

Represents assigned delinquent youth at hearings and court proceeding on delinquent youths' response to treatment, their rehabilitation and social development progress.

Develops release and aftercare plans for delinquent youth.

Instructs facility staff on rehabilitative treatment plans and provides guidance for staff supervising delinquent youth to aid youth in their personal growth and development.

Instructs and supervises delinquent youth in the performance of housekeeping duties to maintain a clean, safe, healthy, and secure environment.

Performs other related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the physical and emotional needs and problems of court committed and often emotionally disturbed, physically ill or aggressive delinquent youth.

Knowledge of individual and group behavior dynamics and group life of delinquent youth.

Knowledge of the needs of delinquent youth in the areas of work, recreation, and education.

Knowledge of health, safety and first-aid practices.

Knowledge of the principles and methods of instructing and guiding delinquent youth.

Ability to communicate effectively orally.

Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Five years of experience as a Youth Development Aide;

                                                                                                                                                                               or

Four years of experience as a Youth Development Aide Supervisor;

                                                                                                                                                                               or

One year of experience in the care, custody, supervision, activities, leadership or personal guidance of delinquent, pre-delinquent or socially maladjusted youth in an organized program, and a bachelor’s degree in the behavioral sciences, special education, juvenile delinquency, or criminal justice;

                                                                                                                                                                               or

An equivalent combination of experience and training which included one year of experience in the care, custody, supervision, activities, leadership or personal guidance of delinquent, pre-delinquent or socially maladjusted youth in an organized program.