JOB TITLE: YOUTH DEVELOPMENT COUNSELOR

JOB CODE: 41810

DEFINITION: This is specialized professional counseling work in the rehabilitation and social development of court adjudicated youth at a state operated facility. An employee in this job supervises a group of court adjudicated youth in rehabilitative treatment, education, recreation, and social development programs at a state operated facility. Work involves developing, implementing, and monitoring individual case management plans for each assigned court adjudicated 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 and reporting youths' progress in meeting treatment program goals; and implementing discharge plans. Work also includes providing guidance to facility staff and court adjudicated youth on group living; rehabilitative program goals; personal hygiene; social, physical, and emotional development programs; and housekeeping techniques to maintain a clean, safe, and secure environment. Work is performed under the general direction of a professional supervisor and is reviewed for conformance to departmental and facility policy and procedures through conferences, reports, and evaluation of results achieved. EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.)

• Supervises a group of court adjudicated youth in rehabilitative treatment, education, recreation, and social development programs.

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

• Assesses youths’ strengths, weaknesses, behavior patterns, and rehabilitation treatment needs.

• Develops, implements, and monitors individual case management plans.

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

• Establishes and maintains communications with court adjudicated youths' families, court officials, school administrators, and others.

• Conducts home conferences by telephone and personal visits.

• Gathers or updates information to assess and complete court adjudicated youths’ social history and intake documents.

• Provides treatment and formal and informal counseling sessions and crisis intervention for court adjudicated youth.

• Participates as a member of the team providing for youths’ treatment, rehabilitation, and social development.

• Recommends and participates in making decisions on each court adjudicated youth's treatment and rehabilitation program.

• Serves as a liaison with local school districts and advocates for assigned court adjudicated 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 professional supervisor for investigation and corrective action.

• Prepares periodic and special evaluations on court adjudicated youth.

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

• Represents assigned court adjudicated youth at hearings and court proceedings on their response to treatment, rehabilitation, and social development progress.

• Develops release and aftercare plans for court adjudicated youth.

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

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

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the physical and emotional needs and problems of court adjudicated and socially maladjusted, physically ill, or aggressive individuals.

• Knowledge of individual and group behavior dynamics and group life of court adjudicated and socially maladjusted, physically ill, or aggressive individuals.

• Knowledge of the work, recreation, and education needs of court adjudicated and socially maladjusted, physically ill, or aggressive individuals.

• Knowledge of health, safety, and first-aid practices.

• Knowledge of the principles and methods of instructing and guiding court adjudicated and socially maladjusted, physically ill, or aggressive individuals.

• Knowledge of housekeeping principles and methods used to maintain a safe and healthy environment.

• Knowledge of the use and functionality of Microsoft Office Suite software.

• Ability to read and interpret written information.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities)

• Four years of experience as a Juvenile Justice Specialist (Commonwealth title);

or

• Three years of experience as a Juvenile Justice Specialist Supervisor (Commonwealth title);

or

• One year of experience in the care, custody, supervision, activities, leadership, or personal guidance of court adjudicated or socially maladjusted individuals in an organized program, and a bachelor’s degree in the behavioral sciences, special education, juvenile justice, or criminal justice;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes one year of experience in the care, custody, supervision, activities, leadership, or personal guidance of court adjudicated or socially maladjusted individuals in an organized program.