Youth Counselor

POSITION SUMMARY:

Provides direct service work to pre-delinquent and/or delinquent youths temporarily court ordered to this maximum-security facility.  Supervises a group of residents in work, recreational or educational activities, maintaining constructive behavior in a secure setting and providing instruction.  Work is performed under the supervision of shift supervisors and is reviewed for conformance to accepted departmental and institutional policies, in addition to Pennsylvania State Regulations for Detention Facilities (55 PA Code Chapter 3800).  Situations may arise resulting in physical confrontation and/or actions that could lead to physical injury as part of employment in the performance of this job.  The Youth Center is a 24/7 facility, including weekends and holidays. It requires shift work including overnights:  7:30 a.m. — 3:30 p.m., 3:00 p.m. — 11:00 p.m., and 10:00 p.m. — 8:00 a.m.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

– Plans, supervises and participates in the residents activities as directed by the Director, Deputy Director and/or Supervisor.
– Responsible for the care of physical plant, property and/or equipment along with maintaining the ongoing program philosophy of the care, guidance and control of the youth charged to the Youth Centers care.
– Daily responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the maintenance of evaluation, visitation, phone, chronological; resident verification and medication logs; sick call; resident transportation; resident personal files; incident reports; daily journal; and physical plant reports.
– Fosters cooperation in individual and group activities and observes residents behavior to prevent disturbances and maintains security.
– Participates in immediate counseling to detained residents who may also be emotionally disturbed.
– Administers and recommends control measures in situations requiring immediate action; reports serious problems for further consideration and corrective action.
– Supervises residents in work, recreational and educational activities and organizes work projects as a means of communication with residents.
– Maintains proper conduct and security of residents on work, recreational and educational assignments.
– Prepares periodic and special evaluations.  Observe, understands and reports behavioral problems of residents and administers or recommends appropriate resolutions.  Reports significant changes in behavior and makes recommendations to coworkers, supervisors.
– Communicates with other agencies, involves significant others along with the families of residents, in order to further their adjustment.
– Prepares residents for accepting further rehabilitation or treatment programs they may be attending.
– Ability to adapt to changing physical/emotional needs of an individual resident of the entire population.
– Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with residents, coworkers and the general public.
– Ability to follow required work ethics.
– Ability to prepare clear and concise reports.
– Must be fair to and patient with all residents, using objective, open-minded and culturally aware judgment.
– Other duties may be assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Any combination of experience and training which affords the applicant an opportunity to gain the above listed knowledge, skill and ability.

– Bachelors Degree, preferably in a Social Science curriculum (exceptions based on experience in conjunction with education at the discretion of the Director).
– Considerable knowledge of the physical and emotiona needs and problems of youth with emphasis on the delinquent.
– Considerable knowledge of and training in first aid, CPR and safety.
– Quick, mature judgment in crisis situations.
– Knowledge of group life with emphasis on resident behavior and needs in work, recreational and educational activities.  Observes, understands and reports behavioral problems of residents and administers or recommends appropriate resolutions.
– Must possess and maintain a valid drivers license

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.