SPOKANE COUNTY JUVENILE COURT

DEAR APPLICANT:

Thank you for considering the Spokane County Juvenile Court as a potential employer. Juvenile Court employees are directly responsible for the supervision and/or care of youth under the age of eighteen. As such, applicants undergo an extensive application and selection process as well as a thorough background investigation. 

The effectiveness of the Juvenile Court is directly related to the quality of personnel employed by the Court and the level of public trust in those personnel. As a result, the following extensive application process is designed to elicit information to assist us in determining your character, suitability, and competence for the position for which you have applied.
Failure to complete the entire application, whether intentionally or unintentionally, will result in your removal from consideration.
In addition, the background investigation may include, but is not limited to: an interview(s); employer reference checks; polygraph test; criminal and driving records. Failure of any portion of the background investigation will be “cause” for removal from consideration. Upon completion of the background investigation, each candidate’s suitability is reviewed by Juvenile Court Administration.
 
The polygraph test is conducted using the information you have submitted and the Integrity Standards for Juvenile Court. Thank you for your interest in Spokane County Juvenile Court.

• Screen and assess newly detained and probation juveniles for mental illness concerns, particularly as it affects the physical safety of the youth and others.
• Make referrals and coordinate care with community providers.
• Review detained and probation youth whose daily classification status indicates a physical threat to self and/or others.

• Counsels youth identified through observation, screening, assessment, or referral as needing Mental Health services.
• Develop, implement, consult, and educate assigned Probation staff to monitor behavioral management plans, interventions, urgent care needs, additional assessments, referrals for treatment and therapeutic environment needs for appropriate detained youth. 
• Consult with other local Mental Health Professionals, the youth’s current Therapist, Psychiatrist, Chemical Dependency Counselor and the Nurse Manager regarding interventions and Behavioral Management Plans.
• Coordinate Mental Health services with other departments, external organizations and agencies.
• Communicate with parents and care givers regarding treatment recommendations for youth.
• Provide crisis response and intervention.
• Maintain a current database and all necessary documentation of services including, but not limited to: screening, assessment, referral, counseling, consultation, behavioral and treatment plans, and agency and administrative paperwork.
• Determine Medicaid eligibility.
• Utilize the Involuntary Treatment Act, as needed. 
• Train Correction’s Staff in appropriate behavioral interventions regarding current mental health issues.
• Provide risk assessments for the court, crisis intervention, case management, and treatment recommendations for youth in detention.
• Testify in Court as an expert witness.
• Comply with all federal, state and local legal requirements regarding Mental Health treatment, referral and confidentiality issues.
• Participate and successfully complete all training requirements at the direction of the Juvenile Court Administrator, or designee.
• Assist Nurse Manager and Medical Director in developing and drafting departmental Mental Health policies and procedures, in accordance with WAC and RCW requirements.
• Attend and participate in agency staff meetings, community meetings and other various committees.
• Perform all duties required to maintain current facility licensure from Washington State Mental Health Division.
• Perform other related duties as required/assigned.

• Master’s degree, or further advanced degree, in social science, psychology, counseling, social work or other related field from an accredited college or university and,
• Two (2) years related experience preferably in the field of Mental Health. 
• Experience providing psychological and Mental Health service and/or crisis intervention services to adolescents.; or
• Bachelor’s in counseling or one of the social sciences (pursuant to RCW 18.19): and
• Five (5) years of experience in direct treatment of persons with a mental disorder that was gained under the supervision of a mental health professional.

• LICENSE: A current License through Washington State as one of the following:

  • For Bachelor’s or other advanced degree meeting requirements under RCW 18.19: A Certified Agency Affiliated counselor (CAAC) License (Pursuant to RCW 18.19 and RCW 71.05.020) and/or ability to gain CAAC License within 6 months of hire; or
  • Licensed Agency Affiliated Counselor (LAAC) as defined in RCW 18.19.020; or
  • Mental Health Counselor and associate, Marriage and Family Therapist and Associate, Advanced Social Worker, Independent Clinical Social Worker and associate, or other advanced medical or clinical license as defined in WAC 246-341-0515 4(a). Additional certification as a Child Mental Health Specialist and/or a Substance Abuse Disorder Professional is also preferred. 
  • A valid driver's license is required.

• PLEASE NOTE: Incumbents must also pass a Washington State Patrol Background investigation and all other County and Juvenile Court Services pre-employment requirements such as polygraph, personality and drug tests.
  • The work environment is primarily inside, where the noise and temperature levels are moderate. 
  • Work is also performed outdoors; and requires occasional travel within the County, exposing the associate to weather extremes, various forms of precipitation and the hazards associated with travel on public roads.

• Knowledge of mental Health and chemical dependency issues, normal and abnormal human development, developmental disabilities, and abuse and neglect.
• Knowledge of currently accepted principles and best practices in the treatment of Mental Health and chemical dependency issues, normal and abnormal human development, developmental disabilities, and abuse and neglect.
• Knowledge of State, Federal and Local laws for voluntary admissions and involuntary commitments, restraints and confidentiality.
• Knowledge of State Mental Health Facility Licensure requirements.
• Knowledge of outpatient resources available with the Regional Support Network and through other allied providers.
• Knowledge of customer service techniques and team building concepts.
• Skilled in communicating effectively both orally and in writing, sufficient to exchange or convey information and to give and receive work direction.
• Skilled in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with customers, co-workers and the general public.
• Skilled in adolescent counseling.
• Skilled in computer word processing and data entry.
• Skilled in concise documentation and organizing facts and present findings, conclusions and recommendations in a clear, concise and logical manner.
• Ability to provide Mental Health screening, crises intervention, individual and group therapy to detained youth.
• Ability to provide referral to appropriate Mental Health providers regarding assessment and treatment.
• Ability to manage aggressive and harmful behaviors of detained youth through counseling and the development and maintenance of a Behavioral Management Plan.
• Ability to deal with customers, co-workers and the general public in a tactful, calm, courteous and professional manner often in stressful situations.
• Ability to perform duties independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to demonstrate effective interpersonal skills, particularly with diverse client populations.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment in addressing a variety of adolescent problems and situations. 
• Ability to understand and support clinical services and treatment plans.
• Ability to liaison with and educate Corrections and Probation Staff regarding mental health issues and a youth’s treatment plan.
• Ability to work flexible hours.
• Ability to handle interruptions efficiently and effectively.
• Ability to assist in program development and evaluation; prepare reports on program performance, needs, services, information and demographic data.
• Ability to provide concise and articulate court testimony regarding youth therapeutic needs and recommendations.