What are the responsibilities and job description for the Group Life Counselor (rotating shift) position at Josephine County?
Josephine County Juvenile Justice Department provides residential program and detention services to youth in Josephine and neighboring counties. The Residential Program, Turning Point Residential, is a statewide resource that operates under the Behavioral Rehabilitative Services (BRS) federal guidelines. Josephine County Juvenile Detention operates under the Oregon Revised Statutes. Both programs utilize Trauma Informed Care, provide services which include evidence-based programming, cognitive behavioral treatment programming, educational services, mental health services, and medical services. Both programs rely on and collaborate with other state and local agencies such as juvenile and adult courts, attorneys, Department of Human Services, law enforcement, and the public. s all aspects of daily living which includes, but is not limited to, education, recreation, facilitating both group and individual interventions based on department approved curriculum and training. Group Life Counselors also serve as the primary resource for the youth in these programs and conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times, role modeling respect towards youth, co-workers and our shareholders.
Group Life Counselors (GLC) are essential employees and oversee
(Illustrative Only. Any single position in the classification will not necessarily involve all of the listed duties below and other positions will involve duties that are not listed. These duties do represent the essential functions needed, of persons in this classification.)
- Actively supervise and interact with youth in the therapeutic milieu, and in the community to maintain safety and provide necessary services.
- Establish rapport by demonstrating and maintaining clear, consistent, appropriate, and therapeutic boundaries.
- Safely de-escalate youth in various stages of crisis by effectively using verbal intervention skills.
- Provide physical interventions when necessary, to maintain youth and staff safety in accordance with Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) standards and trainings.
- Present a positive attitude, professional demeanor, and demonstrate respect to youth, families, staff, visitors, and community partners.
- Maintain prompt and regular attendance for all assigned shifts and trainings.
- Perform housekeeping tasks as needed to maintain a clean and safe milieu.
- Demonstrate alignment with the Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard (RPPS) and the philosophy of Collaborative Problem Solving (CPS).
- Actively utilize, reference, and follow policies and procedures as set forth by Turning Point Residential and Josephine County Juvenile Department.
- Adhere to Oregon Revised Statutes and standards of care.
- Collaborate with other GLC staff to ensure shift activities and milieu structure is maintained in the absence of Shift Lead.
- Serve as primary counselor over assigned youth who are in the Residential Program. The primary counselor is responsible for delivering and documenting one hour of individual skill building services to their youth each week. Maintain regular contact with Social Services Facilitator regarding youth’s progress and needs.
- Facilitate group skills training with residential youth within the skill areas including but not limited to coping skills, independent living, DBT skills, social skills, CBT skills, and moral reasoning.
- Accompany Program youth on community outings.
- Transport youth to and from appointments, outings and court, this includes both scheduled and emergent transports in order to meet the needs of the youth and facility.
- Accurately document residential youth activities, group skill building interventions, individual skill building interventions, and medication administration in residential tracking program.
- Facilitate medication administration for youth in residential and in detention.
- Perform control room duties which include communicating with law enforcement, receiving youth, monitoring radios, intercoms and cameras, telephone communications, control all door locking mechanisms, facilitate and visually supervise youth visits.
- Complete intake and release procedures on youth in custody.
- Search detained youth for weapons, contraband, and other harmful articles.
- Inform Shift Lead of intake dispositions, or, as directed by Shift Lead, inform Department of Human Services (DHS) Oregon Youth Authority (OYA) and Juvenile Department personnel of intake dispositions.
- Gain competency in the Juvenile Justice Information System (JJIS).
- Supervise all daily activities of detention youth, including meals, recreation, cleanup, room time, showers, visitations, etc.
- Other related duties assigned by Shift Lead, Social Services Facilitator and Program Manager.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Associate degree (A.A.) or equivalent from two-year college or technical school.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
The following must be obtained during the first six months of employment and maintained while in this position.
- Successfully complete 40 hours of Detention Standards training
- Successfully complete Residential Program orientation and training
- First Aid/CPR Certification
- Food Handlers License
- Possession of (or ability to obtain) a valid Oregon Driver’s License, comprehensive automobile insurance, and a safe driving record.
- Attend on-going training as scheduled.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION
Those employed in this position are subject to drug testing and background investigation including criminal background investigation. Conviction of a crime may disqualify an individual for this position. Must pass and maintain Criminal Justice Information Systems (CJIS) security clearance. Individuals in this position are required to receive and maintain approval for employment in the position from the Department of Human Services criminal records unit.
Salary : $21 - $24
