YOUTH COUNSELOR (PART-TIME)

Linn County is committed to creating a Customer-Center Culture placing our internal & external customers at the center of everything we do!Why do we do this? We get that question a lot. The answer is simple: We want our customers to have a positive experience. Our co-workers are customers too. Exceptional internal customer satisfaction leads to exceptional customer satisfaction for the public!

Why work at Linn County? 

• Competitive wages with annual pay increases & annual cost of living increase (depending on budget) 
• Medical, dental, vision, short & long term disability, and supplemental life insurance 
• Iowa Public Employee's Retirement Pension Plan (IPERS) 
• Wellness program offering credit on insurance premiums and cash rewards to eligible employees 
• Free on-site fitness centers
• 100% County paid basic life insurance 
• 12 paid holidays per year 
• Tuition reimbursement program available to eligible employees 
• Training & professional development opportunities

• Supervises dependent, neglected or delinquent youth residing in the Juvenile Detention Center or participating in Peer Group activities or programs.
• Makes decisions involving the admission of youth in crisis situations, voluntary or police referral.  
• Interviews police/juvenile court officer or case worker and parents.  
• Assesses the psychological, physical and emotional needs of the youth being referred.
• Checks and maintains security and safety of residents on a continual basis.
• Organizes, plans and implements structured daily activities for youth after assessing group dynamics and individual needs.  
• Prepares intake packets and organizes groups for new Peer Group clients.
• Prepares monthly activity schedule for Peer Group.
• Provides group and individual counseling for all residents.  
• Contacts school counselors and visits schools regarding Peer Group clients.
• Promotes, encourages and supports appropriate behavior through relationship building, and confronts negative/inappropriate behavior in a professional manner.
• Contacts parents/school counselor regarding Peer Group participants’ behavior.
• Physically restrains residents for the protection of themselves or others.
• Observes and records description of behavior for the purpose of program planning and for recommendation to the court.  
• Keeps daily records and reports.
• Responds to emergency situations such as escape or suicide attempts, drug overdose, intoxicated youth, etc.
• Implements medical instructions.  
• Monitors medical needs of youth and refers problems to appropriate authority.
• Implements behavior management system utilizing a token economy, behavior contracting, level system, time outs, mediation essays, etc.
• Prepares and manages serving of meals for 10-20 people.   
• Purchases supplies for Peer Group Program.  
• Develops transportation routes for new Peer Groups participants.
• Performs some maintenance tasks when needed.  
• Provides for maintenance of van.

• Bachelor's degree and at least six (6) months of experience in the care, counseling and management of dependent, neglected and delinquent adolescents 

• At least four and a half years (4.5) years of experience in the care, counseling and management of dependent, neglected and delinquent adolescents

• Working knowledge of the care, counseling and management of dependent, neglected, and delinquent youth.
• Working knowledge of the social sciences.  
• Basic understanding of the social service and juvenile court systems.  
• Knowledge of community resources.
• Working knowledge of group dynamics and behavior management techniques. 
• Knowledge of Juvenile Code.  
• Basic knowledge of drugs (legal and illegal) and their side effects.
• Ability to assess emotional and physical needs of youth.  
• Ability to function as an effective member of the childcare team.  
• Ability to establish and maintain positive professional relationship with co-workers, other professionals, parents, and youth.
• Ability to receive, process and communicate information, orally and in writing.  
• Ability to demonstrate awareness of the current stresses and problems facing adolescents and a basic understanding of the modern principles and practices involved with addressing these issues.
• Ability to use sound judgment in the application of program guidelines to a wide variety of situations and behavior.
• Ability to remain flexible and adapt to changes.  
• Must meet requirements and licensing regulations, including; the ability to pass a County physical examination which includes a drug test after offer of employment; a person who has a record of a criminal conviction or founded child abuse report shall not be employed, unless an evaluation concludes that the crime or founded abuse does not merit prohibition of employment.
• Certifications required after hire are Mandatory Child Abuse Reporting, Medication Dispensing, CPR, Mandt, Prison Rape Elimination Act and Gentle Self Defense Training.

Salary : $29 - $32