Juvenile Detention Counselor 1, 2 or 3 - Dekalb RYDC- Decatur, GA (CCR)

Job Summary:

Under supervision, plans, manages, and evaluates social services programs. Administers and coordinates the services and program activities in dependency, mental illness, youth development, or physical or developmental disability programs.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Performs and/or directs intake services to youth.
• Provides counseling to individuals, groups, or families, to effect positive change in the youth’s behavior and/or social situations.
• Provide collaborative meetings with other agency stake holders for discharge recommendations.
• Leads or participates as a member of a multidisciplinary team to identify youths’ strengths, resources, symptoms, and behavioral challenges to develop and monitor an effective implementation of the service plan.
• Prepares and submit required reports and other documentation.
• Attend continuing education course geared towards trends and professional development in the field of Case Management Services.
• Maintain confidentiality of Case Record and release information as required by policy.

Responsibility 1: 
Support of the delivery of programs & case management services in assigned facilities.

• Works with program staff to ensure that services are in keeping with best practices and departmental policy.
• Under limited direction, provides structured cognitive behavioral groups and/or life-skills group counseling sessions, documents all programmatic activities, and performs a variety of administrative duties designed to facilitate juvenile rehabilitation and ensure a safe and secure environment at a youth detention facility.
• Some duties will include Facilitate or Co-facilitate Groups, participate in facility wide PBIS activities (if available), work hours to include Afternoon/evening/Holiday/Weekends and conduct parent/youth support (if needed).
• Conduct youth assessments for housing plans, risk levels (risks/needs/responsivity) and treatment needs.
• Responsible for completing code mandated youth progress reviews for local and state courts
• Preparation reviews for youth early release and for alternative placements.
• Manage and/or assist with facility quality assurance processes

Responsibility 2:

Performs and/or directs intake services to youth.

• Collects and assesses in-depth information about a client's situation and functioning in order to assess his/her abilities, needs, and eligibility for services.
• Performs or directs admission and orientation of youth in accordance with policy
• Thoroughly review collateral information and other background information to determine appropriate services as a program participant in program services.

Responsibility 3:

Provides counseling to individuals, groups, or families, to effect positive change in the youth’s behavior and/or social situations.

• Communicates clearly and accurately to the youth the goals and objectives of the program.
• Conducts individual counseling sessions with youth on a regular basis.
• Conducts group sessions in accordance with the program guidelines.
• Demonstrates knowledge of appropriate usage of behavioral, cognitive restructuring and relapse prevention
• Properly identifies high-risk situations and implements appropriate housing and/or safety plan.
• Documents each group session, to include concepts taught and an assessment of participants' progress, in accordance with established time frames and guidelines.
• Conducts rounds daily on the living unit to ensure youth needs are identified and addressed.
• Provides evening and weekend coverage to provide for the social, emotional, and behavioral needs of youth.

Responsibility 4:

Maintain confidentiality of Case Record and release of information as required by policy.

• Observes rules of confidentiality as stated by departmental guidelines in the dissemination and interpretation of tests results
• Provides information to educate the public, other agencies, vendors, and potential customers about case management services.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.  

AGENCY QUALIFICATIONS-

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in one of the areas of: Psychology. Sociology, Social Work, Forensic Psychology, School Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling, School Counseling, Criminal Justice or a directly related field.

Juvenile Detention Counselor Job Series Requirements and Salary Rates:

·       SSP030 (JDC 1)-Bachelor’s Degree in related field-up two (2) years’ experience

Salary=$38,000.00

·       SSP031 (JDC 2)- Bachelor’s Degree in related field-over two (2) years’ experience or master’s degree

Salary=$43,000

·       SSP032 (JDC 3)-Bachelor’s Degree in a related field and over five (5) years’ experience or master’s degree with over two (2) years’ experience

Salary=$48,000.00

PREFERRERD QUALIFICATIONS:

• Graduate coursework in treatment and assessment methods, group counseling, rehabilitation, adolescent development, and risks/needs/responsivity focuses on the needs of specific adolescent populations.
• One (1) year of experience in mental health/substance abuse treatment settings/juvenile justice/residential setting.
• Knowledge and experience of risk reduction principles and assessments with the juvenile or adult population.
• Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in one of the following areas: Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Forensic Psychology, School Counseling, Rehabilitation Counseling, School Counseling, Criminal Justice or a directly related field.

Benefits:

In addition to a competitive salary & benefits, GA Department of Juvenile Justice is part of a statewide initiative called Total Rewards that seeks to attract and retain employees by supplementing their base pay and benefits with programs designed to improve the quality of their work environment and lead to greater job satisfaction and work/life balance. Eligible employees are offered generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave. We are a qualified employer for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

For more information, visit https://djj.georgia.gov/Online-Applications/employee-benefits

THIS IS AN INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

THIS IS AN UNCLASSIFIED POSITION.

THE SELECTED APPLICANT FOR THE POSITION WILL BE SUBJECT TO A REFERENCE CHECK AND CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK, WHERE APPLICABLE

PLEASE INCLUDE ALL RELEVANT JOB INFORMATION ON THE APPLICATION FOR CONSIDERATION.

ALL APPLICATIONS WILL BE PRESCREENED.

DJJ IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Salary : $38,000 - $48,000