Detention Facility Counselor

JOB CODE: 2222

PAY GRADE: 1190

SALARY RANGE: $37,291 - $63,487

LOCATION OF WORK
Juvenile Services

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Under the direction of an employee of a higher classification, performs highly responsible social services work through direct services and/or counseling services to clients and their families in the area of detention facility administration and direction. Work involves providing for the welfare of the youth detained, with respect to the emotional, medical, physical, educational and psychological needs. Work also involves the responsibility for providing counseling and guidance to youths during crisis situations. Supervision may be exercised over a staff of detention facility workers and volunteers. Performs other work as requested.

ESSENTIAL WORK TASKS
Coordinates the educational, medical and mental health services for detained youths. Reads medical reports for follow-up and/or referrals. Reviews programs, reports, statistics, and other institutional records to determine if institutional directives and goals are being met. Supervises and assigns duties to field work students, foster grandparents and volunteers; evaluates religious programs. Participates in the decision making process of the treatment team, including formulating therapeutic activities and recommending a treatment plan. Counsels youths on suicide watch or isolation. Serves as liaison between the client, family and the agency/institution. Provides counseling and guidance to youths in crisis situations resulting from detention and interaction with authority figures; counsels youths with varying states of emotional disturbance, including depression, hyperactivity, differing forms of neurosis and drug users. Provides individual and group counseling interventions; assists a qualified mental health professional in conducting group therapy intervention. Conducts tours of facility to outside agencies or groups; contacts parents for tours or visits. Coordinates the parenting/family education component program of the Juvenile Detention Facility.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of group leadership and counseling. Knowledge of best practices for social work services for detained youth. Knowledge of the behavioral patterns and group attitudes of delinquent and non-delinquent juveniles. Knowledge of the administrative and staff directive functions, practices and principles of modern detention facility supervision. Ability to gain and hold the confidence of and maintain a sympathetic and understanding attitude toward delinquent and non-delinquent juveniles. Ability to enforce regulations with firmness, tact and impartiality, and take full charge of the operation of a juvenile detention facility. Ability to plan, organize, supervise and evaluate, and to make decisions regarding the implementations, modifications or redirection of detention facility programs with a view to meeting existing goals and formulating new ones. Ability to communicate effectively with groups and individuals. Ability to plan, develop, organize, and supervise religious, recreational and educational programs for detained individuals. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the general public. Ability to apply good work habits such as punctuality, reliability, preciseness, and dependability in order to effectively complete assigned tasks and contribute to the smooth operation of the department and division.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS