Juvenile Counseling Assistant

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

• Meet with, document, and maintain detailed juvenile client records for case planning; coordinate with public and private service providers to aid in case planning, placement, accountability, and supervision of youth; locate and contact juveniles in the community; issue citations for failure to appear for a misdemeanor hearing. 
• Attend misdemeanor hearings and make recommendations for diversion of cases from the juvenile court system based on established evaluation criteria; track and monitor cases diverted to programs and community service to ensure completion.
• Confer with governmental agencies concerning matters of law, follow-up investigations, interagency agreement compliance, and legal disposition and conditions of youth under supervision.
• Respond to emergency situations; provide crisis intervention with aggressive clients or in volatile situations; conduct field visits to youth and families; perform search and seizure as authorized by law; accompany juveniles to and from detention, placements, court, activities, and appointments.
• Provide accountability and life skills education to probationers; serve as representative for the department on specific committees and in partnerships.
• In addition to the above duties, the Juvenile Counselor will: administer risk assessments to gather client and family information; determine safe placement for youth; conduct investigative research; prepare law and probation violation petitions, set hearing dates, and prepare summons; explain court procedures; initiate victim contact to determine victim impact and financial loss; provide hearing notification and address concerns and questions; formulate appropriate restitution and other recommendations; adjudicate, advocate, develop case plans, supervise, and monitor juvenile offenders for compliance including restitution collection; provide accurate documentation including contacts, incidents, treatment, and supervision discussions; design curriculum; lead, teach, and facilitate educational and skill groups and programs for youth and families.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

LEVEL AND TYPE OF WORK AND/OR SUPERVISION:

Juvenile Counseling Assistant

• Journey level
• Paraprofessional
• Perform the full range of duties, working independently, applying well-developed subject knowledge, and exercising judgment and initiative.
• Receive occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise.
• Fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit.
• Work is reviewed based on compliance, appropriateness, and effectiveness in meeting goals and deadlines.
• Receive general supervision from manager or staff.

Juvenile Counselor

• Journey level
• Professional
• Perform the full range of duties, working independently, applying well-developed subject knowledge, and exercising judgment and initiative.
• Receive occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise.
• Fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit.
• Work is reviewed based on compliance, appropriateness, and effectiveness in meeting goals and deadlines.
• Receive direction from manager or staff.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS GUIDELINES:

Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. Requirements are determined at the time of recruitment based on responsibilities of the individual position and business needs of the department.

Juvenile Counseling Assistant

Training and experience for journey level, paraprofessional classifications are typically equivalent to an associate's degree and one (1) to four (4) years of experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position. (Equivalency 3-6 years of qualifying training and/or experience).

Juvenile Counselor

Training and experience for journey level, professional classifications are typically equivalent to a bachelor's degree and one (1) to four (4) years of experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position. (Equivalency 5-8 years of qualifying training and/or experience). 

Depending upon assignment, candidates may be required to pass a criminal background check, have a valid driver license, and/or additional training, licenses, or certificates.