Under direction, incumbents in the class of Juvenile Correctional Counselor (Senior) are expected to provide lead supervision in a post position and/or perform advanced journey level work in a juvenile detention facility. Incumbents perform and provide lead supervision to others in the guidance, counseling, care and custody of justice-involved youth during an assigned shift and; serve as a member of the department's leadership team.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This class is the senior level class in the Juvenile Correctional Counselor series.
The class is distinguished from the:
Juvenile Correctional Counselor (Supervising) class, which has the full scope of supervisory responsibilities and may have responsibility for the day-to-day operation of a juvenile facility.
Juvenile Correctional Counselor and Juvenile Correctional Counselor (Entry) classes, which receive technical and/or functional oversight from the Juvenile Correctional Counselor (Senior) and perform less advanced level work.
Supervision Received and Exercised
Supervision is provided by a Juvenile Correctional Counselor (Supervising).
Employees in this class may provide technical and/or functional oversight to employees in the Juvenile Correctional Counselor and Juvenile Correctional Counselor (Entry) classes.
Exercises supervision over justice-involved youth.
Examples of Duties
In the absence of higher authority, has complete shift responsibility; makes work assignments to accomplish specific tasks; conducts on-the-job training of subordinates; recommends personnel actions related to employee discipline; evaluates employee performance; renders decisions and, takes and directs immediate actions during emergency situations as appropriate, in absence of higher authority; summons relief workers as required; responds to emergent situations to include, but not limited to, medical and mental health concerns, attempted or actual escape, fire or other natural disasters; transports youth as needed.
Meets with representatives of other programs, departments, agencies and community organizations.; coordinates with parents of detainees, law enforcement agencies, probation officers, judges, social workers, medical personnel, attorneys, ministers and/or the general public.
Supervises a group of youth; arranges, supervises and monitors recreation and other activities; performs intensive counseling and cognitive behavioral training of difficult cases; administers medication following the directions/instructions of competent medical personnel.
Facilitates Cognitive Behavioral Training (CBT) groups; implements behavioral management program; conducts CBT mini-cycles with youth; creates and monitors weekly and monthly case plans.
Coordinates shift activity with overall operation of the facility; represents subordinates during staff meetings; coordinates volunteer activities with facility operations.
Performs administrative details such as supply ordering, maintenance requests, and minor purchasing duties; conducts intake and release of youths.
Participates in hiring processes and provides input on hiring decisions for subordinate classes.
Maintains professional knowledge in applicable areas and keeps abreast of changes in job-related rules, statutes, laws and new business trends; makes recommendations for the implementation of changes; reads and interprets professional literature; attends training programs, workshops and seminars as appropriate.
Assists in providing treatment in a community-based program; assists in rehabilitation by facilitating an integrated system of care, using the expertise of other agencies and personnel; facilitates conferences with families and assigned personnel; acts as a liaison with and supports families; provides vocational assessments and educational support.
Conducts drug testing of youth.
Provides personal care services such as food, laundry, and transportation.
May appear in court to answer questions or serve as a witness.
Verifies all duties and responsibilities of subordinate staff are complete.
May perform duties and responsibilities of Juvenile Correctional Counselor class.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
Knowledge of:
Standards and accepted principles of leadership, on-the-job training, and work review.
Laws, rules and procedures of the juvenile justice system.
Facility rules and policies, laws and regulations as they pertain to youth assigned to the facility, juvenile problems and development.
Groups and individual counseling techniques including Cognitive Behavioral Training; theory and application.
Crisis intervention methods and counseling techniques.
Effective teamwork concepts.
Accepted methods and techniques for conducting effective youth group work.
Management of assaultive and violent behavior.
Basic First Aid.
Applicable Penal Code, Health and Safety Code, Vehicle Code, Welfare and Institutions Code sections
English composition, spelling, grammar, vocabulary, and punctuation for both written and oral communications.
Formats and uses of appropriate terminology for written communications such as narrative reports.
Standard office procedures, practices, equipment, personal computers, and software.
Skills and/or Ability to:
Distribute work and provide work directions, review work performance and conduct of staff, and provide on-the-job training to staff.
Understand, interpret and apply applicable laws, regulations and policies governing program operations and use good judgement in their application.
Comply with laws, regulations and professional practices governing juvenile detention program services and operations. Make decisions and independent judgments; determine the appropriate course of action in emergency or stressful situations.
Make assignments; prioritize and evaluate work.
Coordinate activities and communicate plans, goals and objectives to staff and to youth.
Communicate information and ideas clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
Communicate effectively with people, especially teenagers, of diverse socio-economic backgrounds and temperaments.
Deal firmly and fairly with clients of various socio‑economic backgrounds and temperaments
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties.
Work with and speak to various cultural and ethnic individuals and groups in a tactful and effective manner.
Understand program objectives in relation to departmental goals and procedures.
Prepare a variety of written communications to include narrative and statistical reports.
Maintain accurate records and document actions taken.
Maintain confidentiality of records and information per pertinent laws/regulations.
Perform a variety of technical and specialized tasks and functions in an independent, competent and timely manner.
Interview people to ascertain motives or personal problems.
Be aware of faces, incidents and location of assigned youth at all time; remember individuals, actions, statements made, and location of incidents.
Use modern office equipment to include computers and related software applications.
Operate and maintain a variety of hand and power tools and communication radios properly and safely.
Apply physical restraints as necessary.
Administer first aid and CPR.
Operate a motor vehicle safely.
Education and Experience
Education: Completion of sixty (60) semester units is required, from an accredited college or university, preferably in criminology, social work, psychology, sociology or a closely related field and completion of the Juvenile Counselor Core Course certified by the California Board of State and Community Corrections Standards and Training for Correctional Programs.
AND
Experience: Two years of full-time work experience supervising youth in a juvenile detention facility.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid Class C California driver's license is required.
Completion of Section 832 of the California State Penal Code training is required.
Possession of an American National Red Cross Standard First Aid and Personal Safety certificate is required. Successful completion of training in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation is required.
Peace Officers must meet minimum standards concerning citizenship, age, character, education and physical/mental condition as set forth in Section 1031 of the California Government Code.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Independent travel is required and on occasion may involve transporting a juvenile experiencing a medical emergency.
Incumbents must be able to work in a sometimes hostile environment; may be required to lift objects weighing more than 100 pounds with assistance; pursuant to Title 15, Division 1 of the California Administrative Code, incumbents will be required to successfully complete twenty four hours of annual training. Some positions in this class may require bilingual skills.
Some positions in this class are located at Fouts Springs Youth Facility, which is an extremely isolated, national wilderness preservation area. It is located in Colusa County, approximately a 2 1/2 hour drive from Fairfield. The nearest town (and emergency response team) is 50 miles away and access to the Ranch is a nine mile narrow mountain road. Incumbents may be called upon to perform unusual tasks if necessary, due to the remoteness of the facility, including taking juveniles on overnight hikes and camping trips.
ADA Compliance
Physical Ability: Tasks involve the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, but which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5-10 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at an assigned work area. May include lifting more than 100 pounds with assistance.
Sensory Requirements: Requires the ability to recognize and identify similarities and differences between shade, degree or value of colors, shapes, sounds, forms, textures or physical appearance associated with job-related objects, materials, tasks or people.
Environmental Factors: Requires the ability to work under conditions where exposure to environmental factors poses a moderate risk of moderate injury or illness.
