YOUTH SERVICES COUNSELOR - 7210

GRADE - 114

PAY RANGE - $29.51 - $42.08/hr - plus a comprehensive benefits package

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

Provides crisis intervention to juvenile offenders, youths at risk and other adolescents and their families; performs directly related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

The principal function of an employee in this class is to provide crisis intervention, short term counseling, substance abuse assessments, prevention services, and appropriate referrals to various populations of juveniles and their families. The work is performed under the supervision and direction of the Youth Services Director but extensive leeway is granted for the exercise of independent judgment and initiative. Youth Service Counselors are responsible for providing substance abuse evaluation either independently or under the supervision of a licensed alcohol and drug counselor. The nature of the work performed requires that an employee in this class establish and maintain effective working relationships with other Department employees, law enforcement officials, representatives of the juvenile justice system, other health and social service agencies, school personnel and the public. The principal duties of this class are performed in school settings throughout the City, often in hazardous conditions and extreme weather conditions.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL WORK:

• Provides counseling, intervention, and prevention services to young people and their families;
• Counsels, students experiencing academic, emotional, or social problems to process their problems and plan goals and action;
• Mediates conflicts between students and teachers;
• Assists students with college applications, scholarships, and jobs;
• Provides guidance and counseling about drug and alcohol prevention programs; organizes peer counseling programs; refers students to psychologists and other mental health resources;
• Operates as a member of the Office of Youth Services (OYS) Team by supporting and consulting with other team members under the supervision of the Director;
• Consistently behaves in accordance with the ethical standards and principles of any and all professional organizations with which they are affiliated;
• Determines needs of adolescents and/or family members and makes referrals to appropriate agencies;
• Evaluates students’ abilities, interests, and personalities to assist with developing realistic academic and career goals;
• Administers psycho/social tests, scores and interprets results, and writes correlating reports;
• Works on academic boards to improve learning conditions;
• Advocates for student well-being;
• Writes reports, tracks records, and maintains case notes on all clients;
• Tracks outcomes and success stories;
• Assists with community-based OYS programs;
• Helps facilitate OYS programming including mindfulness, anger management, and the Future Success Class;
• Maintains ongoing relationship with law enforcement officials and representatives of the juvenile court system, receives referrals, and produces reports;
• Represents the agency at professional gatherings and community activities;
• Develops and presents educational programs;
• Consults with area agencies as appropriate;
• Supervises staff as assigned;
• Provides guidance and demonstrations to new employees in similar positions;
• Keeps supervisors informed of work progress, issues, and potential solutions;
• Attends meetings and training to stay current on relevant practices and developments;
• Responds to citizen inquiries courteously and promptly;
• Coordinates regularly with others to enhance interdepartmental efficiency; and
• Performs additional duties as required by the classification.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Thorough knowledge of the theory, principles, and techniques of counseling;
• Thorough knowledge and ability to deal with youth at risk;
• Thorough knowledge of human behavior principles;
• Thorough knowledge of area health and social service agencies;
• Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, and procedures of substance abuse therapy;
• Ability to interact with youth at risk on their turf;
• Ability to assess needs of youth at risk;
• Ability to communicate effectively with others, both orally and in writing, using both technical and non-technical language;
• Ability to understand and follow oral and/or written policies, procedures and instructions;
• Ability to prepare and present accurate and reliable reports containing findings and recommendations;
• Ability to operate or quickly learn to operate a personal computer using standard or customized software applications appropriate to assigned tasks;
• Ability to use logical and creative thought processes to develop solutions according to written specifications and/or oral instructions;
• Ability to work as a part of a multi-disciplinary team;
• Ability to practice within the ethical standards and principles of any and all organizations to which they belong;
• Ability to perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines;
• Ability and willingness to quickly learn and put to use new skills and knowledge brought about by rapidly changing information and/or technology;
• Integrity, ingenuity, and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks.

ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s Degree in Counseling or a related field; and
• Three to five years of experience in youth service programs, criminal justice, education, or social services; or
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to perform the work.

REQUIRED SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• May require State certificate in Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counseling;
• May require State Certificate in Alcohol and Other Drug Use Prevention.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL ABILITIES:

• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing or other communication capabilities, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to communicate effectively;
• Sufficient vision or other powers of observation, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to review assigned programs;
• Sufficient manual dexterity with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to function in operate a personal computer and related equipment;
• Sufficient personal physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to turn, reach and grasp repetitively;
• Sufficient strength and endurance, with or without reasonable accommodation to lift and carry, through a full range of motion, up to 20 pounds occasionally, 10 pounds frequently and 5 pounds consistently;
• Sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to function in a general office environment or various work areas throughout the City.