The Juvenile Diversion Counselor performs a wide variety of activities related to juvenile diversion and youth and family services programs; maintains relations with community social, legal and education agencies; provides counseling, intervention and case management services to youth and families experiencing conflicts, crisis and trauma. An ideal candidate thrives in providing crisis intervention and counseling with a diverse range of people in emergency or stressful situations, excels in managing competing priorities, and can function within a law enforcement environment.
Please note: Interviews are scheduled for Thursday, February 19th.
**3% Salary Increase scheduled for July 2026.**
GREAT BENEFITS including: the City currently pays the majority of the medical coverage premium for employees (and their dependents) and 100% of the premium for dental and vision coverage. The City also offers a $400/month health insurance opt-out option, if applicable. Additionally, vacation accrual increases with service; immediate City contribution to deferred comp, increasing with service; longevity pay, etc. See more in the "Benefits" tab.Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:
- Develops, coordinates, and performs a variety of assigned program activities.
- Develops and maintains collaborative and cooperative working relationships with various city, county, social, legal, and educational entities.
- Performs consultation and assessment services; consulting with school groups regarding student behavior problems; and consulting with parents regarding destructive adolescent behavior.
- Assists law enforcement and Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) with intervention, counseling, restorative justice, and referral of juveniles; coordinates services with juvenile probation, court agencies, and law enforcement; assists law enforcement with juvenile related investigations; reviews and monitors police reports pertaining to juvenile activity; provides legal research assistance regarding juvenile law.
- Acts as department representative in juvenile and community relations activities; initiates and participates in the development of community based youth and family resources; conducts focus groups, forums and neighborhood meetings; provides education regarding juvenile behavior for university, high school and other interested community groups.
- Arranges, facilitates, and participates in program related meetings, trainings, boards, and groups, including Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) meetings and workshops, Student Attendance Review Board (SARB), Parent Project, and Teen Court.
- Prepares grant proposals and administers program grants.
- Composes, prepares, and processes a variety of correspondence, reports, statistical data, forms and other documents; establishes and maintains accurate and efficient record keeping and case management systems, both manual and electronic.
- Assists in training staff in the subjects of juvenile behavior, Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM), stress reduction, and interpersonal communications.
- Trains, supervises and evaluates assigned staff, volunteers or interns.
- Performs other related duties as assigned
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DESIRABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
Juvenile Diversion Counselor: Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in psychology, counseling, social work or a related field; and at least three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in counseling or other human services field involving direct service provision with juveniles and families.
Knowledge of: Applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations; community resources and social scientific findings regarding juveniles and families; restorative justice, deviancy, delinquency and related prevention and intervention strategies; characteristics and resources of community; juvenile justice process and procedures; the subjects of child abuse, child development, styles of family functioning, physiological and sociological aspects of deviant behavior, and personality disorders; adult learning processes; services offered by city, county, social, legal, and educational entities; grant application and administration; modern office methods, practices, procedures, and equipment including computer hardware and software necessary for work functions, including word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications; English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation; principles of record keeping; techniques for dealing effectively with those contacted in the course of work, both in person and on the telephone.
Ability to: Conduct assessments regarding family functioning, chronic and acute stress levels, and school functioning; apply crisis intervention principles and concepts; apply counseling theories and techniques, including confrontation skills; constructively problem solve utilizing various techniques; apply active listening techniques; coordinate with community agencies and resources; facilitate small and large group meetings; interpret, apply, explain, and reach sound decisions in accordance with regulations, policies and procedures; compose, prepare, and process a variety of correspondence, reports, forms, and other documents, ensuring accuracy completeness, and compliance with policy and procedure; function within a law enforcement environment, maintaining ethical professional standards and positively representing the department; communicate clearly and effectively orally and in writing; operate a computer, necessary software applications, and other applicable standard office equipment; maintain highly sensitive and confidential information; use a high degree of tact, diplomacy and discretion in dealing with sensitive situations, materials, and information; establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with contacted in the course of work.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS- Possess a valid California Driver's License.
- A commitment to understand and support diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
- Willing and available to attend meetings and meet with clients after regular working hours, and to respond to crisis at any hour of the day or night.
- Willing and available to participate in, and to make presentations at, conferences and/or community group meetings both locally and out of the area.
- Willing and available to attend ongoing professional training both locally and out of the area.
- Willing to maintain an office or workspace on a school campus.
- Maintain absolute confidentiality in regard to certain information received and handled in the course of work.
- Interact with a diverse range of people, which includes emergency or stressful situations.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTSWork is generally performed in an office environment. Must be able to perform the physical aspects of the job, including sitting and/or standing for periods of time; operate standard office equipment, including a computer; hearing and speech to communicate in person, and over the telephone; lift, push, pull, and carry up to 25 lbs.
