Juvenile Justice Institutional Counselor

DC Department of Human Resources • Full-time • Washington, DC, US • 3w ago

Job Summary

This position is located within the Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS), within the division of Secure Programs. The mission of DYRS is to improve public safety and give court-involved youth the opportunity to become more productive citizens by building on the strengths of youth and their families in the least restrictive, most homelike environment consistent with public safety. Emphasis will be placed on best practices for interacting with youth via brief programming appropriate for youth in short-term detention center or treatment-oriented milieu for youth in long-term custody, depending on the legal status of the youth.

The Juvenile Justice Institutional Counselor's primary functions include implementing a range of prevention, coaching and early intervention strategies designed to re-connect youth with effective rehabilitation services and case management, consistent with Positive Youth Development practices.

Duties & Responsibilities

Serves as the Juvenile Justice Institutional Counselor/Case Manager for approximately twenty (20) youth; is a member of an interdisciplinary treatment team, with responsibility for the rehabilitation of youth and their eventual return to the community. Coordinates the initial development of the Temporary Service Plan (TSP) and Individual Service Plan (ISP) with education, recreation, mental health, and medical services for youth and monthly thereafter to review the plan's implementation. Determines compliance and reasons for non-compliance of the youth's ISP.

Chairs and documents in the Juvenile Information Management System (JIM) and youth's case file the interdisciplinary team meetings to review and modify, as needed, the ISP for each youth and prepares the assigned youth's monthly progress report. Makes recommendations to Probation Officer and requests to the DC Office of the Attorney General, Juvenile Branch, and defense attorneys to file motions recommending the court lower levels of detention for youth, as needed. Counsels and meets with youth individually, weekly or more frequently as determined by the youth's needs, in addition to assisting cottage staff in leading regular counseling sessions to address interpersonal, as well as practical problems of the youth m their living environment.

Monitors youth's treatment progress documents.

Qualifications And Education

Degree: Behavioral or Social Sciences; or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

OR

Combination of education and experience that provided the applicant with knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.

OR

Four years of appropriate experience that demonstrated that the applicant has acquired knowledge of one or more of the behavioral or social sciences equivalent to a major in the field.

Specialized Experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. To be credible, one (1) year of specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression.

Licenses And Certifications

None

Working Conditions/Environment

The incumbent works primarily in a secure institutional setting; however, some tasks will require fieldwork in juvenile correctional facilities or community based residential or non-residential settings.

Other Significant Facts

Tour of Duty: Work is performed in a 24/7 secure facility; therefore, hours may vary depending on program needs.

Pay Plan, Series and Grade: CS-0101-11

Promotion Potential: No Known Promotion Potential

Duration of Appointment: Career Services Permanent

Collective Bargaining Unit (Union): This position is covered in a collective bargaining unit represented by the Fraternal Order of Police Union (FOP). You may be required to pay dues or other applicable fees deducted from your salary.

Position Designation: The incumbent in this position will be subject to enhanced suitability screening pursuant to Chapter 4 of DC Personnel regulations, Suitability. This position has been designated as a safety-sensitive position.

Essential Designation: This position is designated as Essential pursuant to Chapter 12 of the D.C. Personnel Regulations, Hours of Work, Legal Holidays, and Leave.

Residency Preference: When claiming residency preference, you are required, and must agree in writing, to maintain bona fide District residency for a period of seven (7) consecutive years from the effective date of employment. You will be required to present documents (proofs) to show District residency and failure to maintain bona-fide District residency for the seven-year (7-year) period will result in forfeiture of employment.

EEO Statement: The District of Columbia Government does not discriminate in employment based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors.