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 rehabilitaiton services and case management, consistent with Positive Youth Development practices.
Duties & Responsibilities
The Juvenile Justice Institutional Counselor (JJIC) will provide guidance, prevention, and early intervention strategies designed to connect each youth with effective rehabilitation services. The average caseload for a JJIC is approximately twenty (20) youth. These youth may be committed/detained or title16 youth and assigned to The Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services. As a member of the interdisciplinary team, the Juvenile Justice Institutional Counselor is a responsible for preparing each youth for transition to eventual placements and/or home. Additionally, the JJIC will develop and implement strategies to meet the identified treatment needs of assigned youth, as well as, ensure that unit staff is aware of and are delivering the requirements of the ISP and treatment program for each youth as specified.
The JJIC will chair interdisciplinary meetings, review, and modify the ISP and document all recommendations to the ISP and/or overall programming recommendations in the Electronic Health Care system. Additionally, the JJIC is responsible for completing monthly progress reports for each assigned youth. The incumbent provides summaries of youth activities, behavior and program participation upon request to both the Probation Office and/or the DC Office of the Attorney General, Juvenile Branch, as well as defense attorneys. The JJIC will meet with youth individually, weekly or more frequently as determined by the youth's needs, in addition to assisting unit staff in leading regular counseling sessions in order to address interpersonal, and practical problems of the youth in their living environment.
Qualifications And Education
Degree: behavioral or social science; 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 the duties of the position successfully, and that is typically related to the work of the position to be filled. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (09) in the normal line of progression for the occupation.
Licenses And Certifications
None
Working Conditions/Environment
The incumbent works primarily in a secure institutional seeting; however, some tasks will require fieldwork in juvenile correctional facilites 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
Collective Bargaining Unit (Non-Union): This position is covered in a collective bargaining unit represented by 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.
EEO Statement: The District of Columbia Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of 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.
