Youth Development Counselor - Southeast Youth Development Center - Montgomery County

Work with a diverse population and make a difference in the lives of Pennsylvania's youth! The Bureau of Juvenile Justice Services is seeking dedicated counselors to work in the rehabilitation and social development of adjudicated delinquent youth at Southeast Youth Development Center. In this position, you will roll up your sleeves and develop effective relationships with staff and court-adjudicated youth to help address personal problems and provide positive reinforcement to instill proper attitudes and responsible behaviors. Apply today and begin an exciting and rewarding opportunity!

As a Youth Development Counselor, you will develop and implement effective individual treatment plans for court-adjudicated youth that produce positive results in changed behaviors. In this role, you will intervene in crisis and controversial situations to prevent harmful behaviors and engage with court-adjudicated youth requiring guidance, instruction, treatment, and specialized services in a secure or restricted setting. Some of your duties will include developing, implementing, and monitoring individual treatment program plans to include individual, group, and family counseling sessions. You will also assess and counsel youth about their thought processes, actions, and personal problems to provide insight into responsible behaviors and attitudes. You can expect to address crisis situations to maintain order by verbally and physically intervening with disruptive, emotionally improper, and suicidal youth. Additionally, you will use appropriate physical restraint techniques to prevent escapes, control aggressiveness, and maintain a safe and secure environment.

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours consists of shift work in a 24/7 operation, including weekends and holidays, with no duty-free lunch. Work weeks are 5 days on and 2 days off.
  • 1st shift: 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM
  • 2nd shift: 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM
  • 3rd shift: 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM
• This may change based on operational needs.
• Travel and overtime as needed
• You must be willing to accept employment at South East Youth Development Center and commute to this location in Montgomery County.
• Free parking!
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary: Selected candidates who are new to employment within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $63,301.00 (before taxes).
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Four years of experience as a Juvenile Justice Specialist (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• Three years of experience as a Juvenile Justice Specialist Supervisor (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• One year of experience in the care, custody, supervision, activities, leadership, or personal guidance of court adjudicated or socially maladjusted individuals in an organized program, and a bachelor's degree in the behavioral sciences, special education, juvenile justice, or criminal justice; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes one year of experience in the care, custody, supervision, activities, leadership, or personal guidance of court adjudicated or socially maladjusted individuals in an organized program.

Other Requirements:

• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
  
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• A conditional offer of employment will require a medical examination and drug screening.
• This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law.
  • Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

Veterans:

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.