Assistant Unit Director (Probation Counselor I)

The position is located at the Shelter Care Program. It provides oversight in a temporary care, community based residential group home for males and female court clients between the ages of 11-17. The primary goal is to ensure the health and physical well-being of residents by providing constant supervision and structured activities.

The awake Overnight Counselor provides direct sight and sound supervision to residents in the building. Ensures facility operation and building safety, maintenance, and security on evening, overnight, and weekend shifts. Ensures the health care and physical well-being of residents through appropriate disbursement of medication and administration of first aid. Provides quality assurance to County, Court and Department of Juvenile Justice standards and policy. Manages and dispenses prescription and non-prescription medication according to state regulatory requirements. Conducts room inspections, launders residents' uniforms and linens. Completes data entry in RSIS program. Responsible for transporting residents to court on an as-needed basis. Proficient in Microsoft applications: Word, Excel, Outlook. Ability to operate a 15-passenger van.

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position description.)

Counseling and Treatment Services

• Formulates treatment or rehabilitation plans and presents written or oral recommendations for adjustment of behavior;

• Facilitates placement, supervises and monitors community service requirements, schedules payments, collects court costs and restitution, monitors urine tests;

• Supervises child visitations and exchanges involving estranged parents according to court orders or other relevant agreements;

• Conducts intake interviews and supervises offenders/defendants through office and home visits to verify compliance with court orders;
  Interviews juvenile or adult offenders, their families and related persons to determine the nature of the adjustment difficulty (e.g., whether it is environmental, school, and/or social);

• Conducts field investigations;

• Refers offenders/defendants to other agencies or facilities as needed and maintains liaison with service providers to coordinate evaluations;
  Testifies in court and provides required written reports on adjustment and compliance to courts;
  Assesses short term goals, counsels offenders and provides opportunities for positive change;

• Provides crisis intervention services;

• Documents and composes case records, petitions and correspondence and periodically compiles related statistics;

• Aids clients in obtaining employment;

• Cooperates with representatives from State and local social service and law enforcement agencies in cases of mutual interest;

Residential Services

• Positions located in a residential facility supervise and direct house routines and therapeutic programs;

• Ensures that residents maintain behavioral norms;

• Maintains communication with a resident's probation counselor, school representative, employer, family, and significant others;

• Coordinates and implements a residential program area (e.g., recreational, educational, or employment activities);

• Coordinates and transports detainees between the courts, the residential detention facility or other various facilities;

Alcohol Safety Action Program Services

• Provides course instruction using Commission on Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program (VASAP) education curriculum Conduct intake assessments on new clients and make appropriate referrals.

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)

• Knowledge of the principles of psychology and sociology;

• Knowledge of current social and economic conditions;

• Ability to use technology to enter and retrieve information;

• Ability to interpret laws, rules, and regulations related to probation work;

• Ability to interview and counsel clients;

• Ability to prepare complete case records and reports;

• Ability to develop effective working relationships with a variety of individuals.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:
(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in social/behavioral sciences, law enforcement, or education.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• Driver's License (Required)
• Medication Management (Required within 6 months)
• CPR (As defined)
• First Aid (As defined)
• Handle With Care (As defined)

• This position is considered "essential personnel" and will be required to report to work during times designated countywide as approved for unscheduled leave regardless of the emergency situation (i.e., weather, transportation, other disaster).
• The appointee to the position will be required to complete the following to the satisfaction of the employer:
  • Criminal background investigation
  • Child Protective Services Registry check
  • Credit check
  • Driving record check
  • Pre-employment medical evaluation
  • Tuberculosis test

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working with court involved adolescents in a residential setting.
• Ability to work with complex behavioral problems and respond to crisis situations.
• Possess a bachelor's degree in a related field.
• Ability to work a varied schedule consisting of days, evenings, weekends and holidays.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others.) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314.DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.govEEO/AA/TTY.