Arts Program Counselor

About the role

The Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) protects and promotes the safety and well-being of children and families through child welfare and juvenile justice services and community supports. The Division of Youth and Family Justice (DYFJ) provides a wide range of services and programs for youth at every stage of the juvenile justice process.

The Juvenile Detention Art Program Counselor is responsible for developing and implementing art-based interventions and activities within a secure juvenile detention center setting. This position aims to foster positive emotional and behavioral development among incarcerated youth through creative expression.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement and administer a comprehensive year-round art program tailored to the unique needs and interests of juvenile detainees.
• Work directly with youth to facilitate art projects and workshops, fostering teamwork, leadership skills, problem-solving abilities, and critical thinking.
• Support the facilities and contracted providers in implementing special art projects, workshops, or events as needed.
• Cultivate self-confidence in youth and contribute to violence reduction through art-based activities and relationship-building.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to develop and implement art-focused programs and activities that promote creativity, self-expression, and personal growth.
• Prepare reports and updates for supervisors and relevant stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate records of art programs, participant attendance, and any incidents or issues that arise.
• Conduct training sessions for detention center staff on the benefits of art therapy and how to incorporate artistic interventions into their interactions with youth.
• Act as a liaison with contracted art programs and contract management units to ensure compliance with contracts and quality of services provided.
• Organize periodic provider meetings and prepare progress reports and annual evaluations of art program vendors.
• Perform additional duties as needed to meet the cultural, educational, and recreational needs of the youth in Secure Detention.

Requirements

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and two years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties described above; or
• High school graduation or equivalent and six years of experience in community work or community centered activities in an area related to the duties as described above; or
• Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have at least one year of experience as described in "1" above.

Preferred Skills

• Experience working with justice-involved, at-risk, or underserved youth in a residential, detention, educational, or community-based setting
• Demonstrated ability to de-escalate crisis situations, manage challenging behaviors, and exercise sound judgment in high-pressure environments
• Experience coordinating or providing direct services and youth development activities, including facilitating workshops, life skills programming, psychoeducational groups, and counseling, in a residential, detention, educational, or community-based setting
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and conflict resolution skills with the ability to build rapport with youth from diverse backgrounds
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate and engage with youth from diverse cultural backgrounds
• Bilingual or multilingual proficiency is a plus

Pay

The selected candidate will be offered a salary of $62,868.00 - $72,298.00.

Schedule

Note: This work assignment is at a secure detention facility which is a 24/7 operation. The work schedule may include evening hours, Saturdays, Sundays, holidays, and mandatory overtime. Shift assignments are based on the needs of the agency.