Juvenile Court Counselor- District 5 (New Hanover County)

About Us

The Department of Public Safety's mission is to safeguard and preserve the lives and property of the people of North Carolina through preparation, prevention, and protection with integrity and honor. Our agency houses many public safety divisions, including Emergency Management, Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Alcohol Law Enforcement, Samarcand Training Academy, and the North Carolina National Guard. Join us along with our more than 3,000 employees and 12,000 National Guard members in providing exceptional public safety services to the citizens of North Carolina.

The Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention is committed to the reduction and prevention of juvenile delinquency by effectively intervening, educating, and treating youth in order to strengthen families and increase public safety. This posting is for District 5 located in the Eastern Region of the State of North Carolina, specifically in New Hanover County.

Description of Work

We are looking for candidates who have a passion for helping court-involved youth. Juvenile Court Services provides intake and supervision services for undisciplined and delinquent juveniles within a continuum of services that provides care and control.

Responsibilities

• Receive and process allegations of delinquent and undisciplined behavior.
• Assess the risks and needs of the juvenile to provide for the security of the community and the juvenile's well-being.
• Divert from court those youth whose risk levels and needs can be met through diversion plans without formal court intervention.
• Make recommendations to court based on assessments that can include secure detention, if warranted.
• Provide case management as part of supervision for youths on probation to assure the delivery of appropriate services while assuring compliance with court orders.
• Provide aftercare, case management, and post-release supervision to juveniles returning to the community following a commitment to a youth development center.

Qualifications

DPS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions with the most qualified individuals. The following Minimum Education and Experience (E&E) are REQUIRED to qualify for this position:

• Master's degree from an appropriately accredited institution and one year of experience in counseling or working with the juvenile/family client population and/or related human service case management experience.
• Bachelor's degree from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of experience in counseling or working with the juvenile/family client population and/or related human service case management experience.

For a Trainee Appointment:

• Bachelor’s degree from an appropriately accredited institution.

Skills

Preference may be given to applicants who demonstrate the following skills:

• Experience navigating complex family dynamics in support of family-centered care.
• Experience with case management documentation in accordance with professional organizational standards.
• Experience working with socioeconomic psychosocial issues that contribute to at-risk juveniles.
• Experience using the System of Care approach that addresses factors contributing to juvenile delinquency.

Necessary Special Qualifications

Applicants for positions designated as Juvenile Justice Officers must meet the following qualifications:

• Must attend and successfully complete and pass the Juvenile Justice Officer Basic Training Certification Program, which requires three weeks to complete and includes classroom and physically demanding training with consecutive overnight stays.
• Must have or be able to obtain required documentation for certification as a Juvenile Justice Officer (e.g., a diploma).
• Pass a criminal background check, drug screening test, psychological test, sexual risk screening test, and physical exam (including vision and hearing).
• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Be at least 20 years of age.
• Have a valid driver's license.

Pay

Salary Range: $48,374 - $70,586

Juvenile Court Counselors enjoy annual salary increases with a step pay plan. Initial salary is based on total months of related education and experience above the minimum requirements. Once hired, pay continues to increase as you gain more related experience up to step 6.

• Step 0: $48,374
• Step 1: $51,518
• Step 2: $54,869
• Step 3: $58,434
• Step 4: $62,233
• Step 5: $66,278
• Step 6: $70,586

Schedule

This is a full-time position. Work hours are Monday-Friday, 8 AM-5 PM. Candidates must be able to work on-call hours, weekends, and holidays on a rotating basis and be able to work a variable work schedule to meet the needs of juveniles and their families.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package to enhance your quality of life, health, wellness, and future, including:

• Vacation and twelve paid holidays.
• Paid parental leave.
• Health, disability (short and long term), and dental insurance.
• Referral Bonus Program: This job classification qualifies for the employee referral bonus program.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility for applicants with student loans.