Probation Counselor I

About the Role

This position is responsible for direct care of a majority male resident population, providing security and controlling the Juvenile Detention Center. Duties include monitoring residents' living units, security desk, and court holding during designated shifts, as well as providing in-depth counseling on topics such as substance abuse, crisis intervention, mental health, and conflict resolution. The role involves conducting group and individual sessions to ease detainees' adjustment anxieties and utilizing physical crisis intervention as needed.

This position is considered "essential personnel" and requires reporting to work during countywide emergencies, regardless of weather, transportation, or other disaster situations.

Responsibilities

• Supervise residents during unit activities, health, recreation, and school programs.
• Perform security checks, wake-up and bedtime procedures, showering and hygiene functions, and unit housekeeping.
• Write behavioral observations and disciplinary reports.
• Provide orientation of residents to the program.
• Direct house routines and therapeutic programs in a residential facility.
• Ensure residents maintain behavioral norms.
• Maintain communication with a resident's probation counselor, school representative, employer, family, and significant others.
• Coordinate and implement residential program areas (e.g., recreational, educational, or employment activities).
• Coordinate and transport detainees between courts, the residential detention facility, or other facilities.
• Physically restrain disruptive or aggressive residents as needed.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in social/behavioral sciences, law enforcement, or education.
• Valid Driver's License (required at the time of application).
• Certifications required within specified timeframes:
  • Medication Management (within 6 months).
  • CPR/First Aid (within 30 days).
  • Handle With Care (within 30 days).
• Ability to work day (7am-3pm), evenings (3pm-11pm), overnights, weekends, holidays, and during inclement weather or emergencies.
• Basic proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience working in a secure facility or residential setting for juveniles.
• Bilingual in English and another language (e.g., Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander languages, Indo-European languages).

Physical Requirements

• Ability to physically restrain acting-out residents and lift up to 50 pounds.
• Requires walking, standing for long periods, periodic running, visual and auditory acuity, and the ability to operate keyboard-driven and electronic equipment.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle.
• All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

Selection Process

Panel interview and may include a practical exercise.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination and encourages reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities during the application and interview processes. Requisition #26-01288.