YOUTH COUNSELOR - MALE

About the role

Assumes responsibility for the supervision, safety, security and behavior management of dependent, neglect or delinquent youth at the Juvenile Detention Center.

Responsibilities

• Supervises dependent, neglected or delinquent youth residing in the Juvenile Detention Center.
• Makes decisions involving the admission of youth in crisis situations, voluntary or police referral.
• Interviews police/juvenile court officer or case worker and parents.
• Affirms the psychological, physical and emotional needs of the youth being referred.
• Checks and maintains security and safety of residents on a continual basis.
• Organizes, plans and implements structured daily activities for youth after assessing group dynamics and individual needs.
• Provides group and individual counseling for all residents.
• Promotes, encourages and supports appropriate behavior through relationship building, and confronts negative/inappropriate behavior in a professional manner.
• Physically restrains residents for the protection of themselves or others.
• Observes and records description of behavior for the purpose of program planning and for recommendation to the court.
• Keeps daily records and reports.
• Responds to emergency situations such as escape or suicide attempts, drug overdose, intoxicated youth, etc.
• Implements medical instructions.
• Maintains medical needs of youth and refers problems to appropriate authority.
• Implements behavior management system utilizing a token economy, behavior contracting, level system, time outs, mediation essays, etc.

Minimum Qualifications & Requirements

• Applicants must have one of the following:
• - Bachelor's degree and at least six (6) months of experience in the care, counseling and management of dependent, neglected and delinquent adolescents
• OR
• - At least four and a half years (4.5) years of experience in the care, counseling and management of dependent, neglected and delinquent adolescents
• Must meet requirements and licensing regulations, including good health evidenced by the ability to pass a County physical examination which includes a drug test after offer of employment; a person who has a record of a criminal conviction or founded child abuse report shall not be employed, unless an evaluation concludes that the crime or founded abuse does not merit prohibition of employment.
• Valid State of Iowa Driver’s License required.
• Certifications required after hire are Mandatory Child Abuse Reporting, Medication Dispensing, CPR, Mandt, and Prison Rape Elimination Act.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, life, long-term disability (LTD) insurance and wellness incentives.

Shift

• Shift 1: Sunday - Thursday, 3 - 11 p.m. (Friday, Saturday off)
• Shift 2: Tuesday - Saturday, 3 - 11 p.m. (Sunday, Monday off)

Employer

Linn County
Jean Oxley Public Service Center
935 Second Street S.W.
Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 52404-2100
Phone: 319-892-5120
Website: http://www.linncountyiowa.gov