Middle Peninsula Juvenile Detention Commission

MIDDLE PENINSULA JUVENILE DETENTION COMMISSION JOB DESCRIPTION CLASSIFICATION: COUNSELOR II

NATURE OF WORK: This position performs responsible professional level work at the full performance level of a Counselor position. This position performs the more difficult work of a Counselor. Work includes supervision, care and custody of youth, admission and release, property control, medication agent duty, crisis intervention/crisis counseling. This position works shifts which include nights, weekends and holidays. There is no scheduled lunch break. This position is subject to call 24 hours a day and is considered essential personnel in cases of emergency. Duties are performed under the general supervision of a detention supervisor.

RESPONSIBILITIES/WORK BEHAVIORS: - Supervises youth in their daily routines and their participation in indoor/outdoor recreation. - Assigns and supervises youth in daily light housekeeping tasks. - Maintains basic discipline and control of youth. - Observes youth to detect potentially dangerous situations. Assists youth in relieving anxiety through counseling and activities. - Conducts individual and group crisis counseling. - Conducts group educational/life skills groups. - Recommends additional treatment or services to appropriate agents. - Writes progress reports as necessary. - Provides reports and information to the Courts as requested. - Transports youth to courts and appointments. - Maintains all logs and completes all reports as required. - Assists in the orientation of new staff and volunteers.

ADDITIONAL JOB DUTIES: - Performs duties of security control staff as assigned. - May function as Supervisor on Duty as assigned. - Performs related work as required. - Conducts admission and release processes, including security of personal property. - Conducts medical and mental health screening procedures. - Dispenses medications as assigned.

MINIMUM ENTRY KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: - General knowledge of legal issues pertaining to the detention and confinement of juveniles. - General knowledge of principles of counseling. - General knowledge of safety and security issues as they relate to a secure detention facility and transportation. - Considerable knowledge of behavior management principles as they apply to a detention setting. - General knowledge of emotional, developmental, psycho-social, medical, and drug/alcohol abuse issues as they relate to juvenile delinquents. - General knowledge of the juvenile justice system. - Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing. - Ability to use computer equipment with reasonable speed and accuracy. - Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with youth, staff, other professionals and the public. - Ability to conduct interviews of a sensitive ,personal nature. - Ability to maintain a calm composure, exhibit sound judgment in stressful situations, and intervene effectively in crisis situations. - Ability to read, understand and interpret written policies, instructions, and communications. COUNSELOR II Page 2

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Any combination of education and experience equivalent to graduation from an accredited college or university with major course work in a related field and one year of experience in a similar environment.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Requires an acceptable background check, must not be listed with any state as having a founded child abuse or neglect complaint, must refrain from use of illegal drugs both off and on the job. Must maintain a current Virginia driver’s license, current tuberculin test, CPR, First Aid, Crisis Intervention, Medical Agent, and all other certifications and training required by policy and standards. Eligible for Hepatitis B inoculations.

Approved By:______Position Code: 720

Effective Date:______Salary Range: 21