Youth Development Counselor - Loysville Youth Development Center, Perry County

If you are passionate about making a difference in the world and helping others, the Department of Human Services, Bureau of Juvenile Justice Services has an amazing opportunity for you. We are actively seeking compassionate Youth Development Counselors to work with court-adjudicated youth at the Loysville Youth Development Center. Our employees are dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of these young individuals and are willing to actively engage with them and develop strong relationships. This role requires a willingness to build a collaborative partnership with a diverse population and a genuine desire to make a difference. Do not wait any longer, apply now and be a part of this meaningful and rewarding journey!

Watch this video to see how you can make a difference!

As a Youth Development Counselor, you will actively engage with court-adjudicated youth requiring guidance, instruction, treatment, and specialized services in a secure or restricted setting. You will have an opportunity to provide guidance in social and emotional growth by role modeling values and ideals that elicit a genuine desire in court-adjudicated youth to change behaviors. Comprehensive training will be provided.

In your day-to-day job duties, you will develop, implement, and monitor individual treatment program plans to include individual, group, and family counseling sessions. You will assess and counsel youth about their thought processes, actions, and personal problems to provide insight into responsible behaviors and attitudes. You will address crisis situations to maintain order by verbally and physically intervening with disruptive, emotionally improper, and suicidal youth. Through the utilization of appropriate physical restraint techniques, you will prevent escapes, control aggressiveness, and maintain a safe, secure, or restricted environment.

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 40 hours per week
• This is shift work in a 24/7/365 operation, including holidays and weekends with 8-hour shifts. Work weeks are 5 days on and 2 days off. Possible shifts include 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM, and 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM, with no duty-free lunch. Work hours and schedule may change based on operational needs.

• Overtime and travel as operationally necessary

• FREE parking!
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary: Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $61,903.00 (before taxes).
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Four years of experience as a Juvenile Justice Specialist (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• Three years of experience as a Juvenile Justice Specialist Supervisor (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• One year of experience in the care, custody, supervision, activities, leadership, or personal guidance of court adjudicated or socially maladjusted individuals in an organized program, and a bachelor's degree in the behavioral sciences, special education, juvenile justice, or criminal justice; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes one year of experience in the care, custody, supervision, activities, leadership, or personal guidance of court adjudicated or socially maladjusted individuals in an organized program.

• You must be willing to accept employment at Loysville Youth Development Center and commute to this location in Perry County.
• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• A conditional offer of employment will require a medical examination and drug screening.
• This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law.
  • Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

Veterans:

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.