Juvenile Detention Counselor 1, 2 or 3 - Augusta YDC-Augusta, GA (CCR)

Juvenile Justice, Department of • Augusta, GA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Juvenile Detention Counselor supports program delivery and case management at Augusta Youth Development Campus. Under supervision or limited direction, the counselor coordinates and provides youth services, structured cognitive behavioral and life-skills groups, counseling, assessments, documentation, and administrative support to facilitate juvenile rehabilitation and maintain a safe and secure facility. The position may be hired at levels 1, 2, or 3, with level-dependent qualifications and annual salaries of $41,040, $46,040, or $51,040.

The counselor conducts youth intake, admission, and orientation; reviews collateral and background information; assesses needs, strengths, risks, housing plans, and treatment requirements; and develops or monitors service plans with multidisciplinary teams and other stakeholders. The role includes counseling youth individually and in groups, communicating program goals, identifying high-risk situations, and preparing safety or housing plans. The counselor documents services and progress, prepares required reports and court-related reviews, maintains confidential case records, supports quality assurance, and provides coverage that may include afternoons, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field from an accredited college or university.
• For level 2: bachelor’s degree in a related field and two years of job-related experience, or two years of experience at the lower-level Social Services Program Coordinator 1 (SSP030) or equivalent position.
• For level 3: bachelor’s degree in a related field and four years of job-related experience, or two years of experience at the lower-level Social Services Program Coordinator 2 (SSP031) or equivalent position.
• Some positions require eligibility for licensure.
• Ability to conduct youth assessments, counseling, group programming, case documentation, and service planning as described in the position duties.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, sociology, social work, forensic psychology, school counseling, rehabilitation counseling, criminal justice, or a directly related field (level 1).
• Master’s degree in a related field (levels 2 and 3).
• Graduate coursework in treatment and assessment methods, group counseling, rehabilitation, adolescent development, and risks/needs/responsivity focused on specific adolescent populations (levels 2 and 3).
• One year of experience in mental health or substance abuse treatment, juvenile justice, or a residential setting (levels 2 and 3).
• Professional or general counseling experience in a mental health or substance abuse treatment, juvenile justice, or residential setting (levels 2 and 3).
• Knowledge and experience applying risk-reduction principles and assessments with juvenile or adult populations (levels 2 and 3).

Responsibilities

• Support delivery of programs and case management services at assigned facilities, working with program staff to align services with best practices and departmental policy.
• Provide structured cognitive behavioral and life-skills groups; facilitate or co-facilitate groups and document program activities.
• Participate in facility-wide PBIS activities when available and conduct parent/youth support when needed.
• Conduct youth assessments for housing plans, risk levels, risks/needs/responsivity, and treatment needs.
• Complete mandated youth progress reviews for local and state courts and prepare reviews for early release and alternative placements.
• Manage or assist with facility quality assurance processes.
• Perform or direct youth intake, admission, and orientation in accordance with policy.
• Collect and assess in-depth information about clients’ situations and functioning, abilities, needs, and eligibility for services; review collateral and background information to determine appropriate program services.
• Provide individual, group, or family counseling to promote positive changes in youth behavior and social situations.
• Communicate program goals and objectives clearly to youth and conduct regular individual counseling and program-guided group sessions.
• Apply behavioral, cognitive restructuring, and relapse-prevention approaches; identify high-risk situations and implement appropriate housing or safety plans.
• Document group sessions, concepts taught, and participants’ progress in accordance with established time frames and guidelines.
• Conduct daily living-unit rounds to identify and address youth needs; provide evening and weekend coverage for youth social, emotional, and behavioral needs.
• Collaborate with agency stakeholders on discharge recommendations and participate in multidisciplinary teams to identify youth strengths, resources, symptoms, and behavioral challenges and develop and monitor service plans.
• Prepare and submit required reports and other documentation.
• Attend continuing education related to case management trends and professional development.
• Maintain confidentiality of case records and release information as required by policy; observe departmental confidentiality rules when disseminating and interpreting test results.
• Educate the public, other agencies, vendors, and potential customers about case management services.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Retirement and savings plan options
• Paid holidays
• Vacation leave
• Sick leave
• Eligibility for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Total Rewards programs intended to improve work environment, job satisfaction, and work/life balance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level