Juvenile Detention Counselor 1, 2 or 3- Atlanta YDC-College Park, GA (CCR)

Georgia Department of Revenue • Atlanta, GA

2d • $41,040 - $51,040 • Onsite

About The Position

The Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice is hiring a Juvenile Detention Counselor at Atlanta Youth Development Campus in College Park, Georgia. Under supervision, the counselor plans, manages, and evaluates social services programs and coordinates services and program activities for youth. The position supports program delivery and case management in a youth detention facility, provides structured cognitive behavioral and life-skills groups, performs administrative duties, and helps promote rehabilitation and a safe, secure environment.

The counselor conducts intake, admission, orientation, and youth assessments; reviews background information; and helps determine appropriate services, housing plans, risk levels, and treatment needs. The role provides individual, group, and family counseling, participates in multidisciplinary teams, coordinates discharge recommendations, and completes progress reviews for courts and preparation reviews for early release or alternative placements. The counselor documents services and progress, maintains confidential case records, supports facility quality assurance, and works with program staff to ensure services follow best practices and departmental policy.

Work hours may include afternoons, evenings, holidays, and weekends, with evening and weekend coverage to address youths’ social, emotional, and behavioral needs. The role may also involve parent and youth support as needed. The position is offered at one of three levels, with listed salaries ranging from $41,040 to $51,040 depending on level and qualifications.

Requirements

• For level 1: Bachelor’s degree in a related field from an accredited college or university. Some positions require eligibility for licensure.
• For level 2: Bachelor’s degree in a related field from an accredited college or university and two years of job-related experience, or two years of experience at the lower-level Social Services Program Coordinator 1 (SSP030) or equivalent. Some positions require eligibility for licensure.
• For level 3: Bachelor’s degree in a related field from an accredited college or university and four years of job-related experience, or two years of experience at the lower-level Social Services Program Coordinator 2 (SSP031) or equivalent. Some positions require eligibility for licensure.
• The selected applicant will be subject to a reference check and criminal background check, where applicable.

Nice To Haves

• For level 1, a bachelor’s degree in psychology, sociology, social work, forensic psychology, school counseling, rehabilitation counseling, criminal justice, or a directly related field.
• For levels 2 and 3, a master’s degree in a related field.
• For 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.
• For levels 2 and 3, one year of experience in mental health or substance abuse treatment, juvenile justice, or a residential setting.
• For levels 2 and 3, professional or general counseling experience in a mental health or substance abuse treatment, juvenile justice, or residential setting.
• For levels 2 and 3, knowledge and experience with risk-reduction principles and assessments involving juvenile or adult populations.

Responsibilities

• Support delivery of programs and case management services in assigned facilities, ensuring services align with best practices and departmental policy.
• Facilitate or co-facilitate structured cognitive behavioral and life-skills groups and document program activities.
• Participate in facility-wide PBIS activities, if available.
• Conduct youth assessments for housing plans, risk levels, treatment needs, and risks, needs, and responsivity.
• Complete required youth progress reviews for local and state courts and preparation 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 information about each client's situation, functioning, abilities, needs, and eligibility for services.
• Review collateral and background information to determine appropriate program services.
• Communicate program goals and objectives clearly to youth and conduct regular individual counseling sessions.
• Conduct group sessions according to program guidelines and 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 within established time frames and guidelines.
• Conduct daily rounds on living units to identify and address youth needs.
• Provide evening and weekend coverage for youths’ social, emotional, and behavioral needs.
• Participate in or lead multidisciplinary teams to identify youths’ strengths, resources, symptoms, and behavioral challenges, and develop and monitor service plans.
• Collaborate with agency stakeholders on discharge recommendations.
• Prepare and submit required reports and other documentation.
• Attend continuing education related to trends and professional development in case management services.
• Maintain confidentiality of case records and release information as required by policy.
• Observe departmental confidentiality rules when disseminating or interpreting test results.
• Provide information about case management services to the public, other agencies, vendors, and potential customers.
• Provide parent and youth support as needed.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

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