JUVENILE HALL COUNSELOR, multiple positions

City and County of San Francisco•San Francisco, CA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

THIS IS A CITYWIDE EXAM San Francisco is a vibrant and dynamic city, on the forefront of economic growth & innovation, urban development, arts & entertainment, as well as social issues & change. This rich tapestry of culture and ideas is sustained by our City's commitment to heighten the quality of life for the diverse population of San Franciscans and residents of the greater Bay Area. Our employees play an important role not only in making our City what it is today, but also in shaping the future of San Francisco. Applications Open: June 16, 2026 Applications Close: no earlier than 11:59pm on Sunday, July 5, 2026 Salary range for 8562/8320 position: $84,162 to $102,284 (new rates effective July 1, 2026) Recruitment ID: CBT-8562/8320-165845 Are you passionate about Juvenile Justice, Public Safety, and the Community we serve? Are you a dedicated professional who wants to maximize their impact in the lives of some of San Francisco’s most marginalized youth and young adults? If so, we encourage you to take advantage of this unique opportunity to join a team that is devoted to re-imagining Juvenile Justice, committed to racial equity, and focused on ensuring long-term public safety through the development, enrichment, and accountability of young people we serve throughout San Francisco. Click here to read more about the San Francisco Juvenile Probation Department (JPD) . The San Francisco Juvenile Probation Department’s mission is to serve the needs of youth, young adults and families who are brought to our attention with care and compassion. We engage fiscally sound and culturally competent strategies that promote the best interests of the youth, and provide victims with opportunities for restoration. Our equity-centered goals are to: Reimagine how the City addresses juvenile delinquency; Advance a Whole Family Engagement strategy that places racial equity at its center to ensure that all youth have equal access to successful outcomes; and Bolster equitable leadership development opportunities for all staff throughout the Department. Juvenile Hall Counselors are peace officers as defined by section 830.5 (b) of the Penal Code. Under general supervision, they are responsible for the care, custody, safety and welfare of young people detained at Juvenile Hall.

Requirements

Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
Possession of a valid California driver's license.
Possession of a valid Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate.
Experience as a counselor in a juvenile detention facility or experience involving the organization, detention, or suspension of youth groups in a recreational or correctional program may substitute for up to two (2) years of the education requirement on a year-for-year basis. One (1) year equals thirty (30) semester units or forty-five (45) quarter units.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of: Crisis Intervention Interviewing Individual and group counseling principles and techniques De-escalation strategies
Ability to: Organize and supervise group activities Ability to handle stressful situations Enforce rules Accurately observe behavior Apply appropriate "use of force" in self-defense or restraint procedures Remain alert to potential problems Handle emergency situations Establish and maintain effective relationships with others Communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively in individual and group situations

Responsibilities

Supervise and assess behavior of detained youth in an assigned living unit; responsible for the daily care of detained youth, directs and guides youth through daily schedules, including wake-up, meals, hygiene, unit cleanup, and scheduled movement throughout the facility; Maintains consistent close and active supervision of youth and young adults to prevent incidents and ensure the safety of both youth and staff. Implement appropriate behavior‑management strategies to reinforce positive youth development and consult with supervisors as needed.
Maintains routine and emergency headcounts of all detained youth assigned to the unit and conducts required state‑mandated security checks of rooms. Monitors visiting sessions to ensure the safety and security of youth and staff. Administers emergency first aid until medical personnel arrive and responds to critical incidents that may require the use of approved physical intervention techniques to restrain hostile detained youth and maintain facility safety. Performs pat searches and room inspections to identify and confiscate contraband.
Completes incident reports, behavior reports, individual case reports, and other ancillary departmental forms and reports; maintains contemporaneous notes in unit logbook to ensure adherence to legal requirements and behavioral tracking. Maintains and updates electronic databases and case management systems.
Conducts ongoing individual and group counseling sessions with trauma-informed techniques; listens and responds to questions, concerns, complaints, and requests; Assists in working to problem-solve to assist young people. Collaborates with Deputy Probation Officers to track a youth’s behavioral progress and rehabilitation goals.
Directs leisure time activities; teaches and encourages good sportsmanship.
Transports residents to and from various locations; directs and controls residents’ movement to ensure the safety and security of the residents.
Facilitates the admittance and release process of detained youth.
Confers with departmental personnel and representatives of outside agencies.