Juvenile Justice Counselor 1/2 (PCN 063802)

State of Alaska•Fairbanks, AK

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Division of Juvenile Justice is hiring a Juvenile Justice Counselor 1 or 2 at the Fairbanks Youth Facility Detention Unit. The level will be determined by the applicant’s qualifications and experience. The Detention Unit is a short-term, coed program and the initial contact point for youth entering a secure facility. It serves youth detained while awaiting court decisions, bail processing, or placement. Some residents have mild to severe mental health needs in addition to justice-system challenges. As a member of the Fairbanks Youth Facility team, the counselor directly supervises juvenile offenders with varied emotional and behavioral needs in secure confinement. The role involves understanding legal aspects of juvenile residents and using behavioral-health treatment and public-safety techniques, including verbal and physical de-escalation, counseling, case-management documentation, and court-report writing. Counselors maintain order, facilitate group movements, transport juveniles into the community, complete detention admissions, identify and document concerning behaviors, participate in skill-building sessions, and support behavior regulation and correction. The position supports the Division’s mission to hold juvenile offenders accountable, promote the safety and restoration of victims and communities, and help offenders and their families develop skills to prevent crime. Counselors work with youth on individual needs while maintaining the security and safety of residents, visitors, staff, and facility buildings. The team emphasizes safety, responsiveness, professional relationships, dedication, respect, and a positive environment. The position is based at the Fairbanks Youth Facility, 1502 Wilbur Street, Fairbanks, Alaska. Staff work across a 24-hour unit on various eight-hour shifts, potentially on both Treatment and Detention Units depending on facility needs. The quarterly schedule includes weekends and holidays, with occasional overtime. Duties include escorts for community work service and other outings, court, medical appointments, and releases. Air travel may be required at times.

Requirements

Must be 20 years of age or older.
Juvenile Justice Counselor 1: High school diploma or GED.
Juvenile Justice Counselor 2: High school diploma or GED, plus one of the following: six months of paid or volunteer experience teaching or coaching group activities for youth; six months as a Juvenile Justice Counselor 1 with the State of Alaska and demonstrated achievement of department-approved performance standards; or six months administering, advising on, performing, or supervising corrections, law enforcement, parole, probation, residential-treatment casework, or social casework.
For Counselor 2 experience requirements, completed coursework from an accredited college may substitute at a rate of three semester hours or four quarter hours per month of work experience; military experience may substitute month for month.
A valid driver’s license is required at the time of appointment.
Successful candidates must undergo a background investigation, criminal record check, and medical examination to determine whether the essential duties can be safely performed.
The successful candidate must pass a comprehensive background investigation, including state and FBI fingerprint-based background checks.
Applicants must be Alaska residents.
At interview, applicants must submit three professional references with phone numbers and, if available, two performance evaluations from previous employers. Transcripts must be submitted if being used to meet minimum qualifications.
At appointment, the selected candidate must submit a copy of a current driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

Conscientiousness: demonstrates effort and commitment, and responsible behavior.
Integrity and honesty: maintains organizational integrity, demonstrates ethical conduct, understands the impact of violations, and is trustworthy.
Interpersonal skills: demonstrates empathy, courtesy, tact, and respect; builds effective relationships; can work with difficult, hostile, or distressed individuals; relates to people from varied backgrounds; and is sensitive to individual and cultural differences.
Stress tolerance: remains calm and effective in high-stress, hostile, emergency, or dangerous situations.

Responsibilities

Directly supervise juvenile offenders with diverse emotional and behavioral needs in secure confinement.
Understand and address the legal aspects of juvenile residents.
Use behavioral-health treatment and public-safety techniques, including verbal and physical de-escalation and counseling skills.
Complete case-management documentation and write court reports.
Maintain order and facilitate group movements.
Transport juveniles into the community and complete detention admissions.
Recognize and document concerning behaviors.
Participate in skill-building sessions and provide consistent support for behavior regulation and correction.
Work with youth on their individual needs while maintaining the security and safety of residents, visitors, staff, and facility buildings.
Escort juveniles for community work service and other outings, court, medical appointments, and releases.