Probation Counselor 1 (OPEN & PROMOTIONAL)

Spokane County

7d•$56,199 - $78,293•Onsite

About The Position

The Spokane County Juvenile Court is seeking applicants for the Probation Counselor 1 position. This role involves investigative, counseling, and casework duties focused on the supervision and care of youth under eighteen. Initially, employees receive on-the-job training and work under the guidance of a higher-level Probation Counselor or Supervisor. Responsibilities include developing and presenting case histories, making recommendations to the Court regarding dependent, delinquent, or at-risk youth, and overseeing and counseling youth on probation or in confinement. As experience is gained, the work is performed with considerable professional independence.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university.
Experience in work such as casework, parole, probation, counseling, youth and group work, or detention.
Counselor Agency Affiliated Registration at time of hire and maintained throughout employment with Juvenile Court.
Must possess and maintain a valid Driver’s License or have the ability to provide suitable transportation which is approved by the County.
Applicants selected must successfully pass a criminal background check.
Knowledge of the dependency field and criminal justice system as it relates to youth.
Knowledge of individual and group behavior applicable to the probation field as it relates to youth.
Knowledge of probation philosophy, methods and practices as it relates to youth.
Knowledge of counseling and interviewing techniques and methods.
Knowledge of report writing techniques.
Knowledge of the literature, development, and trends in the field of juvenile probation.
Skilled in basic computer word processing and data entry.
Skilled in counseling delinquent, dependent or at-risk youth and their families.
Skilled in understanding, interpreting and applying complex statutes, court regulations and rules.
Skilled in expressing ideas and recommendations effectively, both orally and in writing.
Ability to conduct thorough investigations in an impartial manner and to prepare detailed case histories and reports.
Ability to effectively work and communicate with individuals and groups from a variety of social, economic, ethnic and racial backgrounds.
Ability to convey a professional image via attire and demeanor.
Ability to consistently make effective decisions.
Ability to work independently and exercise good judgment.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with staff, community and social agencies, and the general public.

Nice To Haves

First consideration will be given to Spokane County employees in a position covered by the 492-J Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) submitting applications the first 5 working days of the recruitment.

Responsibilities

Receives and examines referrals to the Juvenile Court for the purpose of considering the filing of a petition or information pursuant to RCW chapter 13.32A, 13.34, or 13.40.070.
Makes recommendations to the court regarding the need for continued detention or shelter care of a child.
Monitors youth in the community directly with GPS tracking and indirectly through families, schools, job sites, etc.
Arranges and supervises diversion agreements as provided in RCW 13.40.080 and ensures the requirements of such agreements are met.
Prepares predisposition studies as required in RCW 13.34.120 and 13.40.130 and is present at the disposition hearing to respond to questions regarding the predisposition study.
Supervises court orders of dispositions to ensure all requirements of the order are met.
Gathers information to assess a youth's risk to community safety, themselves, and their possibility of being a flight risk.
Administers behavioral, mental health, and substance abuse counseling.
Evaluates options for release, detention, or detention with electronic monitoring authorized, and represents probation in delivering recommendations to the Court, after collaborating with co-workers, public defenders, and prosecutors.
Performs other related duties as required/assigned.