Youth Detention Counselor

Douglas County•Juvenile Detention Lake Tahoe - Stateline, NV

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Make a difference in the lives of at-risk youth in our community. By providing mentorship and oversight of daily activities, Douglas County's Youth Detention Counselors play an important role in ensuring the health, safety, and welfare of juvenile detainees held in custody in the Stateline, Nevada juvenile detention facility. The right candidate will be an individual with a dedication to helping juveniles and the drive and commitment to helping them toward better outcomes. This posting is intended to fill two vacancies for on-call positions which do not qualify for benefits. Hours are variable and scheduled on an as-needed basis. Primary Objectives Performs basic work maintaining safety and security of the staff, detainees, visitors and juvenile detention facilities; supervising detainees according to policies, procedures and regulations; performs related tasks as apparent or assigned. This is a safety sensitive position and is subject to random and pre-employment drug and alcohol screening.

Requirements

High School diploma/GED; AND one (1) year of experience working with at risk youth OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
Must be a minimum of 21 years of age at date of employment.
Valid Driver's License
JIREH Certification within 90 days of date of employment
First Aid, Bloodborne Pathogen, CPR, and AED certification within 90 days of date of employment
Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) training within 90 days of date of employment
Defensive Tactics Training appropriate to juvenile detention environment within 90 days of date of employment

Responsibilities

Works as a mentor with detainees; oversees detainees’ movements and ensuring compliance with legal requirements; maintains order, observes individual and group dynamics to identify potentially high-risk youth; assesses behavior; determines rule infractions and executes appropriate course of action; documents details of incidents and methods used to resolve issues.
Works a rotating schedule that may include day, swing, and graveyard shifts, weekends, and holidays, as assigned, to ensure 24-hour coverage and continuous operation of the facility. Adjusts to changes in shift assignments based on operational needs.
Prepares written reports and documentation to record resident’s progress and incidents observed.
Cleans and maintains facility as required.
Interacts with detainees to determine unusual tendencies or behavioral traits and changes in behavior; facilitates small group counseling sessions; may conduct group sessions based upon cultural diversity, life skills, character development, problem solving and decision-making skills.
Oversees activities; physical fitness, counseling, phone calls, hygiene, meals, snacks, visits; informs supervisor of unusual events or operational needs.
Ensures compliance with regulatory requirements and department policies and procedures.
Administers prescription and non-prescription medication; documents administration of medications; provides first aid as required; observes, reports and documents all symptoms of illness/disease, and notifies emergency services as needed.
Processes youths arriving and departing the detention facility; issues clothing, bedding and personal items; inventories and inspects clothing and property brought by youth and secures for return upon release; provides orientation for detainees; answers questions in regard to procedures, daily routine and rules of conduct.
Performs inspections in all detention facilities; ensures that all areas are safe, secure, sanitary and free of contraband; inventories and maintains accountability for keys, equipment, tools and supplies; accounts for detainees under direct supervision; may perform physical searches.
Restrains juveniles, as needed, using approved physical and mechanical restraint methods.
Uses County vehicle to perform various tasks related to job duties.
Represents the County with dignity, integrity, and a spirit of cooperation in all relationships with staff and the public.
Contributes effectively to the accomplishment of team or work unit goals, objectives, and activities.