Juvenile Correctional Counselor I
The Probation Department invites you to view a short video featuring staff sharing about how the Department changes lives.
Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:
- An annual Staff Development/Wellness Benefit allowance of up to $850 and ongoing education/training opportunities
- County paid 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
- Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
- Eligibility for a salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
- County contribution to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
- Retirement fully integrated with Social Security
- May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment
- Opportunity to promote: With time and good performance, entry-level JCCs have the opportunity to be considered for advancement to becoming a JCC II (salary up to $78,830/year).
Joining the Probation Department
The Juvenile Correctional Counselor (JCC) I position offers a challenging and rewarding start to a career helping our community's youth. In addition to learning the fundamental principles of the juvenile justice system, JCCs have the unique opportunity to use their skills to directly and positively influence the course of a young person's life. As a JCC I, you will perform a wide variety of duties related to the care, guidance, and supervision of juveniles residing at Juvenile Hall. Responsibilities include:
- Communicating directly with detained youths on an individual or group basis and mentor, counsel, and apply crisis intervention skills
- Facilitating Cognitive Behavioral Interventions and using Motivational Interviewing and other evidence-based practices when interacting with juvenile offenders
- Maintaining on-going security checks and overseeing and directing the activities of youth offenders detained in Probation facilities
- Performing minor clerical duties, including data entry into justice system databases
- Transporting youth to and from various locations
Ideal candidates will possess experience providing services and support to individuals with diverse backgrounds, working with challenging populations (i.e. youth/adults with mental health conditions, youth/adult offenders, troubled youth), and/or experience applying evidence-based programming practices/concepts.
To be considered for these positions, applicants must be willing to work all shifts, including days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. Juvenile Correctional Counselors are Peace Officers as defined by Penal Code Section 830.5, and must successfully complete the Board of State and Community Corrections Juvenile Correctional Counselor Core Course within one year of appointment. Incumbents must also successfully complete Penal Code 832 training within one year of appointment.
This recruitment is being conducted to fill multiple, full-time Juvenile Correctional Counselor I positions in the Probation Department. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or Extra-Help positions as they occur during the active status of the list.
*Salary is negotiable. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can found in the Sonoma County Law Enforcement Association's Memorandum Of Understanding (SCLEA MOU) and our Employee Benefits Directory.
Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience: Any combination of education, training and experience which would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities. Normally, this would include completion of twelve semester units at an accredited college in criminology, administration of justice, child development, sociology, behavioral and social psychology, social casework, social welfare, counseling and guidance, child psychology or a closely related field.
AND
Six months experience as a group or youth counselor or other experience related to counseling or case management of troubled youth.
Additional Requirements: In accordance with California Government Code, Section
1029 - 1031, and the California Corrections Standards Authority, Title 15, Section 131, Minimum Standards for Selection, each employee shall meet the following minimum standards: United States citizenship or status as a permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship (if a permanent resident alien has not obtained citizenship within three years after application for employment or is denied citizenship, he/she will be disqualified for peace officer status); have no prior felony conviction nor be under current formal probation supervision; and achieved a passing score on the California Corrections Standards Authority Juvenile Correctional Counselor written exam, or equivalent prior to appointment.
Candidates certified for employment must be willing to undergo and successfully complete an in-depth background investigation, including a psychological evaluation, finger printing, criminal history check, a medical examination, including physical agilities testing.
License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Ability to: effectively communicate orally and in writing, listen actively. Read and comprehend instructions and standards, apply them to a variety of situations; make and record detailed observations. Write descriptive narratives, including incident or detention observation reports and exercise good judgment and adopt effective courses of action in emergency situations. Relate to a wide variety of individuals from varied socio-economic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and experiences. Establish and maintain appropriate relationships with delinquent youths; establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, supervisors, health and social service providers, family, and law enforcement agencies, other County Departments.
Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying
- Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
- You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
- You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
- Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.
