Youth Development Counselor - Southeast Youth Development Center

THE POSITION

Are you driven by a passion for helping others and creating meaningful change that fosters personal growth and lasting success? The Department of Human Services, Bureau of Juvenile Justice Services (BJJS), is seeking dedicated Youth Development Counselors to work with court-adjudicated youth at the Southeast Youth Development Center. In this role, you will support positive behavioral change and guide youth as they work toward rebuilding their futures.

You will play a vital part in their rehabilitation and social development by encouraging responsible decision-making and positive attitudes. We are looking for committed counselors who are eager to make a meaningful impact and build strong, supportive relationships with both youth and colleagues. Apply today and begin a fulfilling career that truly matters! Watch this video to see how you can make a difference!

As a Youth Development Counselor, you will actively engage with court-adjudicated youth requiring guidance, instruction, treatment, and specialized services in a secure or restricted setting. You will have an opportunity to provide guidance in social and emotional growth by role-modeling values and ideals that elicit a genuine desire in court-adjudicated youth to change behaviors. Comprehensive training will be provided. In your day-to-day job duties, you will develop, implement, and monitor individual treatment program plans to include individual, group, and family counseling sessions.

You will assess and counsel youth about their thought processes, actions, and personal problems to provide insight into responsible behaviors and attitudes. You will address crisis situations to maintain order by verbally and physically intervening with disruptive, emotionally improper, and suicidal youth. Through the utilization of appropriate physical restraint techniques, you will prevent escapes, control aggressiveness, and maintain a safe, secure, or restricted environment.

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 40-hour work week
• Work hours will be determined through shift work in a 24‑hour a day, 7‑day a week operation, including weekends and holidays. Shifts are 8 hours with no duty‑free lunch. Shifts consist of 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM, and 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM. You will work a five‑day work week with two regular days off. Your schedule may change based on operational needs.
• Travel and overtime:
  As needed
• Telework:
  You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary:
  Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $63,301.00 (before taxes).
• You must be willing to accept employment at Southeast Youth Development Center and commute to this location in Montgomery County.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Four years of experience as a Juvenile Justice Specialist (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• Three years of experience as a Juvenile Justice Specialist Supervisor (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• One year of experience in the care, custody, supervision, activities, leadership, or personal guidance of court‑adjudicated or socially maladjusted individuals in an organized program, and a bachelor's degree in the behavioral sciences, special education, juvenile justice, or criminal justice; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes one year of experience in the care, custody, supervision, activities, leadership, or personal guidance of court‑adjudicated or socially maladjusted individuals in an organized program.

Other Requirements:

• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• A conditional offer of employment will require a medical examination and a drug screening.
• This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law.
  • Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed…