Youth Development Counselor North Secure Treatment Unit

Role Overview

As a Youth Development Counselor with the Department of Human Services (DHS), Bureau of Juvenile Justice Services (BJJS), you will help shape the lives of youth who are working toward better futures. This position gives you the opportunity to lead, mentor, and support residents through structured programs and daily challenges. At the North Central Secure Treatment Unit, you will work with committed staff who believe in encouragement and accountability.

Choose a career that makes an impact and strengthens young lives.

Watch this video to see how you can make a difference!

This position centers on supervising residents, supporting rehabilitation, and guiding social development through structured programs. It involves maintaining safety, providing direction, and helping youth build important life skills. As a Youth Development Counselor, you will perform the following duties:

• Resident Supervision: Monitor residents closely to maintain safety, prevent harm, and support acceptable behavior
• Behavior Management: Respond to emergencies, address inappropriate actions, and determine the need for intervention
• Program Guidance: Lead residents through daily activities, academic efforts, and skill-building routines
• Case Support: Assist with treatment plans, participate in counseling sessions, and communicate progress with involved parties
• Documentation Duties: Prepare reports, maintain files, and record data for required reviews and assessments
• Family Engagement: Encourage and support involvement from families, coordinating communication and participation as needed

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

• Full-time employment, 40 hours per week
• Work hours staff the North Central Secure Treatment Unit 24-hours per day, 7-days per week, 365-days per year, including holidays and weekends. You will work a 5-day work week with 2 regular days off. Shifts include:
  • 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM
  • 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM
  • 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM
• 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 $64,574.00 (before taxes).
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

• 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);
• 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.

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

• 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…