Youth Development Counselor - North Secure Treatment Unit

THE POSITION

Make a meaningful difference as a Youth Development Counselor with the Department of Human Services (DHS), Bureau of Juvenile Justice Services (BJJS) where your dedication supports treatment centered on safety, growth, and opportunity for young people. At the North Central Secure Treatment Unit, you guide individuals as they learn new skills, strengthen their behavior, and work toward more hopeful futures. This position allows you to motivate youth who benefit from steady leadership and clear expectations.

Your focused efforts help each young person move forward with stability, confidence, and a renewed sense of direction.

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

This role focuses on guiding youth through daily activities and providing structure, safety, and support in the youth development center/youth forestry camp (YDC/YFC) system. As a Youth Development Counselor, you will perform the following duties:

• Safety Monitoring:
  Maintain constant awareness of residents to prevent harmful behaviors and ensure a secure environment
• Behavior Guidance:
  Model pro-social values and teach appropriate behaviors through daily interactions
• Case Support:
  Assist with developing and updating individualized treatment plans and documenting resident progress
• Resident Supervision:
  Escort and oversee residents during activities, appointments, and visits on and off grounds
• Crisis Response:
  Respond to emergencies by applying appropriate interventions and determining necessary actions
• Documentation Duties:
  Prepare reports and maintain required records in accordance with agency guidelines

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

• Full‑time employment, 40 hours per week
• Work weeks are 5 days on and 2 days off. Work hours include 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM, and 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM.
• Free parking
• 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); 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.

• 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 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.

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. 7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). and click on Veterans.