Probation Counselor

• Examine referrals to Juvenile Court to consider filing petitions or information under applicable RCW chapters
• Recommend whether continued detention or shelter care is needed
• Monitor youth in the community using GPS tracking and through families, schools, job sites, and other contacts
• Arrange and supervise diversion agreements and ensure requirements are met
• Prepare predisposition studies and attend disposition hearings to answer questions
• Supervise court-ordered dispositions and ensure all requirements are fulfilled
• Gather information to assess risks to community safety, the youth, and flight risk
• Administer behavioral, mental health, and substance abuse counseling
• Evaluate release, detention, or electronically monitored detention options
• Collaborate with co-workers, public defenders, and prosecutors and present recommendations to the Court
• Perform other related duties as assigned

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university
• Experience in casework, parole, probation, counseling, youth and group work, or detention
• Counselor Agency Affiliated Registration at time of hire and maintained throughout employment
• Valid Driver’s License or ability to provide suitable County-approved transportation
• Successful criminal background check
• Successful polygraph and medical testing
• Knowledge of the dependency field and criminal justice system as it relates to youth
• Knowledge of individual and group behavior applicable to probation work with youth
• Knowledge of probation philosophy, methods, and practices as they relate to youth
• Knowledge of counseling, interviewing, and report-writing techniques
• Knowledge of juvenile probation literature, development, and trends
• Basic computer word processing and data entry skills
• Counseling skills with delinquent, dependent, or at-risk youth and their families
• Ability to interpret and apply complex statutes, court regulations, and rules
• Ability to conduct impartial investigations and prepare detailed case histories and reports
• Ability to work with people from varied social, economic, ethnic, and racial backgrounds
• Ability to make effective decisions, work independently, exercise good judgment, and maintain effective working relationships

Demonstrates expertise in juvenile probation practices, including casework, counseling, and risk assessment. Proficient in collaborating with legal professionals and conducting thorough investigations while maintaining effective relationships with diverse populations.

• Bachelor's Degree
• Counselor Agency Affiliated Registration
• Experience in Casework
• Knowledge of Criminal Justice System
• Counseling Skills with At-Risk Youth

• Casework
• Counseling Techniques
• Report-Writing
• Risk Assessment
• GPS Monitoring
• Behavioral Counseling
• Detention Evaluation
• Investigation Skills
• Data Entry
• Interviewing Techniques

• Effective Decision-Making
• Good Judgment
• Independence
• Interpersonal Skills
• Cultural Competence

• Counselor Agency Affiliated Registration
• Valid Driver’s License

• Juvenile Court
• Probation Philosophy
• Community Safety
• Diversion Agreements
• Dependency Field

• GPS Tracking
• Word Processing Software