Job Description

Position: Per Diem - Part Time - Dependent Child Shelter

Nature of Work

• This position is a professional counseling position at the Edmund L. Thomas Adolescent Center within the Erie County Office of Children and Youth and reports directly to the Program Director. Juvenile Counselors accept work assignments in the Detention Center Program or the Dependent Shelter Program. The primary responsibility of the Juvenile Counselor is to provide for the care, supervision and security of the adolescents and children residing at the Center.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Ability to obtain certification in Safe Crisis Management (SCM), a mandated training aimed at equipping staff with knowledge and skills that will allow them to prevent, de-escalate and safely intervene (physically and non-physically) with individuals who demonstrate extremely disruptive behaviors that may become or are harmful to themselves or others.
• Conducts interviews to gather information essential to the assessment and intervention for each individual child. Includes contacts with the child, family members and collateral contacts such as the Children and Youth caseworkers, Juvenile Probation officers, mental health professionals and various other clinicians pertinent to case management.
• Knowledge of Pennsylvania Department of Human Services 3800 regulations. Ensure that programmatic standards meet or exceed these expectations.
• Provides counseling to residents and their families to aid them in achieving a more satisfactory adjustment to their program situations. Monitors family visitation.
• Monitors special needs of the residents. Assesses physical stamina, strength and coordination of the child. Monitors for problems common and/or unique to disturbed adolescents and children, such as insomnia, enuresis, encopresis, anorexia, bulimia, etc. Arrange for emergency medical care when necessary. May include direct provision of CPR and First Aid as indicated.
• Participates in daily outdoor and indoor physical fitness programs for the residents. Conducts individual and group counseling. Prepares group discussion topics and procedures. Maintains positive community involvement and relationships.
• Applies appropriate disciplinary action when necessary. Reviews expectations with residents. Clarifies consequences of inappropriate behavior. Encourages development of more pro-social behavior through the use of shaping techniques and established behavior modification programs.
• Prepares residents for appointments such as Court hearings and psychological testing. Clarifies expectations. Assures that child is available for release.
• Supervises all activities of the residents. Monitors youth separated from the group. Assures their safety and security as well as their emotional well-being. Monitors all residents during the night hours.
• Organizes and assigns residents chores. Supervises their completion.
• Prepares daily observation reports. Records child’s adjustment to each aspect of the program. Records child’s interaction with peers, staff and visitors. Records any specific emotional/social problems noted during the shift.
• Maintains confidentiality of records. Exercises appropriate professional discretion in sharing information orally regarding clients.
• Participates in meetings for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment planning.
• Attends relevant in-service and other training. Reads available books, journals and other literature regarding children and adolescent development, emotional disorders and treatment.
• Works closely with other social agencies, Courts and community resources. Attends staff meetings.
• Performs other related duties as required.
• PLEASE NOTE:
• This is part-time, intermittent (non-permanent) work with no benefits.
• Employees serving in this capacity receive calls for first shift, second shift, third shift, evening, weekend and holiday hours.
• By indicating your availability for this position, you are indicating that you are available to work such hours if called.

Minimum Requirements

• Must have a Valid Driver's License
• Minimum of 1 year Experience Working with Adolescents and a Bachelor's Degree in the Behavioral Sciences or an Associate's Degree or 60 College Credits

Conditions Of Employment

• All new hires in the Department of Human Services are required to provide and are subject to Pennsylvania Criminal and Child Abuse Clearances as well as an FBI fingerprint clearance.
• Applicants must possess agility and basic skills required to successfully pass SCM certification requirements.
• Applicants are required to submit an Authorization for Release of Information for Purposes of Driving History Check.