Juvenile Correctional Counselor I - Regular and Extra-Help
Working as a Juvenile Correctional Counselor I (JCC I) with the County of Sonoma offers an expansive opportunity for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a collaborative work environment that provides continuous training and education, and the satisfaction of knowing that you are working to better our communities. You can also look forward to excellent benefits*, including:
- Eligibility for a 5% salary increase after 1040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a 5% salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
- Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
- Significant portion of health care premiums paid by the County and access to several health plan options
- Opportunities for additional premium pay depending on assignment, generally 5% for each assignment for a maximum of 10%
- May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) of Paid Parental Leave after 12 months of County employment
- With experience and good work performance, advancement to Juvenile Correctional Counselor II ($30.25-$36.77/hour)
The Role of a JCC I
This position offers a challenging and rewarding start to a career helping our community's youth. In addition to learning the fundamental principles of the juvenile justice system, JCCs have the unique opportunity to use their skills to directly and positively influence the course of a young person's life. As a JCC I, you will perform a wide variety of duties related to the care, guidance, and supervision of juvenile offenders. Responsibilities include:
- Communicating directly with detained youths, on an individual or group basis
- Facilitating Cognitive Behavioral Interventions and using Motivational Interviewing and other evidence-based practices when interacting with juvenile offenders
- Maintaining on-going security checks, and overseeing and directing the activities of youth offenders detained in Probation facilities
- Performing minor clerical duties, including data entry into justice system databases
- Transporting youth to and from various locations
- Maintaining the cleanliness and order of the facility
Candidates who possess experience with and knowledge of evidence-based programming practices/concepts as well as experience working with challenging populations (i.e. youth/adults with mental health conditions, youth/adult offenders, trouble youth) are highly desirable.
To be considered for this position, applicants must be willing to work all shifts, including days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. Juvenile Correctional Counselors are Peace Officers as defined by Penal Code Section 830.5, and must successfully complete the Board of State and Community Corrections Juvenile Correctional Counselor Core Course within one year of appointment. Incumbents must also successfully complete Penal Code 832 training within one year of appointment.
EXTRA-HELP EMPLOYMENT
Extra-help employees relieve or augment permanent staff. Intermittent, extra-help employees are not in the classified civil service and do not have property rights to permanently allocated positions. In addition, they do not receive most regular employee benefits such as: long-term disability insurance coverage; accrual of vacation; participation in the County retirement program; or eligibility to take promotional examinations. Intermittent, extra-help employees are limited in their employment to a maximum of 1,380 hours within any twelve month consecutive period. Extra-help employees who meet the eligibility requirements (generally worked 11 consecutive pay periods with a minimum of 440 hours and are scheduled at least 40 hours per pay period) may qualify for a County contribution toward medical coverage.
*Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. This recruitment is being conducted to fill multiple full-time and intermittent, Extra-Help Juvenile Correctional Counselor I positions in the Probation Department. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or Extra-Help positions as they occur during the active status of the list.
The tentative date for the written examination is:
Thursday, November 4, 2021
Minimum Qualifications
Education and Experience: Any combination of education, training and experience which would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities. Normally, this would include completion of twelve semester units at an accredited college in criminology, administration of justice, child development, sociology, behavioral and social psychology, social casework, social welfare, counseling and guidance, child psychology or a closely related field.
AND
Six months experience as a group or youth counselor or other experience related to counseling or case management of troubled youth.
Additional Requirements: In accordance with California Government Code, Section
1029 - 1031, and the California Corrections Standards Authority, Title 15, Section 131, Minimum Standards for Selection, each employee shall meet the following minimum standards: United States citizenship or status as a permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship (if a permanent resident alien has not obtained citizenship within three years after application for employment or is denied citizenship, he/she will be disqualified for peace officer status); have no prior felony conviction nor be under current formal probation supervision; and achieved a passing score on the California Corrections Standards Authority Juvenile Correctional Counselor written exam, or equivalent prior to appointment.
Candidates certified for employment must be willing to undergo and successfully complete an in-depth background investigation, including a psychological evaluation, finger printing, criminal history check, a medical examination, including physical agilities testing.
License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Ability to: effectively communicate orally and in writing, listen actively. Read and comprehend instructions and standards, apply them to a variety of situations; make and record detailed observations. Write descriptive narratives, including incident or detention observation reports and exercise good judgment and adopt effective courses of action in emergency situations. Relate to a wide variety of individuals from varied socio-economic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and experiences. Establish and maintain appropriate relationships with delinquent youths; establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, supervisors, health and social service providers, family, and law enforcement agencies, other County Departments.
Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying
- Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
- You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
- You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
- Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.