Juvenile Counselor

Multco; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 52,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Multco's Department of Community Justice in Portland, OR seeks dedicated Juvenile Court Counselors to guide at-risk youth through intake, investigation, supervision, and court processes with evidence-based methods.

You will collaborate with families and community partners, provide probation supervision across risk levels, and deliver proactive support to promote accountability and lasting positive change outside the justice system.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of the juvenile justice system and court process.
• Knowledge of the symptoms of physical and mental disorders, substance abuse and adjustment problems of juvenile offenders.
• Knowledge of the theories, methods and techniques of social casework, counseling, motivational and strength-based interviewing, child psychology and adolescent development.
• Knowledge and experience working with youth and families from culturally diverse communities.
• Appreciation and understanding of family dynamics, gender issues, cultural diversity, gender non-conforming persons and individual differences.
• Familiarity with community resources available to support youth and their families.
• Exceptional collaboration, communication and interpersonal skills and an ability to build relationships with diverse clients and communities and interdisciplinary teams, including legal, law enforcement, and therapeutic partners.
• Highly self-reliant, extremely organized, skilled in time management, good at coordinating, prioritizing and distributing information.
• Ability to prepare well written reports to the Court.
• Extreme flexibility in terms of both work style and hours, and comfortable delivering services in client homes.
• Bilingual Spanis

Responsibilities

• Assist youth and families through the pre- and post-adjudication process in the court system using best practices of intake, investigation and supervision.
• Provide probation supervision for low, medium, and high-risk youth, utilizing evidence-based strategies tailored to each youth's issues, strengths, needs, culture, and environmental influences.
• Be responsible for youth on diversion and probation, ensuring strict compliance with a Judge's court order.
• Monitor multiple dockets, conduct thorough evaluations and make critical recommendations regarding a youth's placement during the court process.
• Assess and make recommendations to the court to address the youth's and family's needs, including for youth found within the jurisdiction or in violation of release or probation conditions.
• Provide evaluation, investigation, counseling, case planning, social services, and adjudication for juveniles and their families.
• Effective records management and documentation of all contacts with youth.
• Actively engage the family to provide proactive support and guidance during and after the termination of probation services.
• Utilize the Juvenile Services Division's prescribed, evidence-based, integrative supervision and case management model.
• Maintain frequent direct contact through office, home, and community visits or other youth community events to implement specialized programs and foster long-term behavioral change.
• Transport youth when needed between detention locations, court or placements.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with community partners, including local law enforcement, to ensure a holistic approach to meeting the needs of juveniles and their families.

Skills

Juvenile justice system

Court process

Social casework

Counseling

Interviews

Cultural diversity

Collaboration

Time management

Reports to Court

Bilingual Spanish

Job description

Pay Range: $38.03 - $46.77 Hourly

Department: Department of Community Justice (DCJ)

Job Type: Regular Represented

Exemption Status: United States of America (Non-Exempt)

Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified): November 01, 2026

The Opportunity

Do you want to help shape the next chapter for justice-involved youth and help them build a foundation for success?
Are you an experienced case manager working with youth and families?
Do you believe that all youth are capable of turning their lives around?
If you answered yes to these questions, this job may be for you!

The Department of Community Justice Juvenile Services Division (JSD) is seeking committed and compassionate Juvenile Court Counselors (JCCs) to join our team! This recruitment may be used to fill both bilingual English/Spanish language required and non-bilingual positions.

Juvenile Court Counselors (JCCs) serve as essential navigators for at-risk youth and their families within the court system, operating under the legal framework of ORS 419A.012. JCCs perform comprehensive and complex case management, evaluation, and supervision for at-risk youth and their families, ensuring community safety, accountability, and skill development.

Central to their work is the Juvenile Services Division's evidence-based case management model, which emphasizes an integrative and holistic approach. JCCs do not simply monitor behavior; they actively foster long-term change by tailoring strategies to a youth's specific strengths, cultural background, and environmental needs. By building strong relationships with community partners and engaging families to provide proactive support, JCCs aim to balance accountability with the skill development necessary for a youth's successful transition out of the justice system.

Responsibilities

• Assist youth and families through the pre- and post-adjudication process in the court system using best practices of intake, investigation and supervision.
• Provide probation supervision for low, medium, and high-risk youth, utilizing evidence-based strategies tailored to each youth's issues, strengths, needs, culture, and environmental influences.
• Be responsible for youth on diversion and probation, ensuring strict compliance with a Judge's court order.
• Monitor multiple dockets, conduct thorough evaluations and make critical recommendations regarding a youth's placement during the court process.
• Assess and make recommendations to the court to address the youth's and family's needs, including for youth found within the jurisdiction or in violation of release or probation conditions.
• Provide evaluation, investigation, counseling, case planning, social services, and adjudication for juveniles and their families.
• Effective records management and documentation of all contacts with youth.
• Actively engage the family to provide proactive support and guidance during and after the termination of probation services.
• Utilize the Juvenile Services Division's prescribed, evidence-based, integrative supervision and case management model.
• Maintain frequent direct contact through office, home, and community visits or other youth community events to implement specialized programs and foster long-term behavioral change.
• Transport youth when needed between detention locations, court or placements.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with community partners, including local law enforcement, to ensure a holistic approach to meeting the needs of juveniles and their families.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Knowledge of the juvenile justice system and court process.
• Knowledge of the symptoms of physical and mental disorders, substance abuse and adjustment problems of juvenile offenders.
• Knowledge of the theories, methods and techniques of social casework, counseling, motivational and strength-based interviewing, child psychology and adolescent development.
• Knowledge and experience working with youth and families from culturally diverse communities.
• Appreciation and understanding of family dynamics, gender issues, cultural diversity, gender non-conforming persons and individual differences.
• Familiarity with community resources available to support youth and their families.
• Exceptional collaboration, communication and interpersonal skills and an ability to build relationships with diverse clients and communities and interdisciplinary teams, including legal, law enforcement, and therapeutic partners.
• Highly self-reliant, extremely organized, skilled in time management, good at coordinating, prioritizing and distributing information.
• Ability to prepare well written reports to the Court.
• Extreme flexibility in terms of both work style and hours, and comfortable delivering services in client homes.
• Bilingual Spanis