Juvenile Counselor 1

Clackamas County; Oregon City (OR); On-site; USD 69,000 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

Clackamas County Juvenile Department seeks a Juvenile Counselor 1 to assess youth needs, develop release plans, and supervise a caseload referred for criminal charges. The role emphasizes communication with youth and families, collaboration, and ethical practice within a 24-hour intake context.

Minimum qualifications include relevant youth experience and strong interpersonal skills; preferred candidates hold a related Bachelor's degree and trauma-informed, family-engagement practices.

Qualifications

• Minimum 1 year of youth experience in juvenile justice, social work, education, or related field.
• At least 1 year of experience with at-risk youth.
• Understanding of adolescent behavior and development.
• Experience prioritizing tasks and managing workload with minimal supervision.
• Experience working with diverse populations and building rapport.

Responsibilities

• Initiate contact with youth and families; conduct interviews and risk assessments.
• Receive custody from police and develop release plans; manage caseloads.
• Provide skill-building and support youth to achieve personal goals.
• Assess health, substance use, mental health; refer to community resources.
• Prepare intake reports and coordinate secure transport to court or custody facilities.
• Explain procedures to youth/families; coordinate with ODHS on crossover cases.
• Serve on committees and present information to community groups.

Skills

Youth experience

At-risk youth

Adolescent development

Workload management

Diversity & inclusion

Verbal & written communication

Relationship building

Independent decision making

Feedback & growth

Cultural awareness

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice/Sociology/Psychology

Job description

This Job Posting closes at 11:59p.m. (Pacific Time) on Wednesday, September 9th, 2026.

Please Note: The application deadline may be extended to expand the pool of qualified candidates. Any recruitment timeline changes will be communicated to all who have initiated an application process or have submitted an application.

COMPENSATION

Annual Pay Range: $69,125.30 - $87,367.09

Hourly Pay Range: $33.233318 - $42.003410

Salary offers will be made within the posted pay range and will be based on candidate's experience (paid or unpaid) that is directly relevant to the position.

JOB DETAILS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Do you believe that all youth are capable of success?
• Do you want to make a difference in the lives of youth and their families?
• Do you have creative problem-solving skills?
• Do you enjoy working in a team environment?
• Do you have exceptional communication and organizational skills?
• Do you have a personal commitment to putting ethics into action by holding yourself to the highest standards of professionalism, honesty, and objectivity?

If you answered "yes" to the questions above, we want you to join our team at the County's 24-hour Juvenile Intake and Assessment Center as a Juvenile Counselor 1. If selected for this position, you will be responsible for accepting custody of youth from police officials, assessing youth's needs and developing release plans. In this role, you will supervise a caseload of youth who are referred to the Juvenile Department for criminal charges. One of the key components of this position is communicating with youth and their families.

We are committed to being an exemplary organization with best practices in providing equitable juvenile justice, family support, intervention, and reformation services to youth, so they can repair harm to victims, experience positive change, and contribute to a safe, healthy and secure community. To that end, we are searching for an individual, who is motivated to be a positive and collaborative contributor, demonstrating strong interpersonal, communication and organizational skills that will allow us to improve, develop and enhance our operations.

Required Minimum Qualifications/ Transferrable Skills:

• A minimum of one (1) year of relevant experience working with youth within juvenile justice, social work, education field or another related field
• At least one (1) year of experience working with at-risk youth
• Working knowledge and understanding of adolescent behavior and development
• Experience setting priorities and managing workload with minimal supervision
• Experience working with and having a positive rapport with individuals from diverse backgrounds
• Strong interpersonal skills that translate into all of the following:
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills, including ability to effectively communicate with emotional or upset individuals
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and partnerships both internally and externally
  • Ability to build rapport, engage youth and families, provide resources and positive connections to the community and pro-social activities
  • Independent decision making and problem-solving skills
  • Ability to seek and apply feedback from supervisors as part of ongoing commitment to professional growth
  • Be detail-oriented, respectful of the needs and interests of others, assertive, accessible and approachable, and self-directed (able to work without close supervision)
  • Possess cultural awareness and the ability to work well with diverse groups of individuals
  • Ability to handle a wide range of situations and circumstances effectively, positively and professionally

Preferred Special Qualifications/ Transferrable Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Sociology, Psychology or a related field
• Experience working with juvenile offenders in the juvenile justice system
• Case management experience working with youth
• Experience applying trauma informed practices with youth and families
• Experience applying the principles of Family Engagement while working with youth and their families
• Experience using screening and assessment tools related to mental health status and substance use
• Experience preparing for and presenting cases in court
• Experience partnering with other agencies to assist youth and families in being successful

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• Must pass post-offer, pre-employment drug test.
• Must pass a criminal history check which may include national or state fingerprint records check
• Driving is required for County business on a regular basis or to accomplish work. Incumbents must possess a valid driver's license, and possess and maintain an acceptable driving record throughout the course of employment.

Other Requirements:

• Incumbent may be required to participate in 24 hours/day emergency program services.

TYPICAL TASKS

Typical tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Initiates contact with youth referred to the department via police reports; interviews youth and their families; completes risk assessments, prepares formal accountability agreements, cases plans and maintains accurate records/appropriate documentation.
• Takes custody of youth brought in by law enforcement to the intake and assessment center; gathers and compiles information from youth, parent and other agencies; develops a comprehensive release plan for the youth brought into the JIAC focusing on community safety and immediate placement needs for youth and general comprehensive plans for youth on caseload.
• Provide skill building to youth and families; works with and support youth to establish and achieve personal goals by leveraging youth strengths; implements and revises case plans as necessary; refers youth to appropriate agency resources and services.
• Assesses youth's physical health, substance abuse history, mental health status and history of violence; utilizes a variety of screening tools, including screening for human trafficking risk factors; makes referrals to appropriate community agencies.
• Prepares intake report to summarize information compiled and outline plan for youth; fingerprints and photographs of youth based on statute. Provides secure transports of youth to detention, court, hospitals and various appointments.
• Provides orientation and explains appropriate juvenile department procedures to youth and families; coordinates with ODHS on crossover youth cases, police attorneys and agencies; secures legal counsel if necessary; prepares relevant legal and court documents; presents occasionally in court.
• Works collaboratively with victim services coordinator to determine alleged restitution, if any, to be paid by youth; document statements and/or requests from victims.
• Serves and participates on committees or workgroups; speaks and gives presentations to community groups on juvenile department programs and activities.

WORK SCHEDULE

This position is included in the County’s alternate workweek program, working 40 hours during a workweek. Theschedule for this position rotates every six (6) months between the day shift and the night shift.

Below are the examples of possible shift schedules:

Days:

• Sunday - Wednesday
• Wednesday - Saturday

Times:

• 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM
• 5:00 PM - 3:00 AM

Specific hours of work will be discussed with the candidate selected for this position at the time an offer of employment is extended.

This position is designated as on-site/in-person. It is expected that the selected candidate will perform duties at the specified on-site work location.

Positions within the Juvenile Intake & Assessment Center (JIAC) are designated as "essential", which means employees MUST report to work or remain at work as scheduled or as otherwise specifically directed during inclement weather, disaster, or other natural or human-caused incidents.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Occasional interactions with juveniles may involve physical contact and/or exposure to hostile attitudes.

Participation in Defensive Tactics training and its use involving controlled defensive and offensive body movements including standing, twisting, bending, balancing, pushing, swinging, blocking, parrying and striking, as well as de-escalation training.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

The Juvenile Department provides prevention and early intervention services to at-risk youth, as well as case management for youth who have been referred to the department for delinquent behavior.

Its three-fold purpose is to hold juveniles accountable, protect public safety and provide intervention services directed at reforming the youth’s conduct.

The Juvenile Department’s programs are designed to have the youth restore the losses that they have imposed upon victims and the community at large. We accomplish this by using a strengths based case management approach and by providing opportunities to positively connect the youth in the community.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Clackamas County Juvenile Department is to provide equitable juvenile justice, family support, intervention, and reformation services to youth so they can repair harm to victims, experience positive change, and contribute to a safe, healthy and secure community.

Values

Integrity, Collaboration, and Excellence

Guiding Principles

• To honor diversity and to treat all persons with respect.
• To involve youth, families, and community partners in creating an effective and responsive department.
• To strive to be innovative leaders in the field of juvenile justice.
• To incorporate evidence based practices in our work with youth and families.
• To honor victim’s rights and interests throughout all phases of the justice system;
• To invite victim’s participation in determining how to meaningfully address harm.
• To provide opportunities for youth to repair harm to victims and communities.
• To engage youth to have positive involvement in their communities.
• To foster open communication and team work in a supportive work environment.
• To demonstrate ethical and honest behavior in all that we do.

Learn more about the Clackamas County Juvenile Department.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Clackamas County only accepts online applications. To be considered, please submit a complete application, resume and cover letter.

If you have any questions or issues you may contact the Department of Human Resources by calling 503-655-8459 or emails us at [e-mail].

Our office hours are Monday - Thursday 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Pacific Time (closed on Fridays).

HOW TO CLAIM VETERAN'S PREFERENCE

How to Claim Veteran's Preference.

VISA SPONSORSHIP

Clackamas County does not offer visa sponsorships. Once a job applicant has accepted a position, theywill be required to complete an I-9 and confirm authorization to work in the United States prior to their first day.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Clackamas County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the Department of Human Resources prior to the recruitment close date. You may request an accommodation during the online application process.