Juvenile Counselor Technician Pool - 2026 (Uniformed Juvenile Justice Officer)

Guilford County; Greensboro (NC); On-site; USD 43,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Guilford County's Juvenile Detention Center seeks full-time Juvenile Counselor Technician to supervise and support detained youth. The role involves security, daily activity supervision, and counseling using behavior-based approaches, with shift flexibility to meet department needs.

New hires can start with a base pay as high as $48,447, with possible increases of up to $5,400. This does not include additional compensation for direct experience. Remote work is not available.

Qualifications

• Understanding of juvenile behavior and detention center protocols.
• Ability to counsel juveniles using cognitive-behavioral techniques.
• Strong communication and de-escalation skills.

Responsibilities

• Admit juveniles to the detention center and collect necessary information.
• Explain and enforce center policies to detainees.
• Plan and supervise detainee activities, including hygiene and recreation.
• Prepare observation reports on individuals.
• Assist volunteers with activities for juveniles.
• Encourage positive behavior and discourage antisocial habits.

Skills

Patience with youth

Counseling concepts

Communication skills

Emergency response

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Criminal Justice knowledge (preferred)

Job description

Now hiring for both full-time Juvenile Counselor Technician positions! We offer multiple schedule options to support department needs and candidate flexibility.

New Hire Starting Base Pay as High as $48,447!

(Up to $5400 could be added to base pay. Details listed below.) This does not include additional compensation for direct experience.

Incentives

Applicants who have earned an Associates, Bachelors, or a job related Masters/equivalent Post-Graduate degree will receive an increase in pay. (An official transcript must be provided.)

Base Pay for Education (based on a 12-hour shift)

• $43,047 = High School
• $44,847 = Associate's Degree
• $46,647 = Bachelor's Degree
• $48,447 = Related Master's Degree (Psychology, Sociology, Public Administration, Business Administration or Criminal Justice)

NOTE: THIS POSITION DOES NOT ALLOW FOR REMOTE WORK OPPORTUNITIES.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

Performs security and custody work in supervising juveniles in the County Juvenile Detention Center.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

Employees in this class are responsible for carrying out assigned duties relative to the detention, security, and discipline of juveniles in accordance with rules and regulations. Employees supervise the daily activities associated with school, recreation, nutritional intake, and housekeeping of the juveniles. Work includes participating in the housekeeping, food service, and recreational activities that are planned for the Center. Employees encourage and support appropriate behaviors, attitudes and habits through cognitive-behavioral based counseling. Employees must have patience and use judgment and discretion in dealing with juveniles, family members, the Court system, and visitors. Work is performed under the supervision of the shift supervisor.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Essential Duties and Tasks

• Admits Juvenile to detention center; interview juveniles to obtain necessary legal, health, and social information.
• Explains and enforces policies and procedures of the Detention Center to detainees assigned to the center.
• Plans and supervises activities of the detainees, including housekeeping and personal hygiene.
• Prepares observation reports on individuals assigned to the Juvenile Detention Center.
• Assists volunteers with activities that are planned for the juveniles.
• Promotes positive behavior of juveniles by attempting to modify antisocial attitudes; discouraging undesirable habits, and encouraging worthwhile habits.
• Searches juveniles and inspects housing for contraband.
• Enforces rules and regulations for the safety, health, and protection of inmates.
• May service as lead worker for interim periods of time.
• Performs related work as assigned.

RECRUITMENT STANDARDS Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Working knowledge of the attitudes, problems and behavior patterns of juveniles under restraint.
• Working knowledge of the methods, procedures and practices of controlling and supervising juveniles confined to a detention center.
• Ability to supervise and control juveniles individually and in groups and to work with youth with behavioral problems.
• Ability to think and act quickly during emergencies.
• Ability to follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to prepare standard reports.
• Ability to counsel juveniles in appropriate behaviors, attitudes, and habits.

Minimum Qualifications

20 years old, graduation from high school or GED.

Plus the requirements by the NC CJ Education and Training Standards Commission, as defined by Title 12, Chapter 9 of the NC Administrative Code, by the statutory authority of GS 17C.

Selected applicants must attend and successfully complete and pass the Juvenile Justice Officer Basic Training certification program. The certification requires three weeks to complete and is comprised of classroom and physically demanding training. This training is carried out at regional training centers and requires consecutive overnight stays.

In addition, the selected candidate must:

• Have or be able to obtain required documentation for certification as a Juvenile Justice Officer (i.e. a diploma).
• Pass a Criminal Background check
• Pass a Drug Screening test
• Pass a Psychological test
• Pass a Sexual Risk Screening test
• Pass a Physical (to include Vision and Hearing)
• Be a US citizen
• Be at least 20 years of age
• Have a valid driver's license

Physical Demands and Work Conditions

Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of standing, walking, fingering, grasping, talking, and repetitive motion. Must be able to perform sedentary work exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Must possess the visual acuity to prepare and analyze data and figures, to transcribe, to do extensive reading, and to determine the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned.

Driving is Essential

Driving is an essential requirement of this position whether driving a County owned or personal vehicle to conduct county business. Motor Vehicle Reports may be verified for valid driver's license and that the driving record is compatible with the county's driving criteria. If a personal vehicle is operated for county business proper insurance is maintained as per Guilford County's vehicle use policy.

Special Note

This generic class description gives an overview of the job class, its essential job functions, and recommended job requirements. However, for each individual position assigned to this class, there is available a completed job description with a physical abilities checklist which can give further details about that one specific position. Those documents should be reviewed before initiating a selection process. They can provide additional detailed information on which to base various personnel actions and can assist management in making legal defensible personnel decisions.