Juvenile Probation Counselor 2 – Probation Unit

Pierce County; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Join an innovative leader in youth justice, where your passion for advocacy and compassion can drive real change. This role focuses on building relationships, supporting young people, and fostering community connections. You'll engage with families, provide resources, and promote positive outcomes in a dynamic environment committed to equity and inclusion. With opportunities for professional development and a commitment to systemic change, your contributions will help shape the future for youth in Pierce County. If you're ready to make a difference and support marginalized communities, this is the place for you.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in social work or related field required.
• 1+ years of experience in a related field preferred.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain positive relationships with youth and families.
• Gather and present fact-based information to the court.
• Facilitate collaboration with service providers and support systems.

Skills

Relationship Building

Behavioral Management

Critical Thinking

Cultural Humility

Advocacy

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Social Work

Experience in Human Services

Job description

Why This is a Great Opportunity:
Pierce County Juvenile Court is an innovative leader in the youth justice field. It is home to where reform policies, practices, and programs are nationally recognized. Pierce County Juvenile Court was one of two sites in the nation to be selected to pursue Probation Transformation in partnership with the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The Juvenile Court system is proud to be a national leader in working with young people and families to address systemic racism and improve outcomes for everyone in our community. Even with the successes in our reform journey, we know that there is more work to do as the structure of our current system is designed to produce disparate outcomes for BIPOC children and families, as well as marginalized communities.

Do you want to be on the front line of change?Of taking our current efforts to the next level, so that young people are prepared for successful transition into adulthood? And advocate within the system for change that impacts individuals while supporting the development of strong communities?

Your passion for leading with compassion, listening, supporting, empowering, providing resources and advocacy to young people and families, will be valued here. We welcome and embrace your diverse perspective and talents. We believe people and systems can change, and together, we will make a powerful impact in the community.

Our Guiding Principles
We Practice Gratitude: Put relationships first and be thankful; a readiness to show appreciation for others and return kindness.
We Value Differences:Appreciate and embrace differences in opinions, cultures, and experiences.
We Maintain a Growth Mindset:Effort and perseverance are important; giving and receiving feedback is critical to improving skills and establishing grit. The focus is on the process; outcomes will follow.
We Choose Courage Over Comfort: Willing to face challenging tasks and engage in difficult conversations with grace. We support each other in all times.
We Practice Authenticity: Be genuine, speak your truth, and seek understanding of experiences that differ from your own.

How to be Successful in the Role:
Success in this position is measured by the ability tobuild and sustain positive relationships, coach, teach and mentor young people while maintaining healthy boundaries. Keeping the safety and security of young people and staff as priority, by using successful behavioral management skills and de-escalation techniques. Responding to situations that arise through a trauma informed lens and with a compassionate approach will also contribute to the success of the individual in this role.

• Ability to work in a high conflict environment and remain strength-based while supporting cases moving forward in a way that leads to positive outcomes for young people and families.
• Ability to think critically, challenge assumptions, combat bias and advocate through the lens/values of the young people and families you serve, even when they may differ from your own.
• Be culturally humble and responsive.
• Write and speak in a persuasive way.
• Respond to situations that arise and to individuals through atrauma informed and anti-racist lens.
• Secondary trauma is a reality in our work. The ability to be mindful and be healthy will ensure long term success in the field of child welfare.

Your Future in the Role:
As the justice system continues to improve and reform, we welcome forward thinking, creative, and compassionate people who thrive working in everchanging and innovative environments.

This position has opportunities for professional development, leadership, and training, as well as creating many connections within child welfare, education, mental health, community resources, substance use disorder, poverty and other areas that impact the young people and families we serve.

Click here to watch a short video highlighting the transformative work of Pierce County Juvenile Court: https://youtu.be/E-YZEVzoeM8

Core Daily Responsibilities:
Pierce County Juvenile Court probation department is committed to making a powerful contribution to the health and safety of our community. Through a race equity and inclusion focus, we envision a safe, connected community where all youth and families are supported and empowered to build on their strengths so they can reach their potential. By actively engaging with youth and families, we are building positive and trusting relationships that best advocate for the needs of our families. Our role is to ensure every family and youth are well informed throughout their interaction with the court and receive the right resources and supports to be successful. Subsequently, every youth and family should feel valued and empowered throughout their experience and enabled to transition successfully into the community.

• Meet young people and families in their homes, in the community, at schools, etc. Build relationships with young people and all parties involved with a case.
• Gather fact-based information to make informed recommendations to the court and ensure the court has all relevant information to make well informed decisions.
• Participate in the court process – write court reports, file and respond to motions, testify at trials and court hearings.
• Facilitate relationships and advocate outside of court to ensure a child and family’s needs are being met by the system and community.
• Collaborate with parents, service providers, agencies, or other support systems in the lives of the young people served, to form a support network for them and their family for their long-term success.
• Facilitate/co-facilitate in teaching groups of young people that are involved in Evidence Based and Positive Youth Development programming.
• Stay up to date with current trends in child welfare, mental health, substance use disorder, poverty, racism, bias, etc.
• Develop, facilitate, and participate in training for ongoing educational requirements and ongoing certification.
• Maintain the highest integrity and follow the rules of conduct for Juvenile Probation Counselors and Pierce County employees.

Strategic Responsibilities and Values:
You should be adaptable, forward-thinking, trauma informed, and compassionate, while maintaining the safety, security, and wellbeing of young people under the jurisdiction of Pierce County Juvenile Court. You should support the vision of a safe, connected community where all young people and families are supported and empowered to build on their strengths, so that they can reach their full potential. You should instill hope in those you serve through creating goals, finding pathways, and believing in the possibility of change.

• Graduation from a four-year college or university with major course work in social work or human services field, counseling, criminal justice and juvenile systems, social or behavior sciences or related field and
• One or more years’ experience in a related field.
• Additional education and experience may substitute for the recruitment requirements.

Special Requirements:

• A valid Washington State driver's license is required.
• Ability to successfully complete a Pierce County background investigation and polygraph exam is required before employment.

To be considered for this opportunity please:

1) Complete and submit an online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting "APPLY" above or go to: www.piercecountywa.org/jobs.

2) Attach the following documents to your online application:

• College transcripts or college diploma
• Other documents which you feel would facilitate this process or assist us in determining your suitability for the position. Examples: job performance evaluations, awards, certificates, decorations, etc.

Other Important Information:

• If you do not have internet access, you may visit your local public library or anyWorkSourcelocation and use their computers.
• Individuals needing accommodation in the application, testing process or need this job announcement in an alternative format may call Human Resources at [phone], at least two days prior to the need.
• This is a competitive selection process. Your application form will be reviewed and evaluated for the quality and quantity of education/experience in the areas listed. Applicants whose qualifications most closely correspond to the County's needs will be eligible for further consideration. Short notice may be given to applicants to participate in further selection processes which may include written and/or oral examinations, performance examinations, and interviews.
• Notification of application status normally occurs 4 to 6 weeks after the closing date. Please do not contact us regarding the status of your application. You will be contacted once an outcome has been reached. We primarily communicate via e-mail during the application process. E-mails from piercecounty.org and/or neogov.com must be placed on your safe domain list to ensure that you receive notifications in a timely manner. As a precaution, you may also want to check your junk e-mail folders.
• The online application system requires you to enter a substantial amount of information. Be prepared to spend an hour or two entering the required information. It may be helpful to you if you print the announcement, gather the information, then enter the information.
• In order for your application materials to be considered, all information must be submitted by the closing date and timelisted on this job announcement.

At Pierce County, diversity, equity, and inclusion means commitment, not a single step. We strive to foster an inclusive environment that supports equitable access to opportunities throughout your career. We want to recruit, develop, and maintain a talented workforce from various backgrounds, cultures, lifestyles, and perspectives, committed to our vision. Employees of the County have local, direct, and visible impact in our diverse community. Will you join us in keeping Pierce County a great place to live, work, and raise a family?