Probation Counselor II

Fairfax County Government; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Fairfax County Government seeks a seasoned supervisor for Juvenile Secure Detention Center operations. The role emphasizes safety of residents, staff and visitors, and oversight of a childcare team and medical/mental health needs.

The position requires a bachelor’s degree in a related field and relevant experience in probation/criminal justice; a master’s degree can substitute for one year of experience. The role involves policy adherence and court liaison duties.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in social/behavioral sciences, criminal justice, or education plus two years of professional experience in probation work, social work, criminal justice, juvenile justice, education, or counseling. A master's degree in the disciplines above may be substituted for one year of the required experience.

Responsibilities

• Supervise residents and staff, ensuring safety and welfare in detention operations.
• Oversee medical and mental health management for residents and crisis intervention as needed.
• Coordinate program activities, training, and performance evaluations for staff.
• Serve as Court liaison and supervise transportation team in court-related duties.
• Maintain policy compliance with DJJ regulations and county procedures.

Skills

Case supervision

Psychology knowledge

Sociology knowledge

Interpersonal skills

Crisis intervention

Communication skills

Staff training

Education

Bachelor's degree in social/behavioral sciences, criminal justice, or education

Master's degree substitution for experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

This position is operational and supervisory in nature. The primary focus of this position is the security of the unit, facility or court holding unit and the safety and welfare of residents, staff and visitors. Serves as senior counselor. Provides performance supervision as necessary, training and mentoring of new staff. Ensures safety & security of youth and facility operations and that residents are treated with dignity & respect. Stimulates resident's interest and supervises their participation in a comprehensive activities program. Responsible for monitoring resident’s medical and mental health needs including medication distribution. Supervises residents and participates in daily light housekeeping tasks. Maintains basic discipline and control of residents; utilizes physical crisis intervention as needed to bodily control disruptive or aggressive detainees. Assists residents with adjustment to the program.

This position ensures that detailed policy and procedural issues are adhered to and that physical and emotional crisis is met with professional skill based upon the incumbent’s training and experience. Primary responsibility for identifying to the operations manager and shift administrator areas in need of change in the policy and procedure and advising them of personnel management issues. Perform managerial and supervisory duties as necessary to oversee the performance of the workers assigned to them as well as the operation of the facility and management of the residents. Ensures that policy and procedures specific to the operation of the Detention Center are followed; ensures program compliance with the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) regulations governing Juvenile Secure Detention Centers and Agency and County operational procedures. Participates is staff performance evaluations and the new hire selection process and training.

Assists the operations manager and the shift administrator in the operation of the facility. Monitors the flow of the shift and schedule of activities. Maintains an accurate population count. Reviews discipline process with team management; conducting due process hearings on residents. Reviews and responds to resident requests. Substitutes as an operations manager, assisting the shift administrator, responsible for the supervision and performance of a childcare team. Oversees all floor activity, oversees medical management of residents. Court Holding duty post; administrator responsible for the operation of Court Holding and the supervision of the Transportation Team which consists of three full-time Probation I staff members.

Serves as a Court liaison, provides transportation of residents to court and local medical/dental and mental health appointments. Overnight (NOC) duty post; Serves as one of two assistant supervisors of the NOC shift. Performs as a front-line manager having operational, supervisory and administrative duties for the performance of the workers assigned. Ensures that policy and procedure is adhered to. Maintains safety and security of the facility and the residents. Responsible for programming, scheduling and issues related to the residents.

Schedule:

This employee works a 3-week rotating schedule (7 a.m. - 3 p.m. and 3 p.m. - 11 p.m.) including weekends and holidays. This position will periodically be assigned to an overnight (NOC) schedule and/or court holding schedule (Mon-Fri, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.).

Note:

This position is considered Emergency Service Personnel for purposes of continuity of operations and is required to report to work as scheduled during inclement weather or other emergency situations.

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position description.)

Residential Services:

• Positions located in a residential facility supervise and direct house routines and therapeutic programs;
• Ensures that residents maintain behavioral norms;
• Coordinates and implements a residential program area such as recreational, educational or employment activities;
• May drive a passenger van for educational and recreational trips;
• Maintains on-going contact/communication with victims and witnesses during investigation and judicial proceedings;
• Works with and assists the officers and detectives within a district station assignment with the victim services and referrals;
• Provides court accompaniment to crime victim and witnesses for all court proceedings in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations, General District and Circuit Courts;
• Responds to call-outs to crime scenes and other locations to provide immediate crisis intervention and support;
• Provides training to departmental staff, commonwealth attorneys, judicial staff, and other relevant community organizations;

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)

• Knowledge of casework supervision practices and procedures;
• Knowledge of the principles of psychology and sociology;
• Knowledge of current social and economic conditions;
• Ability to use technology to enter and retrieve information;
• Ability to interpret laws, rules, and regulations related to probation work and victim services;
• Ability to interview and counsel clients;
• Ability to prepare complete case records and reports;
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with a variety of individuals.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following:

(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in social/behavioral sciences, criminal justice, or education plus two years of professional experience in probation work, social work, criminal justice, juvenile justice, education, or counseling. A master's degree in the disciplines above may be substituted for one year of the required experience.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:

• Valid Driver's License (Required at the time of application)
• Medication Management (Required within 6 months)
• ServeSafe (Required within 6 months)
• CPR/First Aid (Required within 30 days)
• Handle With Care (Required within 30 days)

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• This position is considered Emergency Service Personnel to ensure the continuity of essential operations,and will be required to report to work during times designated countywide as approved for unscheduled leave regardless of the emergency situation (i.e., weather, transportation, other disaster).
• The appointee to the position will be required to complete the following to the satisfaction of the employer:
• Criminal Background Investigation
• Child Protective Services
• Sanction Screenings
• Driving Record Check
• Pre-employment Medical Evaluation
• Tuberculosis Test

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Thorough knowledge of the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) regulations governing the operation of a Secure Juvenile Detention Center
• Thorough knowledge of the Detention Center's policy and procedures and the overall operation of the Detention Center's Security Systems including: CCTV, PIPE System, all data base driven systems.
• Familiarity with the Code of Virginia (VCC) as it relates to placement of youth in a Secure Detention Center.
• Managerial experience overseeing and directing facility wide operations in a juvenile detention center.
• Knowledge of current treatment approaches for addressing a host of adolescent issues including mental health and substance abuse concerns.
• Should possess skills in program management, excellent customer service skills, and effective communication skills.
• Professional experience in Juvenile Justice, including supervisory and managerial experience conducting operations in a Juvenile Detention Center.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office software (Word and Excel).

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Ability to physically restrain acting-out residents.
• Ability to lift up to 50pounds.
• Ability to run periodically, walk, and stand for long periods of time.
• Visual and auditory acuity required to read logbooks, reports, and data on a computer monitor.
• Ability to operate keyboard-driven equipment.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle.
• All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:

Panel interview and may include a practical exercise.

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others.) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. [e-mail]. EEO/AA/TTY.

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Requisition 26-01287