Youth Detention Counselor

Town Of Minden; Stateline (NV); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Part time

Job summary

Douglas County is seeking Youth Detention Counselors to mentor at‑risk youths in the Stateline, NV detention facility. The role emphasizes safety, daily oversight, and documentation of incidents and progress, with a focus on helping youth toward better outcomes.

The position is on‑call with variable hours and no benefits; candidates must be able to work day, swing, or graveyard shifts and pass required trainings.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required.
• At least 1 year of experience working with at-risk youth or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Mentor detainees and oversee movements; identify high-risk behavior and document incidents.
• Work rotating shifts to ensure 24-hour coverage; adapt to changing schedules.
• Prepare written reports detailing residents' progress and incidents.
• Maintain cleanliness and security of the facility.
• Facilitate group sessions and individual counseling related to life skills and decision-making.

Skills

Mentorship

Detention supervision

Incident reporting

Documentation

First aid

Education

High School diploma/GED

Tools

County vehicle operation

Job description

Applications are reviewed regularly. Postings may close prior to the listed date. Individuals are encouraged to apply immediately.**

Description

Applications are reviewed regularly. Postings may close prior to the listed date. Individuals are encouraged to apply immediately.**

Make a difference in the lives of at-risk youth in our community. By providing mentorship and oversight of daily activities, Douglas County's Youth Detention Counselors play an important role in ensuring the health, safety, and welfare of juvenile detainees held in custody in the Stateline, Nevada juvenile detention facility. The right candidate will be an individual with a dedication to helping juveniles and the drive and commitment to helping them toward better outcomes.

This posting is intended to fill two vacancies for on‑call positions which do not qualify for benefits. Hours are variable and scheduled on an as‑needed basis.

Primary Objectives

Performs basic work maintaining safety and security of the staff, detainees, visitors and juvenile detention facilities; supervising detainees according to policies, procedures and regulations; performs related tasks as apparent or assigned.

This is a safety sensitive position and is subject to random and pre‑employment drug and alcohol screening.

Supervision Exercised

None.

Primary Duties And Responsibilities

• Works as a mentor with detainees; oversees detainees’ movements and ensuring compliance with legal requirements; maintains order, observes individual and group dynamics to identify potentially high‑risk youth; assesses behavior; determines rule infractions and executes appropriate course of action; documents details of incidents and methods used to resolve issues.
• Works a rotating schedule that may include day, swing, and graveyard shifts, weekends, and holidays, as assigned, to ensure 24‑hour coverage and continuous operation of the facility. Adjusts to changes in shift assignments based on operational needs.
• Prepares written reports and documentation to record resident’s progress and incidents observed.
• Cleans and maintains facility as required.
• Interacts with detainees to determine unusual tendencies or behavioral traits and changes in behavior; facilitates small group counseling sessions; may conduct group sessions based upon cultural diversity, life skills, character development, problem solving and decision‑making skills.
• Oversees activities; physical fitness, counseling, phone calls, hygiene, meals, snacks, visits; informs supervisor of unusual events or operational needs.
• Ensures compliance with regulatory requirements and department policies and procedures.
• Administers prescription and non‑prescription medication; documents administration of medications; provides first aid as required; observes, reports and documents all symptoms of illness/disease, and notifies emergency services as needed.
• Processes youths arriving and departing the detention facility; issues clothing, bedding and personal items; inventories and inspects clothing and property brought by youth and secures for return upon release; provides orientation for detainees; answers questions in regard to procedures, daily routine and rules of conduct.
• Performs inspections in all detention facilities; ensures that all areas are safe, secure, sanitary and free of contraband; inventories and maintains accountability for keys, equipment, tools and supplies; accounts for detainees under direct supervision; may perform physical searches.
• Restrains juveniles, as needed, using approved physical and mechanical restraint methods.
• Uses County vehicle to perform various tasks related to job duties.
• Represents the County with dignity, integrity, and a spirit of cooperation in all relationships with staff and the public.
• Contributes effectively to the accomplishment of team or work unit goals, objectives, and activities.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School diploma/GED; AND one (1) year of experience working with at risk youth OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Must be a minimum of 21 years of age at date of employment.

Certifications/Licenses

• Valid Driver's License
• JIREH Certification within 90 days of date of employment
• First Aid, Bloodborne Pathogen, CPR, and AED certification within 90 days of date of employment
• Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) training within 90 days of date of employment
• Defensive Tactics Training appropriate to juvenile detention environment within 90 days of date of employment

WORKING CONDITIONS

The characteristics listed below are representative of the physical demands, physical agility, sensory requirements, and environmental exposures required by an individual to successfully perform the essential duties of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

• This work requires the regular exertion of up to 10 pounds of force, frequent exertion of up to 25 pounds of force and occasional exertion of over 100 pounds of force.
• Work regularly requires standing, walking, speaking or hearing, using hands, reaching with hands and arms and tasting or smelling; frequently requires repetitive motions; occasionally requires sitting, climbing or balancing, kneeling or crawling and pushing.
• Work requires close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, depth perception, color perception, night vision and peripheral vision; vocal communication is required for conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly or quickly; hearing is required to receive detailed information through oral communication and/or to make fine distinctions in sound.
• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, use of measuring devices, operating machinery, operating motor vehicles or equipment and observing general surroundings and activity.
• Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).
• Work frequently requires exposure to outdoor weather conditions; occasionally requires working near moving mechanical parts, exposure to fumes or airborne particles, exposure to toxic or caustic chemicals, exposure to the risk of electrical shock
• Work is subject to evening, weekend, split and holiday shifts. Must maintain regular and consistent punctuality and attendance.
• Incumbent is subject to exposure to blood, blood borne pathogens, and airborne diseases (may be required to wear specialized personal protective equipment).
• Work is performed in a potentially hostile, emotionally stressful environment with challenging youth.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

• Continued employment is contingent upon all required licenses and certificates being maintained in active status without suspension or revocation.
• Employment is contingent upon successful completion of background/screening.
• Douglas County participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each applicant’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. All candidates who are offered employment must complete Section 1 of the Form I-9 along with the required proof of their right to work in the United States and proof of their identity prior to starting employment. Please be prepared to provide required documentation as soon as possible after the job offer is made.
• This job description indicates, in general, the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions expected of the incumbent. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required.

Overview Of Douglas County Benefits

Disclaimer: Douglas County provides benefits to full time employees. Benefits are prorated for some part time positions (depending on job). Some part time positions may provide no benefits.

No Nevada State income tax.

Retirement – Public Employees' Retirement System of Nevada

Douglas County contributes 36.75% of an eligible Regular Member and 50% of an eligible Police and Fire Member's salary for retirement. Deferred Compensation Plans – Employees can participate in the VOYA Retirement Plans, which is funded by the employee.

Paid Leave

12 paid Holidays per year. Generous paid leave accrual's including 96 hours sick annually, begin accruing 120 hours annual leave each year. Administrative leave of 5 days or 3 days annually applies to some positions. Please refer to our leave policies https://www.douglascountynv.gov/687/Policies-Procedures or relevant labor agreement https://www.douglascountynv.gov/688/Labor-Contracts for more information.

Health Insurance

The County has rich benefits plans to choose from: Preferred Provider (PPO) and Health Savings Account (HSA) with supplemental benefits to include: prescription plan, dental plan, vision, life insurance opportunities, cancer insurance, and disability insurance. Benefit eligibility is the 1st of the month following 30-day waiting period or 60 days, depending on the position. For more detailed information on the Health Insurance you may refer to our website located at: https://www.douglascountynv.gov/693/Employee-Benefits-Information

Compensation

Douglas County's compensation system is based on Pay for Performance wherein employees are eligible for annual performance evaluations. The current structure consists of merit increases up to 3% on a qualifying employee's anniversary and Cost of Living Adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index during the first pay period of each fiscal year. The COLA will be up to 5% depending on the CPI each year. Additionally, eligible employees can be recognized for outstanding performance, above and beyond the call of duty, and receive additional compensation through the Recognition of Excellence Program.