Youth Detention Counselor I - Safeguard & Support Teens

Linn County; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 26,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wages

IPERS retirement

Wellness program

On-site fitness

Paid holidays

Professional development

Job summary

Linn County in Cedar Rapids, IA is seeking a compassionate professional to supervise and support youth at the Juvenile Detention Center. You will assess needs, conduct intake, maintain safety, and help plan daily activities.

The role requires a high school diploma and at least one year of relevant experience. You will document behavior, respond to emergencies, and participate in a token economy-based behavior management system while performing light maintenance tasks.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• At least 1 year of experience in the care, counseling, and management of dependent, neglected, and delinquent adolescents.

Responsibilities

• Supervise dependent, neglected, or delinquent youth residing in the Juvenile Detention Center.
• Assess the psychological, physical, and emotional needs of the youth being referred.
• Conduct intake activities for residents including conducting interviews to obtain required information.
• Check and maintain security and safety of residents on a continual basis.
• Organize, plan, and implement structured daily activities for youth after assessing group dynamics and individual needs.
• Promote, encourage, and support appropriate behavior through relationship building, and confront inappropriate behavior in a professional manner.
• Physically restrains residents for protection using non-mechanical restraints.
• Observe and record descriptions of behavior for program planning and court recommendations.
• Keep daily records and reports.
• Respond to emergencies such as escape, suicide attempts, drug overdose, intoxicated youth, etc.
• Implement behavior management system utilizing tokens, contracts, level system, resets, etc.
• May prepare and manage serving of meals for 10-20 people.
• Performs light maintenance tasks such as cleaning and laundry activities.

Job description

Linn County in Cedar Rapids, IA is seeking a compassionate professional to supervise and support youth at the Juvenile Detention Center. You will assess needs, conduct intake, maintain safety, and help plan daily activities.

The role requires a high school diploma and at least one year of relevant experience. You will document behavior, respond to emergencies, and participate in a token economy-based behavior management system while performing light maintenance tasks.