YOUTH PAROLE COUNSELOR 1 - UNDERFILL

State of Nevada; Nevada; On-site; USD 48,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

The Nevada Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS) Rural Region seeks Youth Parole Counselors to supervise youth under parole and enforce agreements, coordinating placement, counseling, education goals, and work programs with community partners in Elko, Fallon, or Reno.

Incumbents work with schools, juvenile justice, law enforcement and families to develop parole plans, monitor progress, and prepare required reports and documentation for statewide systems; occasional overtime may apply.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, psychology, social work or closely related field, or equivalent education/experience.
• Two years of experience in the criminal justice system including conducting casework services, making program eligibility determinations, investigating offenders, preparing detailed reports, or coordinating with law enforcement and related agencies regarding parole.
• Experience or knowledge of coordinating with community-based placements, schools, and juvenile justice system to develop parole agreements and plans.

Responsibilities

• Supervise, enforce parole agreements and stipulations for assigned youth.
• Determine appropriate placement, counseling, educational goals, and work programs.
• Work with community-based placements, schools, and agencies to develop parole plans and aftercare programs.

Skills

Criminal justice knowledge

Communication skills

Case management

Interpersonal skills

Data collection & reporting

Education

Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, psychology, social work or closely related field

High school diploma or equivalent + 2 years criminal justice experience

Job description

The Nevada DIVISION OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES (DCFS) is seeking for a Youth Parole Counselor 1 underfilling Youth Parole Counselor 2 to be in our Rural Region. Locations are Elko, Fallon, or Reno. Youth Parole Counselors provide supervision, enforce parole agreements and stipulations, and determine appropriate placement, counseling, educational goals, and work programs of assigned youth; work directly with community-based placements, rehabilitation and counseling programs, schools, the juvenile justice system, local law enforcement agencies and families in developing an appropriate parole and treatment program. Incumbents meet with juvenile institution staff, youth, juvenile judges, counselors, families and placement Centers to develop parole and treatment plans, goals and objectives; monitor activities of youth while institutionalized and develop an aftercare program to guide reintegration into the community. Act as a liaison with a variety of community agencies including neighborhood resource teams, schools, counseling and treatment centers, juvenile justice system, State and county welfare, and community-based placements to coordinate the treatment, counseling and supervision needs of youth. Document all contact involving youth, family and legal interactions within a statewide database; collect appropriate data regarding caseload interaction and report data according to established requirements and timelines. Monitor progress reports and compile data for inclusion in the automated information system from the institution, community-based placements, school, work, treatment programs and direct observation. This position is full-time with a regular work schedule that includes a variable work agreement with overtime after 40 hours per week. The Nevada DIVISION OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES (DCFS), together in partnership with families, communities and other governmental agencies provides support and services to assist Nevada's children and families in reaching their full human potential. DCFS programs include child protective and welfare service delivery in rural Nevada and oversight of urban county-operated child protective and welfare services, children's mental/behavioral health treatment and residential services (outpatient and inpatient acute in urban Nevada, and statewide juvenile justice services including state-operated youth training centers and youth parole. We recognize that Nevada’s families are our future and children, youth and families thrive when they live in safe permanent settings, experience a sense of sustainable emotional and physical wellbeing, and receive support to consistently make positive choices for family and the common good. DCFS is an extremely complex organization with incredibly dedicated and professional staff committed to serving Nevada's youth and families! Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Youth Parole Counselors provide supervision, enforce parole agreements and stipulations, and determine appropriate placement, counseling, educational goals, and work programs of assigned youth; work directly with community-based placements, rehabilitation and counseling programs, schools, the juvenile justice system, local law enforcement agencies and families in developing an appropriate parole and treatment program.

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in criminal justice, psychology, social work or closely related field; OR graduation from high school or equivalent education and two years of experience in the criminal justice system to include conducting casework services, making program eligibility determinations, investigating offenders, preparing detailed reports for the purposes of justifying criminal sanctions and/or prosecution, or coordinating with law enforcement agencies, the juvenile justice system, community-based placements, and related State agencies regarding the preparation of parole agreements, placement, program development, obtaining services and the legal process of assigned youth; OR one year of experience as either a Correctional Officer or Forensic Specialist III in Nevada State service; OR two years of experience as either a Group Supervisor II or Parole & Probation Specialist II in Nevada State service; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience as described above.

Meet with juvenile institution staff, youth, juvenile judges, counselors, families and placement centers to develop parole and treatment plans, goals and objectives; monitor activities of youth while institutionalized and develop an aftercare program to guide reintegration into the community.

Act as a liaison with a variety of community agencies including neighborhood resource teams,schools, counseling and treatment centers, juvenile justice system, State and county welfare, and community-basedplacementsto coordinate the treatment, counseling and supervision needs of youth.

Document all contact involving youth, family and legal interactions within a statewide database; collect appropriate data regarding caseload interaction and report data according to established requirements and timelines.

Monitor progress reports and compile data for inclusion in the automated information systemfrom theinstitution, community-based placements, school, work, treatment programs and direct observation; prepare file notes, required forms and reports to reflect ward’s progress or violation of stipulated agreements, program rules and regulations and take appropriate action; recommend and facilitate the implementation of theparole plan and submit to supervisor for review.

Meet with assigned youth on a regular basis and conduct unscheduled visits at home, at work, or in school; discuss parole and treatment goals and accomplishments; correct inappropriate behavior or violations; recommend and assist youth in developing objectives to meet parole requirements.

Provide guidance and counsel youth and family regarding rules, appropriate behavior, program opportunities, personal or family problems, emergency situations and medical or psychological needs; make appropriate referrals and encourage behavior modification; chronologically document information received from youth, family, referral services, and State agencies and develop required reports.

Perform enforcement activities regarding parole violations; assist local law enforcement and State agencies; locate, apprehend, transfer, arrest, book and detain youth; appear in court with child when adjudicated and prepare necessary paperwork such as petitions, judge orders, and revocations.

Investigate and make placement decisions regarding interstate compact of juveniles from other states; visit family or relatives and conduct home survey; recommend approval or denial to grant residency in the State.

Appear as an officer of the court at court hearings, set court dates and coordinate with parents and District Attorneys; ensure compliance with court orders including counseling, restitution, community service, and special placement; prepare various court documents and reports including Parole Agreements, Violation Reports, Review Hearing Reports, social histories, dispositional reports, certification reports and termination reports; provide recommendations to court regarding detention, alternative placement, termination and revocation of parole.

Arrange for services to youth and their families to includesubstance abuse counseling, mental health evaluations, residential placement and/or outpatient treatment; routinely administer urinalysis tests to verify compliance with parole agreements; provide recommendations to supervisor for review.

Incumbents receive training in performing all or part of the duties described above. This is the entry level in the series and provides for progression to the next level upon satisfactory performance, meeting the minimum qualifications and with the recommendation of the appointing authority.

Perform related duties as assigned.

General knowledge of: investigative techniques; interviewing techniques; law enforcement principles and practices, casework services and court processes.

Ability to: write concise, logical, grammatically correct reports; speak on a one-to-one basis using appropriate vocabulary and grammar; record information quickly and accurately; read and interpret statutes and bureau policy and procedures.