Youth Counselor - Male (4/26/23)

Linn County is committed to creating a Customer-Center Culture placing our internal & external customers at the center of everything we do! Why do we do this? We get that question a lot. The answer is simple: We want our customers to have a positive experience. Our co-workers are customers too. Exceptional internal customer satisfaction leads to exceptional customer satisfaction for the public!
Why work at Linn County?

• 12 paid holidays per year
• Training & professional development opportunities
• Tuition reimbursement program available to eligible employees
• Wellness program offering credit on insurance premiums and cash rewards to eligible employees
• On-site fitness centers for $15 per year
• 100% County paid basic life insurance
• Iowa Public Employee's Retirement Pension Plan (IPERS)
• Competitive wages with annual pay increases & annual cost of living increase (depending on budget)
• Medical, dental, vision, short & long term disability, and supplemental life insurance

• Supervises dependent, neglected or delinquent youth residing in the Juvenile Detention Center.
• Makes decisions involving the admission of youth in crisis situations, voluntary or police referral. Interviews police/juvenile court officer or case worker and parents. Assesses the psychological, physical and emotional needs of the youth being referred.
• Implements behavior management system utilizing a token economy, behavior contracting, level system, time outs, mediation essays, etc.
• Knows the products they personally produce and the customers of each product. Listens to the “Voice of the Customer “and closes gaps between customer expectations and experience whenever possible.
• Responds to emergency situations such as escape or suicide attempts, drug overdose, intoxicated youth, etc.
• Physically restrains residents for the protection of themselves or others.
• Promotes, encourages and supports appropriate behavior through relationship building, and confronts negative/inappropriate behavior in a professional manner.
• Performs all other related duties as assigned.
• Observes and records description of behavior for the purpose of program planning and for recommendation to the court. Keeps daily records and reports.
• Performs some maintenance tasks when needed. Provides for maintenance of van.
• Organizes, plans and implements structured daily activities for youth after assessing group dynamics and individual needs.
• Implements medical instructions. Monitors medical needs of youth and refers problems to appropriate authority.
• Checks and maintains security and safety of residents on a continual basis.
• Provides group and individual counseling for all residents.

• Ability to establish and maintain positive professional relationship with co-workers, other professionals, parents, and youth.
• Knowledge of community resources.
• Ability to use sound judgment in the application of program guidelines to a wide variety of situations and behavior.
• Working knowledge of group dynamics and behavior management techniques.
• Working knowledge of the care, counseling and management of dependent, neglected, and delinquent youth.
• Certifications required after hire are Mandatory Child Abuse Reporting, Medication Dispensing, CPR, Mandt, Prison Rape Elimination Act and Gentle Self Defense Training.
• Ability to assess emotional and physical needs of youth.
• Bachelor's degree in the social sciences or a related field required.
• Knowledge of Juvenile Code.
• Basic understanding of the social service and juvenile court systems.
• Basic knowledge of drugs (legal and illegal) and their side effects.
• Working knowledge of the social sciences.
• Ability to receive, process and communicate information, orally and in writing.
• Minimum of six (6) months of experience in the care, counseling and management of dependent, neglected and delinquent adolescents within the last five (5) years required, or an equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities within the last five (5) years.
• Ability to function as an effective member of the child care team.
• Must meet requirements and licensing regulations, including; good physical condition and good health evidenced by the ability to pass a County physical examination which includes a drug test after offer of employment; a person who has a record of a criminal conviction or founded child abuse report shall not be employed, unless an evaluation concludes that the crime or founded abuse does not merit prohibition of employment.
• Ability to remain flexible and adapt to changes.
• Ability to demonstrate awareness of the current stresses and problems facing adolescents and a basic understanding of the modern principles and practices involved with addressing these issues.

Friday - Tuesday (Wednesday/Thursday off)
3 p.m. - 11 p.m.