PAY RANGE: N15
JUVENILE DETENTION COUNSELOR SUPERVISOR
GENERAL DEFINITION
This is youth custody and counseling work supervising a group of subordinates engaged in providing security, counseling and residential care to youths in a detention facility. An employee in this class is responsible for a wing in the detention living area or other areas, such as gym, school rooms, or cafeteria. Employees monitor the interaction of subordinate staff and youths to ensure that security and discipline are maintained and that constructive counseling of youths is provided by subordinates. Employees are in direct contact with staff and/or residents in area of responsibility at all times. Assuring that activities in a wing or area of responsibility conform to mandated State, American Correctional Association, departmental and divisional regulations, policies and standards mandated, are of major significance to the work.
Work is performed under the general supervision of a higher-level youth detention superior.
ALLOCATING FACTORS: (The following conditions must be met for a position to be allocated to this class.)
1. The position must supervise a group of Juvenile Detention Counselors engaged in providing security, counseling and residential care to youths in a detention facility.
2. The position must maintain accountability, security, and discipline and ensure constructive counseling of youths in a detention facility.
TYPICAL EXAMPLES OF WORK (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY)
Supervises a group of subordinate detention counselors engaged in providing security, counseling, and residential care to youths in a detention facility; prepares weekly work schedule for subordinates; modifies work schedule as needed to provide for the most adequate coverage with the staff available; monitors area activities on-site at all times, overseeing subordinate staff as well as facility residents; checks area activity logs regularly, including room restriction and isolation logs, to ensure they are properly annotated and maintained; files and routes all logs to supervisor or shift manager's office.
Observes subordinates and youths in assigned area; instructs staff in proper methods and procedure of detention; directs staff in conducting daily room shakedowns; maintains behavior management system and point accounts; moves with wing to non-living areas such as school rooms, gymnasiums or cafeteria; monitors activities of subordinates and youths during assigned tour; provides individual counseling to youths with behavioral problems; inspects living areas for cleanliness; reviews incident reports for thoroughness; prepares monthly reports on staff activities and performance; coordinates daily wing or area activities with other units or facility; escorts and/or drives youth to various locations outside the Center for medical and psychological health appointments while maintaining security measures dictated by policy and training, as necessary; prepares requests for materials and supplies.
Prepares monthly reports on subordinates' activities and performance; monitors and approves employee time records; monitors employee attendance; checks and approves sick-time and vacations; instructs subordinates in the principles and procedures of delinquent youth care as mandated by the State, American Correctional Association, and the department.
Performs related work as required.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
KNOWLEDGE OF:
• behavior patterns which are symptoms of illness or emotional stress in youths
• group work principles and methods as they apply to delinquent youths
• the social factors which result in institutionalization and of the attitudes and habits of youths in custody or protective care
• all phases of modern detention or protective care methods related to the specialized field of temporary youth care
• the organization and operation of the municipal courts
ABILITY TO:
• work and communicate with delinquent youths
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff workers and the general public
• observe, understand and report behavioral problems of youths and to recommend corrective actions
• keep records and prepare clear and concise reports
• maintain a sympathetic attitude towards juveniles with social and emotional problems
• supervise subordinate counselors engaged in monitoring and controlling detained youths
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 5/24.)
EDUCATION:
Completion of 60 credit hours of study at an accredited college or university.
AND
GENERAL EXPERIENCE:
Two years of experience counseling, teaching, supervising or directing groups of youths.
AND
SPECIFIC EXPERIENCE:
Two years of experience as a Juvenile Detention Counselor 2 or equivalent.
Any equivalent combination of education and experience determined to be acceptable by the Office of Human Resources that has included the specific experience described above.
NOTE: Employees in the Juvenile Detention Counselor Series of classes with permanent civil service status hired under the waiver effective October 1st, 2022, under PA Code, Chapter 3800 CHILD RESIDENTIAL AND DAY TREATMENT FACILITIES are not required to have the 60 college credits.
NOTE: Child Protective Service Law requires FBI criminal history background check as well as the Pennsylvania State Police criminal history background check and Pennsylvania child abuse background check as a condition of initial employment to the class and during tenure of employment.
NOTE: If the FBI/Pennsylvania State Police criminal background checks reveal the existence of a disqualifying offense, additional documentation must be submitted as required by the City of Philadelphia to determine eligibility for appointment to or continued employment in the class under the Child Protective Services Law.
PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND/OR CERTIFICATES
Possession of a valid proper class motor vehicle operator's licenses issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania prior to appointment and during tenure as an employee in this class and series.
Class Established - 3/75
Spec. Revision:
CSC - 1/11
Spec. Revision:
CSC – 08/19
Ad. Board – 09/19
Spec. Revision:
CSC – 10/21
Ad. Board – 11/21
Latest Spec. Revision:
CSC – 4/22
Ad. Board – 5/22
Latest Spec. Revision:
CSC – 4/24
Ad. Board – 5/24
JA