YOUTH GUIDANCE SPECIALIST

BASIC PURPOSE:

Positions in this job family are involved in providing direct care and supervision to youthful offenders in a state operated facility of the juvenile justice system. This will include providing paraprofessional guidance and counseling to clients, interventions to control aggressive behaviors, documentation of behaviors and activities, and maintaining a presence at the facility in order to monitor and moderate client behavior and activity.

TYPICAL functions:

The functions within this job family will vary by level, but may include the following:

· Performs routine duties in care, custody, education and treatment of juvenile offenders.

· Manages aggressive and non-aggressive behavior through verbal and physical intervention using prescribed and approved techniques.

· Observes, records and reports health symptoms, behavior and activity of residents.

· Provides paraprofessional counseling and instruction to residents by directing their daily activities, maintaining order, providing support, and helping them develop and achieve personal goals.

· Serves as a group leader by reviewing and assessing the adjustment and functioning of a group of residents.

· Inspects living quarters to ensure health and safety standards are being met; conducts searches to locate contraband.

· Controls movement of residents to and from living quarters for activities and off-campus appointments.

· Serves on a treatment team to review residents’ progress, treatment and educational plans.

LEVEL DESCRIPTORS:

The Youth Guidance Specialist job family has four levels, which are distinguished by the complexity of assignments, the level of expertise required to perform the duties assigned, and the responsibility assigned for providing leadership to others.

LEVEL I Code: Z51A Salary Band: E

This is the entry level of the job family where employees are responsible for performing routine entry level duties in a training status to build their skills in providing resident supervision and in managing, observing and recording behavior of residents. In this role they will attend orientation and training to learn policy, practices and procedures utilized in the residential and community service treatment programs of the juvenile justice system.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required to perform duties at this level include knowledge of basic human physical and psychological needs; of basic first aid methods; of the format used in preparing daily progress and behavior reports; of crisis intervention techniques; and of simple health and safety precautions. Ability is required to interact with juveniles; to follow oral and written instructions; to communicate effectively; and to work with residents of various racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Skill is required to physically deal with escapees and violent or unruly students.

Education & Experience requirements at this level consist of eligible applicants must be at least 21 years of age and possess a high school diploma or its equivalent (10 O.S. Section 401 et seq.).

LEVEL II Code: Z51B Salary Band: F

This is the career level of the job family where employees are assigned duties and responsibilities at the full performance level in the education and treatment of youthful offenders. This includes providing resident supervision, implementing group and individual treatment plans and developing constructive relationships with residents, coworkers and other treatment team members. Positions will be assigned duties involving responsible and sometimes hazardous disciplinary guidance and security work.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include the knowledge and skills included in Level I plus knowledge of principles and practices of behavior problems associated with dependent or delinquent juveniles; of methods and practices of household management; of health and safety precautions; of group therapy and practices; of environments and events that impact the problems of youth in custody; and of the statutes and agency policies concerning care of residents. Ability is required to exercise good judgment in the evaluation of situations and in making decisions; and establish and maintain good working relationships with others.

Education & Experience requirements at this level consist of those identified at Level I and the completion of thirty semester hours from an accredited college or university; or one year of experience working with juveniles in a residential care and treatment center.

LEVEL III Code: Z51C Salary Band: G

This is the leadership level of the job family, where employees are assigned to a residential unit as a shift supervisor on a designated shift. This includes coordinating and supervising the activities of the juveniles in the unit, implementing group and individual treatment plans, and developing constructive relationships with residents and other treatment team members. These positions will be assigned responsibility for the supervision of other Youth Guidance Specialists, including assigning, planning and organizing work, providing training, and evaluating performance. Some positions may provide direct supervision which includes additional responsibilities for employee development, approving leave and initiating disciplinary actions, as well as performing related administrative functions.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include those identified in Level II plus knowledge of the supervisory principles and practices, and ability is required to efficiently organize and supervise the work of others.

Education & Experience requirements at this level consist of those identified at Level II and the completion of thirty semester hours from an accredited college or university and one year of experience working with juveniles in a residential care and treatment center; or an equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting one year of qualifying experience for each thirty semester hours of the required education.

NOTE: There is no substitution for the required one year of experience working with juveniles in a residential care and treatment center.

LEVEL IV Code: Z51D Salary Band: H

At this level employees are responsible for planning, organizing and directing staff activities in a 24-hour residential facility in the juvenile justice system. This includes directing the operations of the facility, participating as a member of treatment teams, making recommendations concerning development and implementation of treatment and education plans for residents, and assisting in the promotion and implementation of the overall program.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include those identified in Level III plus knowledge of administrative principles and practices.

Education & Experience requirements at this level consist of those identified at Level III plus one additional year of qualifying experience.

NOTE: There is no substitution for the required two years of experience working with juveniles in a residential care and treatment center.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

At the time of employment, applicants must possess a valid Oklahoma Driver License.

Applicants must be willing and able to perform all job-related travel.

Applicants must be willing and able to work overtime and to work on shifts.

Duties require employees to stand and walk for prolonged periods and to have the ability to physically restrain residents using approved restraint techniques.

Applicants must be able to lift 50 pounds.

Employees must pass all training requirements for sole supervision of residents, i.e. first aid certification, CPR and restraint training.