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 approved for this class.)

• The position must supervise a group of Youth Detention Counselors engaged in providing security, counseling and residential care to youths in a detention facility.
• The position must maintain accountability, security, and discipline and ensure constructive counseling of youths in a detention facility.

• 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; 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.

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.

• 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.

EDUCATION

• Completion of at least 60 credit hours of study at an accredited college or university which has included at least nine credit hours in social work, secondary education, criminal justice or a related behavioral science field.

• Two years of experience counseling, teaching, supervising or directing groups of youths.

• Two years of experience, at the full performance level, counseling, teaching, supervising or directing groups of youths in an institution for the care, custody and detention of delinquent youths.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this class.

Pennsylvania Act 33 of 1985 requires State criminal record and central registrar reports prior to appointment to positions in this class having responsibility for direct child care.

PAY RANGE: EP15
Class Established: 3/1975

Latest Spec. Revision:
 CSC - 8/1996 ; Ad Board - 11/1996

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