This is supervisory youth emergency placement, custody and counseling work directing the activities of subordinate staff engaged in providing placement and health services to clients in group, foster or in-home detention programs as an alternative to secured detention for court- referred youths. Employees in this class supervise the placement of status offenders, and of neglected, abused or dependent youths referred by social workers. Employees in this class are also responsible, through subordinate staff, for overall operational activities in the areas of youth intake and counseling services, placement, and behavior monitoring. Supervising counselors and social workers, and meeting with dependent or delinquent children and youths, their parents or guardians, child care agency officials, probation officers and representatives of family court to discuss the problems and progress of children and youths and to insure the provision of proper care are significant aspects of the work. Work is performed under the direction of the Community Shelter Program Administrator.

• Supervises a staff of counselors and social workers responsible for conducting intake interviews, recommending detention placements, and monitoring detained youths' behavior; monitors and reviews services provided by contracted agencies to insure that youths receive proper counseling and care; instructs counselors and social workers in counseling and crisis intervention techniques; recommends changes to comply with legal and contract requirements and social service principles and practices.
• Meets with supervisors of child care agencies providing community detention to resolve individual youth's behavioral and medical problems; visits and observes child care agencies to evaluate staffing and supervision; insures that agency provides required health, educational and recreational services; reports deficiencies.
• Meets with community groups to explain the community-based emergency shelter program and secure their support and cooperation.
• Informs social workers, parents, guardians, public defenders, lawyers, district attorneys, probation officers and officials of family court of the needs and progress of youths in the program.
• Arranges in-service training programs and conducts classes to develop the skills of counselors and child care agency staff.
• Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

• modern detention and protective care methods related to the field of Youth Detention Care.
• social work principles and practices as they apply to the care and custody of delinquent youths and of youths with family or emotional problems.
• the social and emotional factors which result in the institutionalization of youth.
• the community and social resources available for delinquent youths.
• the organization and operation of the juvenile justice system.
• supervisory methods and techniques.

SKILL IN:

• interviewing techniques.

ABILITY TO:

• supervise the work of a staff of social workers and counselors and to monitor child care agencies providing community detention.
• recommend and implement policies and procedures to develop and maintain a flexible program meeting the needs of youths and the community.
• express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.
• gain the cooperation and confidence of delinquent youths, parents, and community groups.
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with institutional, welfare, and legal agencies.

EDUCATION

• Completion of a master's degree program at an accredited college or university, with major course work in social work, sociology, counseling, or psychology.

• Two years of youth counseling or social work experience working with youths, one year of which has been at the full performance level providing delinquent youth emergency placement, custody, and counseling services.

PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

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

PAY RANGE: EP21
Class Established: 10/1988

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