Youth Counselor

The Youth Counselor Assistant position within the Department of Human Services provides responsible direct services to children and/or families including individual, group, and family counseling, case management, skill-building, activities oversight, and other case or therapeutic services. Work is completed under general supervision and reports to a Human Services Program Supervisor.

The preferred hiring range for this position is between $27.62 - $33.26 an hour ($57,449.60 - $69,180.80 annually). Starting offer is based on applicable education, experience, and internal equity. This full-time, non-exempt position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including 13 paid holidays plus one floating holiday, vacation and sick leave, health insurance with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, gym membership reimbursement, tuition assistance, and professional development opportunities. This position is also eligible for the following retirement benefits:

• Choice of retirement plan: 
  • Defined Benefit Pension Plan: Provides a monthly benefit upon retirement, calculated using a defined formula based on earnings history, years of service, and age. The plan includes a 5-year vesting period and requires an employee contribution of 5% of salary.
  • Defined Contribution 401a Plan: Employer makes fixed contributions to an individual account, which are invested, and returns are credited to the account. The account balance is used to provide retirement benefits. Vesting occurs at 33% after one year, 67% after two years, and 100% after three years of service. No salary contribution is required.
• Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Eligibility to purchase prior service credit under the Defined Benefit Plan

The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system and does not participate in VRS; however, a Portability Agreement is available for eligible employees. For additional details, please refer to the “Benefits” tab within this posting or visit the City’s Employee Benefits webpage.To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The essential functions of the job are not limited to those listed in the job description. The City retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

• Creates and/or participates in the coordination of treatment or assessment planning through informal individual counseling as well as crisis intervention in emergency situations.
• Provides therapeutic structure and provides for the physical and emotional safety of participants while supervising the completion of tasks and activities.
• Performs case management duties, which may include but is not limited to screening for eligibility and coordination with community partners, families, school staff, probation, and social service agencies.
• Provides trauma-supportive and appropriately responsive service.
• Participates in overall program planning, evaluation, and documentation. Maintains case records and prepares reports.
• May develop and/or facilitate, lead, or co-lead various group meetings and/or recreational and educational activities.
• Coordinates with other agency staff on treatment observations and information.
• May testify in court proceedings and makes recommendations to legal authorities.
• Additional responsibilities depending on assigned functional area:
  • Responsibility for support functions such as equipment maintenance, stocking inventory supplies and oversight of vehicle maintenance.
  • Transporting program participants.
• Required to respond upon activation from the City Manager of the Continuity of Operations Plan and/or Emergency Operations Plan. Must have the ability to be contacted and respond based on Department guidelines.
• Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools and other resources, including work time.
• Regular and reliable attendance.

Other Duties

• May provide on-call coverage and respond to emergency situations.
• Performs additional duties to support operational requirements as apparent or assigned.

Education and Experience: Candidates may qualify by demonstrating the required knowledge and skills outlined for the job through experience(s) other than formal education.

• Bachelor’s degree in any field AND some experience working in a Human Services field.

• Associate degree AND 2 years of experience working in a Human Services Field.

• High School Diploma or GED AND 4 years of experience in Human Services Field.

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the specific requirements listed above.

Preferred:

• Experience in the care and treatment of adolescents.
• College coursework in behavioral sciences or human services.
• Directly related experience (case management services) in Virginia within the past 2 years.

Certifications/Licenses/Other Requirements:

• Must obtain and maintain a valid Virginia Driver’s License and acceptable driving record according to City criteria.
• Required to successfully pass a pre-employment background check and pre-employment drug screen.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics: 
Job Knowledge

• Knowledge of counseling and social work principles and practices particularly related to adolescent behavior. 
• General knowledge of community services and facilities available for adolescents. Knowledge of crisis intervention and behavior change techniques.
• Knowledge of human behavior and of the current social, economic and health problems of the community served.

Reading

• Intermediate: Ability to read, understand, and interpret human services policies and regulations and reference materials.

Writing

• Intermediate: Ability to organize data and write explanations and summaries such as data for reports and assessments with proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar, using all parts of speech.

Math

• Basic: Ability to perform basic mathematical functions.

Communication Skills

• Intermediate: Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, families, co-workers, managers, and the public. Ability to provide information and guidance that assists others in making decisions; explains issues and concepts with clarity. Interactions may involve stressful, negative situations requiring tact and the ability to diffuse aggressive behavior and reach consensus. Elements of persuasion may be necessary to gain cooperation and understanding.

Independence and Decision-Making

• Requires General Direction: normally performs the job by following general instructions and established standard operating procedures and/or policies. There is some discretion when making decisions among a few easily identifiable choices.

Technical Skills

• Skilled: practical knowledge of service programs and requirements. Ability to investigate, research, analyze, and measure information or data. Skilled in interviewing techniques and eliciting information from clients. Skill in the use of Microsoft Office applications and department software.

Fiscal Responsibilities

• No budgetary or fiscal responsibilities.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• No responsibility for supervision of others. However, may assist in the training of Youth Counselor Assistants, volunteers, and/or student interns.

Other Characteristics

• Ability to maintain calm under pressure and a fast-paced environment.
• Organization and time management skills.
• Works closely with others as part of a team.
• Work effectively with sensitive and confidential issues and information.
• May be required to work weekends, evenings and/or on-call. 
• May require frequent travel to and from community-based locations. 
• May require dealing with angry, frustrated and/or upset individuals.

Physical Demands:

• Light Work: Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Must occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc. Must constantly position self to maintain files in file cabinet.
• Must be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations
• Ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Machines, Tools, Equipment, Software and Hardware:

• Typically requires use of standard office equipment and telephone, and related software and hardware; and any other equipment as appropriate or as assigned.  

Work Environment:

• Work is performed in an office environment where there may be exposure to computer screen for extended periods of time, monitor glare and dust. 
• Work may also occur in client homes, facilities of other agencies and/or court buildings.
• At times, may be exposed to outdoor weather conditions and temperatures.
• Work may involve threatening and potentially dangerous settings and disturbing circumstances.
• The noise level is typically moderate and may be loud depending on the work site.