Youth Development Counselor, Youth Forestry Camp 3, Huntingdon County

Are you looking for a fulfilling opportunity to offer specialized professional counseling within a secure, supportive, and structured environment that fosters personal growth and lasting success? The Department of Human Services, Bureau of Juvenile Justice Services (BJJS), Youth Forestry Camp #3, is seeking dedicated Youth Development Counselors to develop and implement effective individual treatment plans for court-adjudicated youth, driving positive changes in behavior. We are looking for counselors who are ready to intervene in crises and challenging situations to prevent harmful behaviors while holding both others and ourselves accountable. This role requires a commitment to working with a diverse population of some of the most vulnerable, challenging, and often disrespectful court-adjudicated youth in Pennsylvania, alongside a genuine desire to help them transform their behavior and become productive citizens. Apply today and take the first step toward a rewarding and impactful career!

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In this position, you will engage directly with court-adjudicated youths who require guidance, instruction, treatment, and specialized services in a secure or restricted environment. You will be responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring individualized treatment plans, which include individual, group, and family counseling sessions. Your work will involve assessing and counseling young people on their thought processes, actions, and personal issues, helping them gain insight into responsible behaviors and attitudes. In crisis situations, you will intervene to maintain order, using verbal and physical strategies to address disruptive, emotionally unstable, and suicidal behaviors. You may also need to apply appropriate physical restraint techniques to prevent escapes, manage aggression, and ensure a safe and secure environment. Training will be provided. Additionally, you will guide social and emotional development by role-modeling values and ideals, inspiring a genuine desire in young people to change their behaviors.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 40-hour work week
• Work hours will be determined through shift work in a 24/7/365 operation, including weekends and holidays. Shifts are 8 hours with no duty-free lunch. Shifts may vary but normally consist of 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM, and 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM. You will work a 5-day work week with 2 days off.
• Travel: As needed
• Overtime: As needed, including both voluntary and potentially mandatory overtime.
• May change based on operational needs.
• You must be willing to accept employment at Youth Forestry Camp 3 and commute to this location in James Creek, Huntingdon County.
• Salary: Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $61,903.00 (before taxes).
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Five years of experience as a Youth Development Aide (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• Four years of experience as a Youth Development Aide Supervisor (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• One year of experience in the care, custody, supervision, activities, leadership or personal guidance of delinquent, pre-delinquent or socially maladjusted youth in an organized program, and a bachelor's degree in the behavioral sciences, special education, juvenile delinquency, or criminal justice; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training which included one year of experience in the care, custody, supervision, activities, leadership or personal guidance of delinquent, pre-delinquent or socially maladjusted youth in an organized program.

Other Requirements:

• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• A conditional offer of employment will require a medical examination and drug screening.
• This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law.
  • Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

Veterans:

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.