Justice Youth Counselor - Guide, Mentor, and Empower At-Risk Youth

🎯 Role Definition

As a Justice Youth Counselor, you are the front-line agent of change. You will be responsible for creating a safe, structured, and therapeutic environment for justice-involved youth. Your primary mission is to foster personal growth, accountability, and successful reintegration into the community by implementing individualized treatment plans, providing crisis intervention, and serving as a positive role model. You will be a key player in a multi-disciplinary team dedicated to breaking cycles of recidivism and empowering youth to build a new path forward.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Youth Care Worker
Behavioral Health Technician
Social Work Intern
Residential Aide

Advancement To:

Senior or Lead Youth Counselor
Shift Supervisor
Program Manager
Clinical Case Manager
Juvenile Probation Officer

Lateral Moves:

School-based Behavior Specialist
Family Support Worker
Community Outreach Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Provide constant, direct, line-of-sight supervision and active behavioral management for youth in residential, detention, or community-based settings to ensure a safe and secure environment for all.
Develop, implement, and meticulously monitor individualized case plans and treatment goals in close collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team, including probation officers, social workers, and therapists.
Conduct engaging one-on-one and dynamic group counseling sessions utilizing evidence-based practices such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing, and trauma-informed care principles.
Document all client interactions, progress, incidents, and behavioral observations with meticulous detail in the official case management system, ensuring full compliance with state and facility regulations.
Mediate conflicts between youth using restorative justice principles and proven de-escalation techniques to teach pro-social conflict resolution and communication skills.
Facilitate a structured schedule of daily living activities, therapeutic recreational programs, and psycho-educational groups designed to build essential life skills, social skills, and emotional regulation.
Act as an unwavering positive role model and mentor, intentionally building rapport and trust with youth from diverse and often challenging backgrounds.
Perform immediate and effective crisis intervention and respond decisively to emergencies, including behavioral escalations, medical situations, and security threats, by strictly following established protocols.
Transport youth safely and securely to and from court appointments, medical visits, family visits, and other required community-based activities.
Communicate proactively and professionally with families, guardians, and external stakeholders to provide updates on youth progress and coordinate a seamless continuum of care.
Administer and accurately document prescribed medications according to strict medical protocols and physician's orders, maintaining precise logs.
Conduct routine and random security checks, room searches, and contraband inspections to maintain the absolute safety, security, and integrity of the facility.
Prepare detailed, objective, and professionally written incident reports, behavioral assessments, and progress notes for use in court hearings and treatment team meetings.
Assist youth in identifying and pursuing academic and vocational goals, coordinating with on-site teachers or external educational programs to support their development.
Uphold and enforce all facility rules, policies, and procedures consistently and fairly to create a structured, predictable, and therapeutic environment.
Guide and coach youth in personal hygiene, chore completion, and the maintenance of their living quarters to instill a sense of personal responsibility and pride.
Assess and identify potential signs of abuse, neglect, or self-harm, and report them immediately to the appropriate authorities and supervisors according to mandated reporter laws.
Engage youth in forward-thinking goal-setting activities, helping them to envision and create actionable plans for a successful future post-release.
Collaborate with probation officers and case managers to develop and actively support comprehensive aftercare and community re-entry plans.
Testify clearly and confidently in court proceedings regarding a youth's behavior, progress, and compliance with their individualized treatment plan.

Secondary Functions

Support program development by providing feedback and observations from the front lines to help improve therapeutic and recreational activities.
Contribute to community outreach efforts by representing the organization at local events or meetings to build positive stakeholder relationships.
Collaborate with the clinical team to review and refine treatment modalities and program curricula based on youth outcomes and feedback.
Participate actively in peer-led case consultations and team meetings to share insights and foster a collaborative and supportive work environment.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Case Management & Documentation: Proficient in maintaining accurate, detailed, and timely electronic and paper case files in compliance with legal and agency standards.
Crisis Intervention & De-escalation: Certified or highly experienced in non-violent crisis intervention techniques (e.g., CPI, MANDT, TCI).
Behavioral Management Systems: Knowledge of implementing and maintaining behavioral modification systems, such as token economies or level systems.
Report Writing: Ability to write clear, objective, and professional reports for legal, clinical, and administrative review.
Juvenile Justice System Knowledge: Strong understanding of court procedures, terminology, and the legal rights of minors.
First Aid/CPR Certification: Current certification and the ability to respond calmly and effectively to medical emergencies.
Medication Administration Protocols: Verifiable experience in accurately dispensing, tracking, and logging medication.

Soft Skills

Empathy & Compassion: An authentic ability to connect with and understand the perspectives of youth from diverse and traumatic backgrounds.
Resilience & Composure: The capacity to remain calm, patient, and professional under high-stress, rapidly changing, and volatile situations.
Strong Professional Boundaries: The critical skill of maintaining a professional, therapeutic relationship without becoming enmeshed or compromised.
High-Impact Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effectively interacting with youth, families, courts, and colleagues.
Conflict Resolution & Mediation: A natural ability to effectively mediate disputes and guide individuals toward peaceful, mutually agreeable solutions.
Cultural Competency: A deep awareness and respect for cultural, ethnic, socioeconomic, and individual differences and a commitment to equitable practices.
Advanced Observational Skills: A keen ability to observe and accurately interpret non-verbal cues, group dynamics, and subtle changes in behavior.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university is required.

Preferred Education:

A Master's degree in a relevant field is highly preferred.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Social Work
Criminal Justice or Criminology
Psychology or Sociology
Human Services

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

1-3 years of direct, hands-on experience working with at-risk adolescents, or in a corrections, detention, or residential treatment setting.

Preferred:

We have a strong preference for candidates with direct experience working with justice-involved youth, a solid grounding in trauma-informed care practices, and familiarity with evidence-based therapeutic models.