Youth Services Behavioral Specialist

Class Concept

These positions provide counseling and therapeutic intervention while supervising juvenile offenders housed in a youth development center, the most restrictive, intensive dispositional option available to North Carolina's juvenile courts. Positions ensure the safety and security of juveniles and staff at all times while serving as a member of a therapeutic treatment team. Positions provide skills training and counseling to youth by following a highly structured protocol. Positions supervise and monitor juveniles' behavior in order to promote rehabilitation and successful reintegration into the community. Positions are responsible for implementing individual and group treatment plans to effect behavioral changes required for youthful offender rehabilitation while providing security, controlling and maintaining custody, and safeguarding juveniles from each other.

Recruitment Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Basic knowledge and understanding of various cultures, group dynamics, techniques of communicating with adolescents, and behavioral and developmental challenges and their treatment
• Basic knowledge of the methods and procedures of discipline and rehabilitation of juveniles
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of staff
• Ability to communicate effectively with juveniles, families, and other treatment team members to explain the behavior and progress of the juvenile and establish rapport with juveniles
• Skilled in the application of crisis intervention techniques and emergency treatment procedures

Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree from an appropriately accredited institution; or High school or General Educational Development (GED) diploma and four years of related human services experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Necessary Special Requirements

Applicants for positions designated as Juvenile Justice Officers are subject to and must meet the hiring and training standards established by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission, as defined in Title 12, Chapter 9 of the NC Administrative Code, by the statutory authority of GS 17C.