As a Youth Development Counselor with the Department of Human Services (DHS), Bureau of Juvenile Justice Services (BJJS), you will help shape the lives of youth who are working toward better futures. This position gives you the opportunity to lead, mentor, and support residents through structured programs and daily challenges. At the North Central Secure Treatment Unit, you will work with committed staff who believe in encouragement and accountability. Choose a career that makes an impact and strengthens young lives.
Watch this video to see how you can make a difference!This position centers on supervising residents, supporting rehabilitation, and guiding social development through structured programs. It involves maintaining safety, providing direction, and helping youth build important life skills. As a Youth Development Counselor, you will perform the following duties:
- Resident Supervision: Monitor residents closely to maintain safety, prevent harm, and support acceptable behavior
- Behavior Management: Respond to emergencies, address inappropriate actions, and determine the need for intervention
- Program Guidance: Lead residents through daily activities, academic efforts, and skill-building routines
- Case Support: Assist with treatment plans, participate in counseling sessions, and communicate progress with involved parties
- Documentation Duties: Prepare reports, maintain files, and record data for required reviews and assessments
- Family Engagement: Encourage and support involvement from families, coordinating communication and participation as needed
Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.
Work Schedule and Additional Information:
- Full-time employment, 40 hours per week
- Work hours staff the North Central Secure Treatment Unit 24-hours per day, 7-days per week, 365-days per year, including holidays and weekends. You will work a 5-day work week with 2 regular days off. Shifts include:
- 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM
- Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
- Salary: Selected candidates who are new to employment with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $64,574.00 (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:
- Four years of experience as a Juvenile Justice Specialist (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
- Three years of experience as a Juvenile Justice Specialist 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 court adjudicated or socially maladjusted individuals in an organized program, and a bachelor’s degree in the behavioral sciences, special education, juvenile justice, or criminal justice; or
- An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes one year of experience in the care, custody, supervision, activities, leadership, or personal guidance of court adjudicated or socially maladjusted individuals 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 a 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.
- All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.
Veterans:
- Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.
Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):
- 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).
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.