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Job Description

YOUTH COUNSELOR

JOB CODE 07220

Effective Date:	12/92X

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

The fundamental reason this class exists is to provide programs for low-income youth and counseling for individuals to identify and solve complex personal and family problems. Participants are either directed to a Youth Center or referred from school or social service agencies. A Youth Counselor maintains a caseload of clients and coordinates service efforts by various agencies and institutions. When individuals are referred to community resources, the Counselor ensures that appropriate services are provided. The Youth Counselor keeps caseload records and provides direct activities at a Youth Center. Performance is evaluated by a Recreation Coordinator through conferences, observations, reports and evaluation of results.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Counsels youth referred to the program as minor offenders and delinquents;
• Conducts investigations and analysis of personal, family and social problems of program participants;
• Screens youth to determine eligibility for project services at Youth Center;
• Maintains caseload of clients who have complex personal and family problems;
• Records individual client's personal history, problems and the particular actions recommended or taken;
• Refers individuals to appropriate agencies and programs needed by the client;
• Follows through on referrals to ensure that appropriate services are provided;
• Works with family and friends of clients to advise of problems and gain support;
• Visits individuals in their homes;
• Provides transportation to other locations to obtain services;
• Prepares reports for determination of eligibility, treatment plan, and monthly progress of each client;
• Demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless customer service.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Individual and group counseling techniques.
• Community resources available for the youth.
• Problems and special needs for low-income youth.
• Inner city family, economics and social system.

Ability to:

• Relate to the problems of low-income youth and assist individuals in identifying and solving their problems.
• Communicate orally by telephone or in a one-to-one or group setting.
• Coordinate program with other social service resources.
• Maintain client records and complete reports.
• Organize and plan group projects.
• Produce documents written in the English language using proper sentence construction, punctuation, and grammar.
• Counsel clients and parents.
• Work safely without presenting a direct threat to self or others.

Additional Requirements:

• Some positions require the use of personal or City vehicles on City business. Individuals must be physically capable of operating the vehicles safely, possess a valid driver's license and have an acceptable driving record. Use of a personal vehicle for City business will be prohibited if the employee is not authorized to drive a City vehicle or if the employee does not have personal insurance coverage.
• Some positions will require the performance of other essential and marginal functions depending upon work location, assignment, or shift.

ACCEPTABLE EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:
Three years of experience in anti-poverty or community service counseling work. Other combinations of experience and education that meet the minimum requirements may be substituted.