Looking for progressive professionals who empower youth
Strong emphasis on Alcohol and Other Drug Certification and/or experience

This multi-disciplinary, residential, non-secure, treatment facility houses co-ed teen youth from the five county consortium of Lyon, Storey, Douglas, Carson City, and Churchill Counties.  WNRYC is a cognitive-behavioral, therapeutic milieu-based program that combines treatment, education, and accountability.  WNRYC is a modern program and facility and is within commuting distance of eight cities/communities.

Application Deadline:  Continuous

For details and applications on this challenging opportunity call (775) 577-4200, ext. 10; email: ; or visit our web site at www.wnryc.org. or apply using our application form which may be accessed at http://www.wnryc.org/Application.doc

Equal Opportunity Employer
ADA Accommodations Available

Western Nevada Regional Youth Center

GROUP COUNSELOR I / II

DEFINITION:  Supervises the rehabilitation, health care, safety, security, recreation, and daily living activities of minors under care, control, and custody and, as a member of a treatment team, designs, implements, monitors, and assesses results of individualized treatment plans for one or more residents; counsels minors and monitors progress in meeting counseling objectives.

DISTINGUISING CHARACTERISTICS:  Group Counselor I is the entry-level class in the series.  Incumbents initially work under close supervision to learn the procedures and methods of caring for and counseling juveniles.  Incumbents are expected to attain the degree of proficiency necessary for advancement to Group Counselor II normally after one year.  Group Counselor I receives guidance from Group Counselors II and direct supervision from Senior Group Counselor.

Group Counselor II is a full journey level classification in the series.  Incumbents are expected to carry out a wide range of responsible work assignments with a minimum of supervision.  Group Counselor II receives general supervision from Senior Group Counselors and may exercise guidance for Group Counselors I.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:  The duties listed below are examples of the work typically performed by employees in this class.  An employee may not be assigned all duties listed and may be assigned duties which are not listed below.  Marginal duties (shown in italics) are those that are least likely to be essential functions for any single position in this class.

1.      As a member of the treatment team, directly participate in developing, implementing, monitoring, adjusting, and assessing progress and results of individualized treatment plans.  Conducts skills groups basic counseling groups.  Co-facilitates process groups, learns, and teaches client milieu.

2.      Monitor daily activities of juveniles.

3.      Instruct juveniles in the performance of daily personal hygiene and cleaning of living areas.

4.      Make visual checks of minors for health and security purposes; make security checks of buildings and grounds including using video and radio equipment.

5.      Enter information in logs and write incident reports; prepare other reports as required; give and receive information by phone.

6.      Admit and release minors, processing relevant paperwork; advise minors of legal rights.

7.      Defuse potentially threatening behavior; restrain youths physically when necessary.

8.      Perform and/or instruct juveniles in maintenance and housekeeping tasks, including laundry.

9.      Drive an automobile to transport minors.

10.  May be required to perform emergency medical care.

11.  May be delegated special projects and assignments.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR EMPLOYMENT

Knowledge and Ability:

Knowledge of purpose and function of juvenile institutions and the Western Nevada Regional Youth Center; basic principles and techniques in supervision and counseling juveniles.  Group Counselor II must also know operational policies and procedures of the Western Nevada Regional Youth Center and State standards, First Aid, CPR and emergency medical practices and procedures; individual and group counseling techniques; behavioral sciences and behavior modification techniques.  Group facilitation techniques, group counseling, positive peer culture and client milieu program processes.

Ability to learn the policies and procedures of the Western Nevada Regional Youth Center; learn and apply First Aid, CPR and emergency medical practices; communicate effectively orally and in writing; maintain a close working relationship with a wide diversity of people.  In addition, Group Counselors II must be able to control the actions and discipline juveniles; recognize health and behavioral problems in juveniles; effectively respond to emergency or critical situations; be an effective part of a multi-disciplinary treatment team; apply the practices and procedures used in detention, custody, care and clinical treatment of juveniles.

Special Requirements:  Must possess and maintain a valid Nevada State Driver’s License.  All positions at the Western Nevada Regional Youth Center are designated as safety sensitive; individuals filling these positions will be subject to pre-employment drug testing as well as random drug screening while an employee at the facility.  Must pass a background investigation, including a fingerprint check.

Experience and Training/Minimum Qualifications:  Any combination of training, education and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities.  A typical way to gain the required knowledge and ability would be:

Group Counselor I:  A combination of two years experience in supervision or counseling youth and two years college level course work in social or behavioral sciences.

Group Counselor II:  In addition to the requirements of a Group Counselor I, one year experience comparable to that of a Group Counselor I at the Western Nevada Regional Youth Center.

Highly Desirable:  Experience with multi-disciplinary juvenile programs incorporating accountability and treatment modalities.  Also, positive peer culture and client milieu programming.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Strength, stamina and dexterity to sit for up to three hours at a single session, lift objects weighing up to forty pounds, stand and walk for at least eight hours a day in confined and/or noisy work areas; ability to stoop, bend, reach and lift objects above shoulders; perform gripping movement with fingers and hands; hearing to perceive alarms and hold conversations on the phone and in person; eyesight and peripheral vision to read documents in common print size and maintain facility security; operate motor vehicles.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Working conditions can be noisy with some danger of exposure to assaultive behavior and communicable diseases.  Some work is performed outside with significant exposure to heat and cold.

Group Counselor I:  Grade 22

Group Counselor II:  Grade 26

FLSA Status:  Non-Exempt