THIS IS A CITYWIDE EXAM
San Francisco is a vibrant and dynamic city, on the forefront of economic growth & innovation, urban development, arts & entertainment, as well as social issues & change. This rich tapestry of culture and ideas is sustained by our City's commitment to heighten the quality of life for the diverse population of San Franciscans and residents of the greater Bay Area. Our employees play an important role not only in making our City what it is today, but also in shaping the future of San Francisco.
Are you passionate about Juvenile Justice, Public Safety, and the Community we serve? Are you a dedicated professional who wants to maximize their impact in the lives of some of San Francisco’s most marginalized youth? If so, we encourage you to take advantage of this unique opportunity to join a team that is devoted to re-imagining Juvenile Justice, committed to racial equity, and focused on ensuring long-term public safety through the development, enrichment, and accountability of young people we serve throughout San Francisco. Click here to read more about the San Francisco Juvenile Probation Department (JPD).
The San Francisco Juvenile Probation Department’s mission is to serve the needs of youth and families who are brought to our attention with care and compassion. We engage fiscally sound and culturally competent strategies that promote the best interests of the youth, and provide victims with opportunities for restoration.
Our equity-centered goals are to:
- Reimagine how the City addresses juvenile crime, from referral through reentry, in collaboration with the community and our system partners, emphasizing research and evidence-based practices, and sustainably addressing pervasive racial disparities throughout the system.
- Advance a Whole Family Engagement strategy that places racial equity at its center to ensure that all youth have equal access to successful outcomes, and that advances youth-and family-centered case plans and goal development, with the supports and resources necessary to help justice-involved youth thrive.
- Bolster equitable leadership development opportunities for BIPOC staff; implement change that meaningfully improves the workplace experience of BIPOC staff; enact our organizational belief of redemption and helping people to succeed.
Under general supervision, the Juvenile Hall Counselor is responsible for the care, custody, safety and welfare of young people detained at Juvenile Hall.
Essential duties include, but are not limited to:
1. Observes behavior of detainees in an assigned living unit; directs detainees in the upkeep of personal hygiene, during mealtimes, and while cleaning the unit; maintains appropriate close supervision over detainees to prevent negative incidents; provides appropriate discipline; consults with supervisors regarding disciplinary problems; conducts regular state mandated security checks of rooms; monitors visiting sessions to ensure the safety and security of detainees and counselors.
2. Inspects windows, locks doors when not in use, and keeps count of all detainees assigned to the unit; administers emergency first aid pending the arrival of medical staff; responds to emergency conditions which may require physically subduing and restraining hostile detainees to ensure the safety and security of the unit and the facilities.
3. Completes incident reports, behavior reports, individual case reports, and other departmental forms and reports; maintains the unit log book to ensure adherence to legal requirements. Maintains and updates electronic databases and case management systems.
4. Conducts ongoing individual and group counseling sessions with detainees by communicating rules, policies, expectations, and consequences; listens and responds to questions, concerns, complaints, and requests; provides assistance in working out problems to assist detainees.
5. Directs leisure time activities; teaches and encourages good sportsmanship.
6. Transports residents to and from various locations; directs and controls residents’ movement to ensure the safety and security of the residents.
7. Facilitates the admittance and release process of residents.
8. Confers with departmental personnel and representatives of outside agencies.
Working Conditions:
Individuals must be willing and able to respond to emergency conditions, which may involve physically subduing and restraining hostile youth and young adults who often have the size and strength of adults. Vision and hearing must be sufficient to perform the duties of the position. May involve considerable amounts of standing, walking and/or when necessary, running. This includes the ability to lift and/or move with assistance objects weighing up to 50 lbs or more. The Counselor may be assigned to work day, swing and graveyard shifts, holidays and weekends.
