CLASS CODE: 5955
PAY GRADE: 018

CLASS TITLE:SENIOR CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES COUNSELOR

ALLOCATION FACTOR(S)

This is professional counseling work characterized by a client/counselor relationship with children, youth and/or their families having complex needs resulting from behavioral, emotional and/or developmental problems in one or more of the following areas: (1) adoptive and related services; (2) foster care programs; (3) protective services; (4) pre-protective services; (5) community control and furlough programs; (6) child care services; or (7) licensing child day care centers, foster homes, or emergency shelter family homes. Work also includes providing special review and consultation for complex cases.

EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED:

(Note: The examples of work as listed in this class specification are not necessarily descriptive of any one position in the class. The omission of specific statements does not preclude management from assigning specific duties not listed herein if such duties are a logical assignment to the position. Examples of work performed are not to be used for allocation purposes.)

  • Investigates and analyzes case history and legal grounds to prepare reports and make recommendations to the courts regarding adoptions, custody disputes, and/or placement in foster or group homes.
  • Counsels children to help them understand the reasons for the adoption or foster care placement.
  • Conducts pre-placement visits with the adoptive or foster care parents.
  • Consults with the attorney representing the agency and attends all permanent commitment (adoption) court hearings.
  • Counsels the natural parents whose child(ren) has been placed in a foster care setting to effect family reunification.
  • Counsels foster parents regarding child discipline techniques and the child's particular problem(s).
  • Provides post-placement counseling to children formerly in the foster care system and to their parents.
  • Completes required social, legal, medical investigative and detention screening work relating to pre-protective services, protective services, dependency, delinquency, and abuse.
  • Interviews parents, guardians, and other persons having knowledge of dependency, delinquency, or abuse situations.
  • Conducts home visits, conferences with children, and counseling with parents of children who have been referred to the agency for dependency while they remain in their home.
  • Conducts and prepares necessary studies required by the Juvenile Court in making dispositional determinations on children brought before the court.
  • Counsels and supervises children placed on community control and furlough.
  • Participates in court and/or administrative hearings concerning the detention, arraignment, trial, and disposition of youths.
  • Evaluates and identifies problems of families, assesses their needs, and provides guidance and counseling to improve family functioning.
  • Completes investigations and makes recommendations in accordance with Florida Statutes for the licensing and relicensing of all child caring facilities and/or child placing agencies, foster homes, and/or group or emergency shelter family homes.
  • Makes field visits to child day care, foster care, and/or group or emergency shelter homes to ensure continual compliance with the state regulations.
  • Provides special review and consultation for complex cases.
  • Performs related work as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

(Note: The knowledge, skills and abilities (KSA's) identified in this class specification represent those needed to perform the duties of this class. Additional knowledge, skills and abilities may be applicable for individual positions in the employing agency.)

  • Knowledge of theories and practices in counseling or social work.
  • Knowledge of professional ethics relating to counseling or social work.
  • Knowledge of interviewing techniques.
  • Ability to conduct social, legal and medical investigations.
  • Ability to complete assessments and develop plans for individual cases.
  • Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
  • Ability to actively listen to others.
  • Ability to communicate effectively.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

  • A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and two years of professional counseling experience in one or more of the following areas: adoption and related services; foster care; protective services; community control and furlough; counseling in a group treatment facility; pre-protective services; child day care; and/or intake; or
  • A bachelor's degree in social work from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education; or a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework and supervised educational internship directly relating to child welfare; assessment of troubled children and families; child and family intervention; provision of professional social services; and evaluation of intervention outcomes can substitute for one year of the required experience in Children, Youth and Families programs; or
  • A master's degree from an accredited college or university can substitute for one year of the required experience; or a master's degree in social work from a school accredited by the Council on Social Work Education; or
  • A master's degree in a related field from an accredited college or university with major coursework and supervised educational internship directly relating to child welfare; assessment of troubled children and families; child and family intervention; provision of professional social services; and evaluation of intervention outcomes can substitute for the required experience in Children, Youth and Families programs.
  • In addition to the above requirements, Florida Statute 985 requires any person employed in this class at the Department of Juvenile Justice must:
  • 1. Be at least 19 years of age.
  • 2. Be a high school graduate or its equivalent as determined by the commission.
  • 3. Not have been convicted of any felony or a misdemeanor involving perjury or a false statement, or have received a dishonorable discharge from any of the Armed Forces of the United States. Any person who, after September 30, 1999, pleads guilty or nolo contendere to or is found guilty of any felony or a misdemeanor involving perjury or false statement is not eligible for employment, notwithstanding suspension of sentence or withholding of adjudication. Notwithstanding this subparagraph, any person who pleads nolo contendere to a misdemeanor involving a false statement before October 1, 1999, and who has had such record of that plea sealed or expunged is not ineligible for employment for that reason.
  • 4. Abide by all the provisions of s. 985.01(2) regarding fingerprinting and background investigations and other screening requirements for personnel.
  • 5. Execute and submit to the department an affidavit-of-application form, adopted by the department, attesting to his or her compliance with subparagraphs 1. through 4. The affidavit must be executed under oath and constitutes an official statement under s. 837.06. The affidavit must include conspicuous language that the intentional false execution of the affidavit constitutes a misdemeanor of the second degree. The employing agency shall retain the affidavit.

EFFECTIVE:

1/13/2000

HISTORY:

05/20/1991

03/20/1990

02/11/1986