Deputy Director, Planning & Sustainability

The Deputy Director, Planning & Sustainability at DeKalb County Government in Decatur, GA, is responsible for supervising and caring for children, documenting their behavior and needs, and providing guidance in life and social skills. This temporary position requires availability for 8-hour shifts, including weekends and mandatory training. Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. Applications must be submitted in person with required education documentation.
Description

The Children's Counselor performs routine care and child supervision duties such as observing and documenting behavior, development, and needs of the children; works with a team to meet individual and group needs and intervenes with children experiencing behavior or emotional difficulties; instructs children in basic life and social skills.

This is a temporary extra help position. Applicants must be available to work 8 hour shifts (example: 7am to 3pm, 3pm to 11pm or 11pm to 7am) and at least 2 weekends per month. Evening shifts and weekend shifts are mandatory.

New on-call counselors must attend a 2-day orientation prior to a work assignment. The orientation is scheduled during normal business hours (typically 8am-5pm). On-call counselors must also be available to attend various mandatory training courses scheduled during regular business hours.

Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply. If considered to receive a bilingual differential, the pay is based on each hour worked. A bilingual differential is paid to qualifying applicants who successfully pass the bilingual examination.

Application Process

Resumes will not be accepted. To apply, complete a County Job Application (available at sccgov.org under Employment Opportunities) and submit with a copy of your college transcripts or degree showing required education to:

Santa Clara County Children's Shelter

4525 Union Avenue

San Jose, CA 95124

Attention: Edith Lightfoot

Applications submitted without required education verification will not be considered.

For Questions Regarding This Position Contact

Edith Lightfoot

(408) 558-5452

lighte@ssa.sccgov.org

Employment Standards

The following list represents typical tasks performed by the Children's Counselor. This list is not all inclusive.
• Provides the primary teaching, guidance, and counseling of children in areas of personal hygiene, care of personal and shelter property, social skills, and general problem solving skills.
• Intervenes in crisis situations and directs such interventions in order to help resolve the crisis in the least restrictive fashion. Calls for supervisory support, when necessary.
• Observes, assesses, and documents individual and group behavior and needs. Works with cottage team to met individual and group needs.
• Conducts group or individual counseling whether regularly scheduled or as needed to assist children with learning important social and problem solving skills.
• Assists with admitting or releasing tasks and the orientation of children to the shelter.
• Consistently implements the shelter program of care and counseling in working with the children. May assist in providing technical guidance regarding the shelter program to Associate Children's Counselors, volunteers, and contract workers.
• Protects all children from abuse, harassment, ridicule, or other forms of mistreatment by other. Reports all suspected child abuse in accordance with California law.
• Plans and directs recreational and social activities with the children.
• Prepares necessary and assigned documentation such as incident reports, maintenance requests, cottage log, and outing requests.
• Assists in the routine organization, care, and maintenance of the shelter facilities and property. Submits maintenance requests, when necessary.
• Assists children with the care and protection of their belongings that are brought to the cottage.
• Administers first aid in emergency situations.
• Transports children in county vehicles to and from outside activities and events.
• Performs basic infant and child care such as bathing, diapering, preparing formulas and feedings, and sees that children are dressed appropriately.
• Participates in meetings or staffings related to their assignment.
• Provides recommendations and assistance in carrying out the mission of the shelter.
• Performs all other related duties as required.

Physical Requirements

An acceptable candidate for the position of Children's Counselor must have the following experience and education:

Two (2) years of college (60 semester units) including eighteen (18) units in the behavioral sciences such as psychology, education, social work, sociology, or counseling, AND have worked as an Associate Children's Counselor or equivalent for at least one (1) full year, AND demonstrate the knowledge and skills required of the Children's Counselor.

-OR-

One (1) year (30 semester units) of college including nine (9) units in the behavioral sciences such as psychology, education, social work, sociology, or counseling, AND have worked as a Associate Children's Counselor or equivalent for at least eighteen (18) months, AND demonstrate the knowledge and skills required of the Children's Counselor.

-OR-

One (1) semester (15 semester units) of college including one course in the behavioral sciences such as psychology, education, social work, sociology; or counseling, AND have worked as a Associate Children's Counselor or equivalent for at least two (2) full years, AND demonstrate the knowledge and skills required of the Children's Counselor.

Note: Some positions may require advance knowledge and skills in the areas of infant and toddler care and/or severely impaired children. Training will be provided to counselors in these areas.

Required

Selected applicants will be required to meet various standards in accordance with State of California Community Care Licensing prior to a confirmed job offer of employment. The required standards include:
• Criminal background statement
• State and Federal fingerprint clearance
• Child Abuse Index clearance
• DMV clearance
• Health clearance
• TB screening Information on PERS Contribution

Note that for salaries above a limitation imposed by federal law (that limit is $230,000 for 2008): (1) the County will not make contributions to PERS on the portion of salary that exceed the limit, and (2) salary in excess of the limit is not used in calculating your retirement benefit under PERS.

Benefit and Retirement information may vary from bargaining unit to bargaining unit. Due to changes in State Law, current pension provisions described in the union contracts are not automatically applied. Specific pension benefits for new hires who start on or after January 1, 2013 may be different than indicated in the union contracts.

Click here to access all Memoranda of Understanding and most recent Summary of Changes.

01

As a Children's Counselor, You May Be Offered Assignments To Work On Any Shift And With Any Age Group. Please Indicate The Shift(s) You Are Willing To Work
• AM Shift (6:30 am - 2:30 pm or 7:00 am - 3:00 pm)
• PM Shift (2:30 pm - 10:30 pm or 3:00 pm - 7:00 am)
• Graveyard (11:00 pm - 7:00 am)
• Weekdays
• Weekends

02

Please Indicate The Special Skills You May Possess
• Early Childhood Development Education/Experience
• CPR/First Aid Certification (copy of current certification attached)
• Bilingual - (Indicate which language you are fluent in on Job Application)

03

If you indicated in question #2 that you are fluent in a language other than English, do you have a bilingual certification on file with Santa Clara County?
• Yes
• No

04

I understand I must be available to attend the paid training offered during normal business hours (example 8:00 am - 5:00 pm).
• Yes
• No
• Required Question