About this role
Agency
SafetyDivision
70000075 Dept of Public SafetyJob Classification Title
Youth Counselor (S)Position Number
Grade
NC08About Us
The Department of Public Safety's mission is to safeguard and preserve the lives and property of the people of North Carolina through preparation, prevention, and protection with integrity and honor. Our agency houses many public safety divisions, including Emergency Management, Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Alcohol Law Enforcement, Samarcand Training Academy, and the North Carolina National Guard. Join us along with our more than 3,000 employees and 12,000 National Guard members in providing exceptional public safety services to the citizens of North Carolina.
Description of Work
Virtual Hiring Event for Cabarrus Youth Development Center and Juvenile Detention Center - Youth Counselor - IMMEDIATE HIRE FOR MULTIPLE POSITIONS!We are looking for candidates who have a passion for helping court-involved youth. We are Working Together to Strengthen North Carolina’s Youth and Families!
The Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention is committed to the reduction and prevention of juvenile delinquency by effectively intervening, educating and treating youth in order to strengthen families and increase public safety. If you have a passion for making a difference in the lives of North Carolina's youth, we welcome you to be part of the team.
The State of North Carolina provides work/life balance, a team-oriented culture, opportunities for advancement, and interesting work. If you are looking to serve others, this is the place for you
Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences
This event is VIRTUAL and for SCHEDULED INTERVIEWS ONLY. Qualified applicants will be sent a link to complete pre-hire paperwork and schedule an interview prior to February 11.
Virtual Interviews will be conducted on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, from 9:00am to 4:00pm.
These positions will be located at:
Cabarrus Youth Development Center
850 Holshouser Road, Concord, N.C. 28027
Shift work is required for these positions. Weekend and holiday shifts required.
Candidates for these positions are eligible to receive a shift premium (10%) when assigned to either 2nd or 3rd shift.
This job classification also qualifies for the employee Referral Bonus program. If you were referred to this job posting by a current DPS employee, and you are hired, that employee could qualify for a referral bonus.
DPS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals.
The Minimum Education and Experience (E&E) are REQUIRED to qualify for this position. All work history and education (including accurate dates of employment/attendance) must be documented on the application. Supplemental Questions are also a required part of the application: answers must reference education or work experience listed on the application. A complete, all-inclusive application maximizes an applicant’s potential to qualify for the position, as well as the highest possible salary. Salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position. State Government Application Resources | NC Office of Human Resources
Management Preference: These skills are not required but managers may choose to interview/select applicants who demonstrate Management Preferences.
- Demonstrated knowledge of adolescent development
- Demonstrated experience with counseling skills
- Demonstrated experience with crisis intervention techniques
- Demonstrated experience working with minority groups
- Demonstrated experience working with a multidisciplinary service team
Please note: You must be physically capable of applying the proper methods and procedures to physically restrain juveniles and defend self after being properly training by the department. The physical demands for this position will be discussed during the interview.
The job duties of a Youth Counselor include but are not limited to:
- Monitor and supervise juveniles while housed, at school and all daily activities.
- Safety and security duties include:
- Maintaining a secure environment
- Routinely monitoring and observing juveniles
- Daily records are completed to include:
- Documenting safety violations and security breaches
- Activity briefing for shift personnel, crisis intervention events, behavioral problems/issues, and youth progress updates.
- Provide feedback to the treatment team on juveniles
- Communicating information regarding treatment plans to clients
- Provide counseling and therapeutic intervention
- Serve as a member of a therapeutic treatment team
- Utilize a range of counseling techniques and skills in crisis interventions
- Implements individual and group treatment plans to effect behavioral changes
- Administering scoring, interpreting a variety of assessment tools to evaluate treatment progress, and reviewing treatment strategies to achieve rehabilitation goals
- Participate in the development of individual treatment, educational, vocational and community reintegration programs.
- Physical and Mechanical Restraints
- Medication administration.
Please note: This is NOT an office position; this is a direct care position where you will be providing direct supervision and engagement at a Youth Development Center or a Juvenile Detention Center with close proximity to court-ordered youth.
NEW STEP PAY PLAN!
Youth Counselor's enjoy annual salary increases with a step pay plan! Your initial salary is based on your total months of related education and experience above the minimum requirements (Bachelor's degree and 24 months of related experience or equivalent combination of education and experience (6 years)).Please list all work experience in order for you to receive maximum credit. This will help determine the correct salary and step for potential candidates. Candidates will only receive credit for experience documented on the state application. Once hired, your pay will continue to increase as you gain more related experience up to step 6 and you may also qualify for other promotional opportunities. There are many opportunities for promotional advancement within Juvenile Justice!
- Step 0- $41,558
- Step 1- $44,468
- Step 2- $47,137
- Step 3- $49,494
- Step 4- $51,473
- Step 5- $53,017
- Step 6- $54,078
Work Schedule:
This is a full-time position. These positions are required to work shift work and will vary depending on the need of the facilities. Must be able to work weekends, holidays and evenings.
Benefits:
This is a full-time position (40 hours per week) with State Benefits, including paid vacation, paid sick leave, paid holidays, retirement, and health insurance. To view an example of total compensation, please click here NC OSHR: Total Compensation Calculator
Supplemental and Contact Information
The North Carolina Department of Public Safety (DPS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer who embraces an Employment First philosophy which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws and Executive Orders. Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), we are committed to full inclusion of qualified applicants and will review requests for reasonable accommodation to perform essential job functions during the hiring process or while on the job.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
For applicants with student loans, becoming a state employee may include eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Visit www.studentaid.gov to learn more.
Transcripts
- Degrees and transcripts must be received from appropriately accredited college or university.
- Applicants who earned college credit hours but did not complete a degree program, must attach an unofficial transcript to receive credit for education.
- International degrees and transcripts must be evaluated for accreditation by a recognized evaluation service by the closing date of this posting. Failure to provide documentation may result in ineligibility. The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) has several options to provide credential verification :https://www.naces.org/members.
Military Experience
- Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty that includes Character of Discharge - Member 4 or Service 2 form) to the application.
- Applicants seeking National Guard Preference:
A current member of the North Carolina National Guard in good standing must attach a NGB 23A (RPAS).
A former member of the North Carolina National Guard who served for at least 6 years and were discharged under honorable conditions, must attach either a DD256 or NGB 22.
The NC Dept. of Public Safety must adhere to the US Dept. of Justice Final Rule on the "National Standards to Prevent, Detect, and Respond to Prison Rape. "PREA Hiring and Promotion Prohibitions. Selected applicants for positions which are subject to PREA will undergo a PREA-specific background check. Our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated, or justice involved, and we invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified. Due to the nature of work performed in our agency, prior convictions and/or charges may prohibit employment for positions which are subject to PREA or other position-specific background checks.
If applying for a Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention position certified through the NC Dept. of Justice - Criminal Justice Standards Division, please click this link for specific certification requirements: Juvenile Justice Officer & Juvenile Court Counselor Certification.
Per NC General Statute 143B-1209.54, applicants hired into a position certified as a criminal justice officer or justice officer are required to electronically submit fingerprints to the NC State Bureau of Investigation for a state and national criminal history record check and enrollment in the FBI’s Next Generation Identification System: Criminal Justice Record of Arrest and Prosecution Background Service (“RAP Back”). This is in addition to submitting fingerprints during the application process.
Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application. If you are selected for an interview, you will be contacted by the hiring manager. If you are no longer under consideration, you will receive an email notification.
If there are any questions about this posting other than your application status, please contact Ariana Garcia at [email protected].
#JJ
Minimum Education and Experience
Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.
Bachelor’s degree from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of experience working with the juvenile/family client population and/or related human services experience;
or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Necessary Special Qualifications Applicants for positions designated as Juvenile Justice Officers are subject to and must meet the hiring and training standards established by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission, as defined in Title 12, Chapter 9 of the NC Administrative Code, by the statutory authority of GS 17C.
EEO Statement
The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.
Recruiter:
Kassia Elizabeth WhiteRecruiter Email:
[email protected]Other facts
About State of North Carolina
The NC Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is the lead stewardship agency for the protection of North Carolina's environmental resources.
The organization, which has offices from the mountains to the coast, administers regulatory programs designed to protect air quality, water quality, and the public's health, and also works to advance an all-of-the-above energy strategy that fits North Carolina’s needs. DEQ also offers technical assistance to businesses, farmers, local governments, and the public and encourages responsible behavior with respect to the environment through education programs provided at DEQ facilities and through the state's school system.
DEQ touches the lives of all North Carolinians in many ways to enhance and ensure our quality of life.
What you'll do
- Youth Counselors monitor and supervise juveniles in various settings, ensuring safety and security while providing counseling and therapeutic interventions. They also document incidents and communicate treatment plans to clients.
Ready to join State of North Carolina?
Take the next step in your career journey