Juvenile Court Counselor Trainee- Western Region

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!

This posting is for multiple vacancies within the Western Region.

Counties include: Jackson, Macon, Watauga, and Yadkin.

These are full-time position (40 hours per week) with State Benefits.  

Work Schedule required Monday-Friday 8:00 am-5:00 pm flexible work schedule and on call.   

About the Juvenile Court Counselor Position: Juvenile Court Counselors fulfill a vital role in the development and delinquency prevention of juveniles within the State of North Carolina. Individuals who serve in this role work daily with juveniles and families to assess needs and create treatment plans, monitor the progress of both the juvenile and their families' through the treatment plan, maintain contact with and provide human services and support services, serve as officers of the court, facilitate transitional, post-release, re-entry, and continuing treatment services and care, and participate in planning future plans and services for the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Division as a whole.  Learn more about working in a Juvenile Court Counselor position, including job duties, certification requirements, pay plan information, and how to apply for positions as either a Trainee or Juvenile Court Counselor, please click here. 

About the Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention:

The Juvenile Justice Section 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. Click here to learn more about the North Carolina Department of Public Safety's Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention

Juvenile Court Counselor Trainee, work will include:

Gaining progressively complex exposure to the juvenile justice field, court proceedings, case management, system(s)of care. and areas related to juvenile and family dynamics and wellbeing

Opportunities to receive certifications in the trainee's field of work

Shadowing other Juvenile Court Counselors performing their duties and working on their caseloads

Coordinating services for juveniles and families

Preparing and presenting court recommendations

Developing skills and confidence to carry a caseload and perform the job duties of a Juvenile Court Counselor independently

Trainee appointments include participating in a 6 to 24-month training progression, in which trainees are assigned to a progressive career development program under supervision which is designed to ensure trainees develop an overall understanding of their role and its impact over time. The trainee appointment for the Juvenile Court Counselor follows a step progression pay plan. Pay increases follow the following timeline:

Minimum starting pay (Bachelor's degree only) $40,000

6 months into training program - $41,000        

12 months into training program - $42,025

18 months into training program - $43,075

24 months into training program - $ Determined by Internal Equity

*$42,025 is the starting salary for applicants with related Master's degree.

Note to Current State Employees:The salary grade for this position is NC09.  State employees are encouraged to apply for positions of interest even if the salary grade is the same as, or lower than, their current position. If education and experience, funding availability, and internal equity. Based upon these factors, a pay increase MAY result.

About the Division of Juvenile Justice:

The Mission of Juvenile Justice is to reduce and prevent juvenile delinquency by effectively intervening, educating and treating youth in order to strengthen families and increase public safety.

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 would welcome you to be part of the team.  To learn more about Juvenile Justice, please go to this LINK.

About the North Carolina Department of Public Safety (NC DPS): The mission of DPS is to safeguard and preserve the lives and property of the people of North Carolina through prevention, protection, and preparation with integrity and honor. Included in this department are Alcohol Law Enforcement, Emergency Management, Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, NC National Guard, State Capitol Police, State Highway Patrol and many others.  DPS is comprised of approximately 6,000 permanent positions and nearly 13,000 NC National Guard temporary positions.

If you are interested in becoming a Juvenile Court Counselor but do not yet meet the Education and Experience Requirements, consider becoming a Juvenile Court Counselor Trainee! Click here to learn more about this special opportunity, it's pay plan, and other important information. Applications for BOTH Juvenile Court Counselor and Juvenile Court Counselor Trainee positions will be accepted within this posting.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies

Management Preferences:

Experience with public speaking

Experience applying different counseling approaches and crisis intervention practices to a variety of situations

Knowledge of and/or experience with case management practices

Knowledge of and/or experience working with a system of care

PLEASE NOTE: Juvenile Court Counselor Trainee applicants do not need to meet Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required to qualify.

Knowledge and experience gained in educational classes or experiences, internships, or volunteer work will meet Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required for this position as long as they are documented within the application or within attached transcripts.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

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 oshr.nc.gov/experience-guide for details.

Bachelor's degree from an an appropriately accredited institution;

Applications for this position will be accepted 90 days before graduation from a degree program. 

If your degree is currently in progress, or your degree major is not in one of the above fields, please attach an unofficial transcript to your application for the Juvenile Court Counselor position to receive credit for all related courses.