YOUTH SERVICES COUNSELOR
New Jersey treats Youth Services Counselor as a competitive-class job, so the gate is an examination and the ranked list it produces rather than a direct offer.
The minimum is a master's degree and 2 years of relevant experience.
How to apply
-
Exam
This is an application to sit an exam and be placed on an eligible list for this title, not an application for a specific job. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. There may be no current vacancy behind it, and the list it produces may not be certified for months or years.
-
Exam
Open to permanent employees in the competitive division who hold a qualifying lower title in the same unit. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. Like the open competitive exam, this places you on a list; it is not itself a job offer.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator.
Definition
Under direction, coordinates public and private youth activity programs designed to remotivate juveniles and deter juvenile delinquency; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
- Selects, redesigns, and implements testing programs to determine behavioral trends and social and cultural development of juveniles.
- Attempts to remotivate youth through psychological testing and group or individual counseling.
- Plans and conducts programs, discussion sessions, field trips, and so forth to improve juvenile attitudes.
- Interviews juveniles, parents, teachers, police, juvenile authorities, and others to obtain information concerning causes and prevention of juvenile delinquency.
- Assists and tutors youths in academic studies and arts and crafts, and offers vocational guidance.
- Visits homes to gain knowledge of home environment so as to better understand juvenile behavior.
- Acts as liaison between schools and social service agencies in helping problem children.
- Operates and maintains recreation rooms and library.
- Discusses individual youth's problems with family members to determine cause of behavioral problem.
- Conducts individual and group structured counseling sessions.
- Identifies behavioral problems of youths and prepares plans of treatment based on evaluation of individual case so as to achieve behavior modification.
- Through discussion and counseling, attempts to get juveniles to interact properly within peer group and society in general.
- Makes referrals to appropriate community agencies.
- Administers specific tests and counsels individuals in terms of their career development and personal adjustment to educational and vocational matters.
- Informs juveniles of available career education and training opportunities.
- Informs juveniles of the qualifications, work attitudes, and skills required for entry into various occupations.
- Provides guidance and direction to youth in finding suitable employment.
- Prepares reports. Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Education
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in Sociology, Vocational Rehabilitation, Educational Counseling, Guidance, Psychology, or Social Work.
Experience
Two (2) years of experience in professional counseling and guidance of juveniles.
License
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Knowledge of psychological, social, and economic problems of juveniles.
- Knowledge of methods to be employed in remotivating juveniles.
- Knowledge of public agencies that can provide help in stimulating youth, and of guidance and counseling techniques.
- Ability to organize assigned work and develop effective work methods.
- Ability to use counseling and guidance techniques.
- Ability to understand juvenile attitudes and motives.
- Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
- Ability to administer and interpret psychological and vocational aptitude tests.
- Ability to identify causes of behavioral problems and to prepare treatment plans based on evaluation of individual cases.
- Ability to understand the dynamics of family, economic, sociological, and other factors that cause behavioral problems among youth.
- Ability to maintain essential records and files.
- Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
- Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
- Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The definition and examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.