DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT SERVICES
For Reference Only
CLASS CODE: 5954
PAY GRADE: 017
CLASS TITLE: 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.
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.)
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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, protective services, dependency, delinquency, and abuse.
Interviews parents, guardians, and other persons having knowledge of dependency,
delinquency, or abuse situations.
5954-CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES COUNSELOR-CS
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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.
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.)
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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 plan 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
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A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and one year of professional
experience in education, mental health, counseling, guidance, social work, health or
rehabilitative services; 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 for Children, Youth and Families programs
can substitute for the required experience; or
A master's degree from an accredited college or university can substitute for the required
experience.
EFFECTIVE:
5/20/1991
HISTORY:
03/20/1990
12/13/1985