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State of Washington

Juvenile Rehabilitation Counselor 1 (JRC1) – Ellensburg

State of Washington
Kittitas County – EllensburgFull TimeEntry-level56k–75k USDPosted Today

Posting number: 2026-06050

Department: Dept of Children, Youth, and Families

Division: Parke Creek Community Facility

Job classification: JUVENILE REHABILITATION COUNSELOR 1

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Mental Health, Social Services, Human Services, Security, Counseling

SummaryOur vision is to ensure that “Washington state’s children and youth grow up safe and healthy—thriving physically, emotionally and academically, nurtured by family and community.

Our vision is to ensure that “All Washington's children and youth grow up safe and healthy, thriving physically, emotionally, and educationally, nurtured by family and community".


Job Title: Juvenile Rehabilitation Counselor 1 (JRC1)

Location: Ellensburg (Parke Creek Community Facility) - Fulltime position 
Closes: Thursday August 6, 2026
Salary: $55,596 - $72,900 Yearly. The posted salary does not include an on-site 24/7 facility 5% premium

The Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) is filling multiple Juvenile Rehabilitation Counselor 1 (JRC1) vacancies at Park Creek Community Facility, a Juvenile Rehabilitation (JR) minimum security residential program that serves adjudicated youth preparing to return to their homes and communities.

Click here to learn more about DCYF.

The Opportunity:
As a Juvenile Rehabilitation Counselor 1, you will assist our counselors to provide comprehensive case management, transition and reentry planning, counseling, and treatment services as you supervise an assigned caseload of youth for compliance with program and treatment plan requirements and prepare youth and their families for re-entry back into the community. A bachelor's degree and one year of experience in this job class, or a combination of education and experience that totals at least six years, will prepare you for promotion into Juvenile Rehabilitation Counselor 2 jobs.  

Some of what you will do:

  • Assist JRC2s in providing supervision and services to youth and families in the facility and community.
  • Provide supervision and cognitive behavioral treatment to youth that have a complex range of disorders and service needs.
  • Assess behavior, prioritize treatment targets, develop treatment plans, and implement interventions in collaboration with the Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Consultant or program supervisor.
  • Assist in group facilitation and organize and supervise group recreational activities.
  • Perform and document routine security duties including Youth Wellness checks, building security checks, room searches for contraband, searches of youth, and assist in search and apprehension of absconders.
  • Supervise and maintain order among youth in the facility and the community, ensuring treatment plan and program expectations are met.
  • Assist youth in job search and attending school, vocational, employment, and community service.
  • Develop and implement treatment and reentry plans and provide individual counseling.
  • Supervise and/or serve meals to resident groups.
  • Supervise and assign chores within the facility to meet health and hygiene standards.
  • Monitor movement of residents to and from school, medical, work, and recreational activities.


Required qualifications:
An equivalent combination of education and experience, totaling four years.
OR
A Bachelor’s degree.
OR 
Two years of college education, AND two years of experience as a Juvenile Rehabilitation Security Officer 1 (JRSO1) or Juvenile Rehabilitation Officer 1 (JRO1).
OR
Two years of college education, AND two years of professional experience working with at-risk or justice system involved youth as a case manager; counselor; probation or parole officer; or in a social services capacity planning, directing, supervising, or facilitating interventions with at-risk or juvenile justice system youth or a related field.

AND

  1. The ability to take action to learn and grow.
  2. The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.


In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following: 

  • Experience in providing direct care to youth in a community environment.
  • Experience monitoring and managing youth in a non-secure residential setting in the community.
  • Understanding of adolescent development and juvenile rehabilitation practices and principles; experience providing cognitive/behavioral therapeutic interventions.
  • Competency in relating to clients from diverse backgrounds and cultural groups.
  • Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences related to juvenile delinquency.
  • Ability to use de-escalation techniques approved for intervention by JR with verbally and/or physically aggressive youth.


How do I apply?

Complete your applicant profile and attach the following documents:

  • Letter of interest describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position.
  • Current resume detailing experience and education.


Supplemental Information:

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is committed to Washington's children and youth growing up safe, healthy, and thriving. We invite all candidates to join us in our mission to create a diverse and equitable workplace that reflects the communities we serve. If you are excited about this role but you believe that your education and/or experience might not align perfectly with every qualification in the job posting, we encourage you to apply anyway.


The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained service animal by a person with a disability.


Applicants selected for an interview are required to pass a national fingerprint background check and complete a questionnaire mandated by the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) inquiring about any sexual misconduct. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but is considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the job.


Incumbent must possess a current Food Handler's permit or obtain one within fourteen (14) days of hire.


This position performs activities that meet the definition of counseling as defined in WAC 246-810-010 (7). Incumbents must obtain and maintain an Agency Affiliated Counselor certification.


As a condition of employment, the incumbent must successfully complete the New Employee Academy (NEA) upon hire.


This position is in a bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). For more information: https://wfse.org/.


This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.


If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment or if you would like to request an accommodation throughout the application/interview process, contact the DCYF Recruiter. If you're experiencing technical difficulties creating, accessing or completing your application, call NEOGOV toll-free at (855)524-5627 or email support@neogov.com. Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may call the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD) at 360-664-1960.


Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, NGB Form 22 or Predischarge Certification (issued not more than 120 days prior to End of Term of Service (ETS) by date of submission). If claiming preference based on Predischarge Certification, individual will be required to provide their official discharge documentation, such as a DD form 214, NGB form 22, or equivalent, within 30 days after the date of discharge. Please blackout (redact) the social security number before attaching any documents. For additional information on Veteran's Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.


 DCYF participates in the federal E-Verify program. The selected candidate must provide proof of identity and authorization to work in the United States, consistent with E-Verify requirements, on their first day of employment.


06050
Ready to apply? You'll be taken to State of Washington's application page.