Probation Counselor 1

Note: Current Employees must use the Workday Dashboard career section to apply for this position.

Employee Type:

Regular

Department:

Juvenile

Salary:

$56,199.00 - $78,292.50 Annually / $4,683.25 - $6,524.38 Monthly / $28.82 - $40.15 Hourly

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

37.5

Overtime Eligibile:

Yes

Job Posting Date Range:

10/01/2026 - Until Filled

* * *IMPORTANT INFORMATION & INSTRUCTIONS* * *

SPOKANE COUNTY JUVENILE COURT

DEAR APPLICANT:

Thank you for considering the Spokane County Juvenile Court as a potential employer.  Juvenile Court employees are directly responsible for the supervision and/or care of youth under the age of eighteen.  As such, applicants undergo an extensive application and selection process as well as a thorough background investigation.

The effectiveness of the Juvenile Court is directly related to the quality of personnel employed by the Court and the level of public trust in those personnel.  As a result, the following extensive application process is designed to elicit information to assist us in determining your character, suitability, and competence for the position for which you have applied.

Failure to complete the entire application, whether intentionally or unintentionally, will result in your removal from consideration.

In addition, the background investigation may include, but is not limited to: an interview(s); employer reference checks; polygraph test; criminal and driving records.  Failure of any portion of the background investigation will be "cause" for removal from consideration.  Upon completion of the background investigation, each candidate's suitability is reviewed by Juvenile Court Administration.

The polygraph test is conducted using the information you have submitted and the Integrity Standards for Juvenile Court. Thank you for your interest in Spokane County Juvenile Court.

Job Summary:

Priority consideration will be given in accordance with the applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement or County Policy.

NOTE: This recruitment may be used to fill up to three (3) vacancies working 37.5 hours per week.

GENERAL PURPOSE
The position allocated to this class perform investigative, counseling or casework duties. Initially, employees are provided on-the-job training on court procedures, department procedures and the law, and are assigned to work under the guidance of a higher level Probation Counselor or Supervisor. Duties include developing and presenting case histories and making recommendations to the Court regarding dependent, delinquent or at-risk youth; and overseeing and counseling youth on probation or in a confinement setting. As experience is gained, the work is performed with considerable professional independence. Cases are assigned by a Supervisor.

Job Description:

The following documents are required to be submitted with your application. Applications that do not include all required documents may not be considered:
• Resume
• Cover Letter

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Receives and examines referrals to the Juvenile Court for the purpose of considering the filing of a petition or information pursuant to RCW chapter 13.32A, 13.34, or 13.40.070.
• Makes recommendations to the court regarding the need for continued detention or shelter care of a child.
• Monitors youth in the community directly with GPS tracking and indirectly through families, schools, job sites, etc.
• Arranges and supervises diversion agreements as provided in RCW 13.40.080 and ensures the requirements of such agreements are met.
• Prepares predisposition studies as required in RCW 13.34.120 and 13.40.130 and is present at the disposition hearing to respond to questions regarding the predisposition study.
• Supervises court orders of dispositions to ensure all requirements of the order are met.
• Gathers information to assess a youth's risk to community safety, themselves, and their possibility of being a flight risk.
• Administers behavioral, mental health, and substance abuse counseling.
• Evaluates options for release, detention, or detention with electronic monitoring authorized, and represents probation in delivering recommendations to the Court, after collaborating with co-workers, public defenders, and prosecutors.
• Performs other related duties as required/assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university.
• Experience in work such as casework, parole, probation, counseling, youth and group work, or detention.

• Counselor Agency Affiliated Registration at time of hire and maintained throughout employment with Juvenile Court.

• Must possess and maintain a valid Driver’s License or have the ability to provide suitable transportation which is approved by the County.
• Applicants selected must successfully pass a criminal background check.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of the dependency field and criminal justice system as it relates to youth.
• Knowledge of individual and group behavior applicable to the probation field as it relates to youth.
• Knowledge of probation philosophy, methods and practices as it relates to youth.
• Knowledge of counseling and interviewing techniques and methods.
• Knowledge of report writing techniques.
• Knowledge of the literature, development, and trends in the field of juvenile probation.
• Skilled in basic computer word processing and data entry.
• Skilled in counseling delinquent, dependent or at-risk youth and their families.
• Skilled in understanding, interpreting and applying complex statutes, court regulations and rules.
• Skilled in expressing ideas and recommendations effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to conduct thorough investigations in an impartial manner and to prepare detailed case histories and reports.
• Ability to effectively work and communicate with individuals and groups from a variety of social, economic, ethnic and racial backgrounds.
• Ability to convey a professional image via attire and demeanor.
• Ability to consistently make effective decisions.
• Ability to work independently and exercise good judgment.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with staff, community and social agencies, and the general public.

BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS

All County employees are responsible for contributing to a safe and positive work environment, actively demonstrating the County values in their daily work and interactions:

• Respect:   Appreciating and valuing customers, other County employees and County leadership by showing courtesy, friendliness and fairness.  Communicating in a productive and professional manner.   
• Accountability:   Honoring and delivering on commitments by taking responsibility for personal actions and results; being a responsible steward of public resources and the trust County residents have placed in each of us.
• Integrity:   Modelling transparent and ethical behavior and demonstrating it with honest and trustworthy behaviors and actions; leading by example and performing work to the highest standards.
• Innovation:   Striving for excellence by actively pursuing opportunities for new and improved methods, procedures or technologies; fostering an environment of engagement and empowerment and embracing continuous improvement.

Testing Requirements:

Background Check, Polygraph, Medical

Total Compensation:

$71,935 - $100,214 Annually

Total compensation is an estimate based upon base compensation, median retirement fund contributions, and current employer-paid health and related benefit contribution rates (including medical, dental, life insurance, long term disability, and leave). The actual total will vary depending upon each employee's enrollment choices.

Please select the link below to view Spokane County Benefits:

• Benefits | Spokane County, WA