Youth Counselor

Salary : $57,449.60 - $69,180.80 Annually
Location : Community Attention, 907 East Jefferson Street, Charlottesville (22902), VA
Job Type: Regular Full-Time
Job Number: 260800001
Department: Human Services
Division: Community Attention Programs
Opening Date: 08/07/2026
Closing Date: 8/28/2026 5:00 PM Eastern
Bargaining Unit: N/A


General Summary
The Youth Counselor Assistant position within the provides responsible direct services to children and/or families including individual, group, and family counseling, case management, skill-building, activities oversight, and other case or therapeutic services. Work is completed under general supervision and reports to a Human Services Program Supervisor.

The preferred hiring range for this position is between $27.62 - $33.26 an hour ($57,449.60 - $69,180.80 annually). Starting offer is based on applicable education, experience, and internal equity. This full-time, non-exempt position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including 13 paid holidays plus one floating holiday, vacation and sick leave, health insurance with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, gym membership reimbursement, tuition assistance, and professional development opportunities. This position is also eligible for the following retirement benefits:

• Choice of retirement plan:
  • Defined Benefit Pension Plan: Provides a monthly benefit upon retirement, calculated using a defined formula based on earnings history, years of service, and age. The plan includes a 5-year vesting period and requires an employee contribution of 5% of salary.
  • Defined Contribution 401a Plan: Employer makes fixed contributions to an individual account, which are invested, and returns are credited to the account. The account balance is used to provide retirement benefits. Vesting occurs at 33% after one year, 67% after two years, and 100% after three years of service. No salary contribution is required.
• Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Eligibility to purchase prior service credit under the Defined Benefit Plan

The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system and does not participate in VRS; however, a Portability Agreement is available for eligible employees. For additional details, please refer to the "Benefits" tab within this posting or visit the City's Employee Benefits webpage.

Essential Responsibilities and Duties


To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The essential functions of the job are not limited to those listed in the job description. The City retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

• Creates and/or participates in the coordination of treatment or assessment planning through informal individual counseling as well as crisis intervention in emergency situations.
• Provides therapeutic structure and provides for the physical and emotional safety of participants while supervising the completion of tasks and activities.
• Performs case management duties, which may include but is not limited to screening for eligibility and coordination with community partners, families, school staff, probation, and social service agencies.
• Provides trauma-supportive and appropriately responsive service.
• Participates in overall program planning, evaluation, and documentation. Maintains case records and prepares reports.
• May develop and/or facilitate, lead, or co-lead various group meetings and/or recreational and educational activities.
• Coordinates with other agency staff on treatment observations and information.
• May testify in court proceedings and makes recommendations to legal authorities.
• Additional responsibilities depending on assigned functional area:
  • Responsibility for support functions such as equipment maintenance, stocking inventory supplies and oversight of vehicle maintenance.
  • Transporting program participants.
• Required to respond upon activation from the City Manager of the Continuity of Operations Plan and/or Emergency Operations Plan. Must have the ability to be contacted and respond based on Department guidelines.
• Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools and other resources, including work time.
• Regular and reliable attendance.

Other Duties

• May provide on-call coverage and respond to emergency situations.
• Performs additional duties to support operational requirements as apparent or assigned.

Education, Experience and Skills

Education and Experience : Candidates may qualify by demonstrating the required knowledge and skills outlined for the job through experience(s) other than formal education.

• Bachelor's degree in any field AND some experience working in a Human Services field.

OR

• Associate degree AND 2 years of experience working in a Human Services Field.

OR

• High School Diploma or GED AND 4 years of experience in Human Services Field.

OR

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the specific requirements listed above.

Preferred:

• Experience in the care and treatment of adolescents.
• College coursework in behavioral sciences or human services.
• Directly related experience (case management services) in Virginia within the past 2 years.

Certifications/Licenses/Other Requirements:

• Must obtain and maintain a valid Virginia Driver's License and acceptable driving record according to City criteria.
• Required to successfully pass a pre-employment background check and pre-employment drug screen.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics:
Job Knowledge

• Knowledge of counseling and social work principles and practices particularly related to adolescent behavior.
• General knowledge of community services and facilities available for adolescents. Knowledge of crisis intervention and behavior change techniques.
• Knowledge of human behavior and of the current social, economic and health problems of the community served.

Reading

• Intermediate: Ability to read, understand, and interpret human services policies and regulations and reference materials.

Writing

• Intermediate: Ability to organize data and write explanations and summaries such as data for reports and assessments with proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar, using all parts of speech.

Math

• Basic: Ability to perform basic mathematical functions.

Communication Skills

• Intermediate: Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, families, co-workers, managers, and the public. Ability to provide information and guidance that assists others in making decisions; explains issues and concepts with clarity. Interactions may involve stressful, negative situations requiring tact and the ability to diffuse aggressive behavior and reach consensus. Elements of persuasion may be necessary to gain cooperation and understanding.

Independence and Decision-Making

• Requires General Direction: normally performs the job by following general instructions and established standard operating procedures and/or policies. There is some discretion when making decisions among a few easily identifiable choices.

Technical Skills

• Skilled: practical knowledge of service programs and requirements. Ability to investigate, research, analyze, and measure information or data. Skilled in interviewing techniques and eliciting information from clients. Skill in the use of Microsoft Office applications and department software.

Fiscal Responsibilities

• No budgetary or fiscal responsibilities.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• No responsibility for supervision of others. However, may assist in the training of Youth Counselor Assistants, volunteers, and/or student interns.

Other Characteristics

• Ability to maintain calm under pressure and a fast-paced environment.
• Organization and time management skills.
• Works closely with others as part of a team.
• Work effectively with sensitive and confidential issues and information.
• May be required to work weekends, evenings and/or on-call.
• May require frequent travel to and from community-based locations.
• May require dealing with angry, frustrated and/or upset individuals.

Physical Conditions & Additional Information

Physical Demands:

• Light Work: Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Must occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc. Must constantly position self to maintain files in file cabinet.
• Must be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations
• Ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Machines, Tools, Equipment, Software and Hardware:

• Typically requires use of standard office equipment and telephone, and related software and hardware; and any other equipment as appropriate or as assigned.

Work Environment:

• Work is performed in an office environment where there may be exposure to computer screen for extended periods of time, monitor glare and dust.
• Work may also occur in client homes, facilities of other agencies and/or court buildings.
• At times, may be exposed to outdoor weather conditions and temperatures.
• Work may involve threatening and potentially dangerous settings and disturbing circumstances.
• The noise level is typically moderate and may be loud depending on the work site.

The City of Charlottesville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports workforce diversity at all levels of the organization. The City prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. The City is dedicated to this with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, access to facilities and programs, and general treatment during employment.
Requests for reasonable accommodation by individuals with disabilities may be requested by contacting Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io or
The City of Charlottesville conducts job related background checks, reference checks, and pre-employment drug tests, in accordance with federal, state, and local law, of applicants who reach the final stages of the employment selection process. The City's policy has not changed because of the decriminalization of marijuana in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Marijuana remains an illegal drug under federal law, and it continues to be a violation of the US Department of Transportation regulations and the City's policy prohibiting employees from testing positive for marijuana.
SUMMARY OF EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Updated February 9, 2026


Benefits cited represent those for regular 40-hour employees and may differ for Management Level, Part-Time, and/or Library positions. Long-term temporary employees are eligible for all benefits except retirement. Interns, temporary, seasonal, substitute, and relief employees are not eligible for benefits.
1. LEAVE:
Vacation: Need some time off? Use it, you earned it:

Years Worked

0 - <3

3 - <5

5 - <10

10 - <15

15 - <20

20 - <25

25+

Hours Accrued Biweekly

3.09

3.85

4.62

5.4

6.16

6.93

7.7

Sick: Under the weather? Earn 4.62 hours biweekly, approximately 120 hours a year, with no limit on accumulation to be used to care for yourself and qualifying family members.

Holidays: Enjoy 13 paid holidays per year. Including 1 Floating Holiday, which must be taken during the Fiscal Year (July 1 - June 30):

OBSERVED CITY HOLIDAYS
New Years Day

Dr. Martin Luther King Day

Presidents' Day

Liberation & Freedom Day

Memorial Day

Juneteenth Day

Independence Day

Labor Day

Veterans Day

Thanksgiving Day

Friday after Thanksgiving

Christmas Eve

Christmas Day

1 Floating Holiday

Volunteer Leave: Paid leave for participating in an authorized event as a volunteer, subject to Section 9-3, Code of Ethics & Conflicts of Interest. Regular full-time employees receive up to 8 hours and all regular part-time employees are eligible to receive pro-rated leave each available each calendar year.

2. INSURANCE:
Aetna Medical Plans: Coverage is effective on the first of the month following date of hire.

• Choose from two options:
  
  
  1. Select HMO with City-funded HRA ($0 premium for employee-only coverage)
  2. Choice POS ($13.02 biweekly premium for employee-only coverage)
• Prescription Card: ($10 generic, $30 lower cost name brand,$55 higher cost name brand, 20% up to $150 for specialty drugs)
• Mail Order Maintenance Prescription Drug Program ($20 generic, $60lower cost name brand, $110 higher cost brand) not available for specialty drugs)

Delta Dental Plan:

• Diagnostic and Preventative-100% of allowable charge; Basic Dental Care-80%; Major Dental Care- 50%
• Primary - $50 deductible, 80/20; Prosthetic and Complex Restorative -$50, 50/50
• $1,500 Annual benefit maximum
• $1,000 Orthodontic benefit (children to age 19)

MetLife Vision Plan: (Optional)

• $2.50 premium paid bi-weekly for employee-only coverage. Dependent care coverage also available.
• Eye health exam, dilatation, prescription and refraction of glasses covered after $10 co-pay
• $130 allowance for frames, after co-pay, plus additional discounts where accepted.

Life Insurance: In the event of your death, your beneficiary will receive twice your annual salary. Supplementary policies for you and your dependents are available.

Long-Term Disability: Upon approval for along-term illness or injury, you can receive up to 60% of your earnings after a 90-day wait period.

Voluntary Benefits: Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity insurance; Short-Term Disability; Identity Theft Protection

3. RETIREMENT:
Pension:

• Choose from two (2) options:
  
  1. A Defined Benefit Pension plan pays a monthly benefit in retirement using a defined formula based on the employee's earnings history, tenure of service, and age. Our plan has a 5-year vesting period and an employee contribution of 5% of salary.
  2. A Defined Contribution 401a plan in which fixed contributions are paid into an individual's account by the employer, the contributions are invested, returns (positive or negative) are credited to the account, and the account balance is used to provide retirement benefits. The vesting schedule for our 401a plan is 33% after one year of service, 67% after two years of service, and 100% vesting after three years of service. There is no required contribution from salary. ( Note: the Defined Contribution retirement plan is the only plan available for Library employees ).

Supplement: Deferred Compensation 457 available for you to invest your own money for additional retirement savings.

4. VOLUNTARY:
Wellness:

• Gym Membership Reimbursement Program (up to $34.00 per month)
• Bicycle Commuter Program: Reimbursement up to $20 per month for reasonable bicycle commuting expenses
• Online wellness resources and Lunch-and-Learn Sessions

Employee Assistance Program:

• A variety of confidential, personal professional services for you and your family available 24 hours a day.

Tuition Reimbursement:

• Up to $1,500 for job-related certificates, trade programs, undergraduate coursework or up to $3,000 for graduate level courses per fiscal year for career-related courses.

Flexible Spending Accounts:

• Expense accounts available for healthcare, dependent care and parking/mass transit.

01


Please indicate your highest level of education obtained: (Your response must be verifiable in reference to the Education History section of your online application.)

• High School Diploma or GED
• Associates Degree
• Bachelor's Degree or higher
• None of the above

02


Please indicate your level of experience working in the Human Services field: (Your response must be verifiable in reference to the Work History section of your online application.)

• No experience related to this position.
• Less than one (1) year of relevant experience.
• One (1) to less than two (2) years of relevant experience.
• Two (2) to less than four (4) years of relevant experience.
• Four (4) years or greater.

03


Briefly describe your experience in the care and treatment of adolescents. If no experience, write "none."
04


This position requires driving to perform essential job duties and requires a valid driver's license. The candidate selected for this position must meet the driver eligibility requirements of the City and must provide a certified copy of their DMV driving record.Do you possess a valid driver's license and are you willing to provide a certified copy of your DMV driving record, if selected as a finalist, for the City to confirm your driving eligibility?

• Yes; I possess a valid driver's license and am willing to provide a certified copy of my DMV driving record.
• No; However, I am willing and able to obtain a valid driver's license and am willing to provide a certified copy of my DMV driving record.
• No; I do not have a valid driver's license, nor am I willing or able to obtain one, and/or am not willing to provide a certified copy of my DMV driving record.

05


To be considered, qualifying education and experience, including City of Charlottesville employment, must be clearly documented in the education, work history, and additional information sections of the employment application. Resumes can be attached but should not be used as a substitute for the required information on the application. I understand that an attached resume may not be accepted in place of a completed employment application and that my qualifications should be stated on the employment application itself.

• Yes
• No

06


I certify that the information above is true and correct, and I certify that it can be verified with reference to the information in my basic application. I understand that my application may be rejected if the responses to supplemental questions do not match my basic application.

• Yes
• No

Required Question