Juvenile Probation Officer

Juvenile Probation

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Job Title: Juvenile Probation Officer

Salary Range: $43,473

Exempt/Non-Exempt: Non-Exempt
Employment Type: Full Time
Department: Ellis County Juvenile Services
Job Summary Description:
Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Chief Juvenile Probation Officer, the juvenile probation officer provides supervision and detailed case management of cases assigned to the JPO that are under the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court and Juvenile Services. A JPO also assists juveniles and their families in development of behavior modification case planning and in the identification of approved rehabilitative services within the community and outside of the community when necessary.

(This job description represents an overview of responsibilities and is NOT an exhaustive list of job duties.)

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Include but are not limited to the following
In addition to the duties, responsibilities granted by Title III of the Texas Family Code and the Texas Administrative Code, a JPO will have the following responsibilities:
• Primarily responsible for providing juvenile probation services and supervision duties authorized under statutory and agency administrative law (includes court ordered and non-court ordered supervision);
• Establishes and performs casework objectives through interviewing and counseling with the client, his or her family and with treating providers and school. Includes office, field work, and home visits;
• Prepares and submits court reports for court proceedings on a timely basis and prepares necessary case information. Attend court hearings and provide information to the Court as required;
• Develops initial and subsequent case plans for assigned youth and conducts reviews in accordance with department policy and the Texas Juvenile Justice Commission standards. Also responsible for obtaining the requisite signatures and/or approvals on the case plans;
• Prepares and finalizes social history reports for youth;
• Interacts with community agencies, law enforcement, law enforcement personnel, court personnel, school officials, mental health professionals, private attorneys, supervisors, peers, victims and the general public;
• Assesses and coordinates treatment for clients and families as needed and follows up to assess effectiveness of treatment;
• Maintains and updates chronological dictation reflecting contacts and casework initiated with clients, family members, victims, school officials, service providers and community agencies;
• Coordinates actions with staff and approved outside authorities concerning case progression;
• Transports clients and family members for court and community service appointments when necessary;
• Schedules and conducts supervision contacts with clients (includes face-to-face contacts in the office, in the field, and in the youth’s residence;
• Testify in court when necessary;
• Responsible for approved dispositional recommendations in formal court proceedings;
• Provides behavioral support and counseling intervention within specialized programs;
• Performing all other related duties involved in the operation of Juvenile Services as assigned or required.

Educational& Job Requirements:
• Must be at least 21 years of age;
• Must have a valid Texas Driver’s License;
• Must have acquired a bachelor’s degree from a college or university that is accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board;
• Must have one year of graduate study in criminology, corrections, counseling, law, social work, psychology, sociology, or other field of instruction approved by the Commission or qualifying work experience in accordance with Title 37, § 344.210 of the Texas Administrative Code;
• Must have or obtain certifications from the Texas Juvenile Justice Department for a juvenile probation officer and juvenile supervision officer within six (6) months of hire;
• Must maintain active Juvenile Probation Officer and Juvenile Supervision Officer Certifications as a condition of employment;
• Must be of good moral character and have no disqualifying criminal history in accordance with the Texas Administrative Code, the Policy and Procedures of Ellis County Juvenile Services and in accordance with Ellis County Human Resources;
• May never had any type of certification revoked by lawful authority of the Texas Juvenile Justice Commission and not be currently under an order of suspension as described in Title 37, §344.840(d) of the Texas Administrate Code;
• Must be willing to assist in the juvenile short term detention facility when necessary;
• Must be able to work a flexible schedule which can include evenings, weekends and after hours
• Must be able to be on call per rotation.
• Must be able to pass a finger print based state criminal history background check.

Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:
• Ability to speak, read and write the English language; bilingual Spanish/English preferred but not required.
• Ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously and prioritize key tasks.
• Ability to exhibit positive customer service with the ability to interact and communicate with diverse individuals and groups.
• Ability to represent the department in a professional manner.
• Knowledge of the methods and procedures involved in budget justification and control.
• Considerable knowledge of the philosophy and operations of the Juvenile Justice System and the laws and procedures of the Juvenile Court.
• Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration, organization and supervision.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to become trained in restraint techniques.
• Thorough knowledge of principles of juvenile detention.
• Regular attendance is essential and includes arriving at work on time and prepared to perform assigned duties and work assigned on schedule.

Work Experience:
At least one (1) year of work experience in the field of juvenile justice, case management, juvenile supervision or probation, counseling, behavioral science, or in a related field preferred.

Physical Demands:
Thy physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

The employee is frequently required to stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, stand, walk, sit and reach with hands and arms. Must be able to list at least twenty-five pounds. In addition the employee needs to have the ability to become trained in restraint techniques which involve flexibility (e.g ability to ben at the knees, waist, bend arms, etc.), and ability to place full body weight and weight another on knees and ability to take a deep step back, ability to twist body at torso and the ability to move suddenly and quickly and the ability to assist others in restraint of juveniles when necessary.

Mental Demands:
Must have the ability to apply common sense understanding to carry to instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form and the ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variable in standardized situations.
Must have the ability to work in stressful situations.

Judgment:
This position requires the person to work relatively independently, be able to use their judgment independently, work within the policies and procedures of Ellis County and Ellis County Juvenile Survives and work within the perimeters of the Texas Family Code (Juvenile Justice Code), the Texas Administrative Code and the law as it pertains to juvenile justice.

In addition this position requires the person to use creativity within established parameters to assist juveniles in satisfying their probationary requirements and in assisting with finding and implementing rehabilitative services to juveniles and their families.

An offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of CPS and background checks, including reference checks, license checks, and criminal history checks.
To apply for this position you MUST submit an Ellis County Employment Application to:
ELLIS COUNTY
HUMAN RESOURCES
101 W MAIN ST, SUITE B103
WAXAHACHIE, TX 75165
Applications may be downloaded from this website
ELLIS COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

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