Community Activity Officer (Driver/Teacher Assistant JJAEP)

Community Activities Officer (Driver/Teacher Assistant J.J.A.E.P.)

SALARY: $32,475.00 per year

REPORTS TO:

Assigned Supervisor and/or designee

SUPERVISES:

N/A

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education and Experience:

Must have a High School Diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certificate. Some college education in Criminal Justice, Corrections, Social Work, Psychology, Sociology or a related field is preferred, but not required; Basic Computer skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint; Must work a flexible work schedule.

Licenses, Certificates, and Experience

• Must be over 21 years of age; (for State Certification)
• Current Texas Driver's License and must have current automobile insurance;
• Ability to communicate effectively (reading, writing, and understanding) in English; Bilingual is preferred;
• Able to submit to a drug urinalysis pre-screening exam and pass a criminal background check. If the candidate for employment does have a criminal record, it must be cleared through the requirements as set forth by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department;

After Hire Licenses or Certificates

• Community Activities Officer Certification within 6 months of hire;
• Cardio- Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification and First Aid (FA);
• Handle with Care (HWC) State Approved Restraint Technique Certification
• Abuse, Neglect & Exploitation & Code of Ethics Orientation
• Must complete on the job training

• Supervise program participants/juveniles in order to ensure compliance with All juvenile court ordered programs and services;
• Assist in the transportation and supervision of program youths to and from J.J.A.E.P. and/or school related activities;
• Assist the teachers in creating a classroom environment conducive to learning and appropriate for the physical, social and emotional development of students while maintaining a professional behavior at all times;
• Communicates and interacts appropriately with all students and staff;
• Ability to instruct students and manage their behavior;
• Assist the teachers in supervising the juveniles during classroom instruction/activities;
• Assist students with classroom assignments as needed;
• Assist with follow up on students who are truant by conducting phone calls and/or home visits;
• Assist with serving breakfast and lunch meals to students;
• Assist with supervising youths during state testing;
• Redirect youths who are having behavioral problems during programming hours;
• Take all the necessary precautions to protect students, equipment, materials and facilities;
• Works cooperatively with the JJAEP teachers to provide behavioral support for students according to the guidelines established in their IEP's;
• Review and write behavioral infraction reports related to student behavior;
• Collaborate with instructional staff to provide behavioral strategies;
• Perform pat-down searches in accordance to CCJJD policies and procedures;
• Perform campus and van searches as directed;
• Assist in program activities which will promote a level of social, cognitive, emotional and behavioral growth of youths referred to the program;
• Serve as a role model to youth and assist them in developing coping skills in order to refrain from re-offending;
• Utilize evidence-based curriculum when assigned to do group activity for community-based programs;
• Perform duties and coordinate with supervisor the operations, activities and supervision of probation matters that is consistent with the philosophy and objective of the Juvenile Justice Department;
• Maintains conduct consistent with standards expected of Cameron County employees as specified in the Cameron County Operations Employee Handbook and that of the Cameron County Juvenile Probation Department;
• Must comply with all Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) standards and Code of Ethics requirements;
• Knowledgeable and be able to perform physical training but not required;
• Assist in any investigations when required and be able to testify in court;
• Monitor and oversee Indirect Supervision cases by making monthly phone calls to juvenile(s) home, school, place of employment and adult correctional institutions to inquire about their status quo;
• MUST BE AVAILABLE for all emergencies to include, but not limited to; inclement weather, taking children into custody, transporting probation children to placement or emergency release facilities, doctor(s) office(s) as directed by supervisor;
• Responsible for reporting any and all suspected cases of abuse or unprofessional conduct on the part of another employee, to include supervisors;
• Attend staff meetings and trainings as required;
• Assist in escorting juveniles, transportation of juveniles;
• Submitting reports to probation officers and /or supervisors as needed;
• Conduct urine drug testing on juveniles as requested by juvenile probation officer(s);
• Adhere, maintain, and comply with professional conduct and ethical behavior consistent with the standards and policies and procedures expected by the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), TJJD, Cameron County, and Cameron County Juvenile Justice Department (CCJJD) at all time, both on duty and off duty.
• Adhere and comply with all PREA standards and will follow zero tolerance towards all forms of sexual abuse and sexual harassment.
• Adhere and comply with all TJJD standards to include Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation (ANE) standards and cooperate with all ANE investigations.
• Adhere and comply CCJJD's and Cameron County's policies and procedures and know how to keep abreast of any changes to said policies and procedures, including maintaining a effective safety program as established by Cameron County.
• Adhere to verbal de-escalation policies, procedures and practices; and
• Adhere to standards regarding use of personal and mechanical restraints, include prohibited techniques and criteria for use
• Adhere to suicide prevention policies, including the suicide prevention plan in residential facilities
• Adhere to TJJD disciplinary procedures
• Adhere to trauma- informed care
• Abide by all federal, state, and local laws; the nature of our profession requires being a good role model and setting a good example at all times.
• Employment is contingent upon federal, state, local and/or grants availability.
• CCJJD is an At-Will employer; the department has the right to terminate your employment for any legal reason, or no reason, at any time either with or without notice.
• Perform any and all other duties as assigned by the Chief Juvenile Probation Officer and/or designee to include reassignment which is in the best interest of the department.

Knowledge of:

• Policies, practices, procedures and legal terminology related to court system.
• Applicable Juvenile Justice System standards and procedures.
• Standard practices in area of assignment.
• General knowledge of providing trauma-informed care, establishing appropriate relationships, and social adjustment.
• Safety and security techniques and standards.
• Physical restraint techniques to prevent self-injurious and assaultive behavior and escape.

Skills In:

• Monitoring and responding to resident behavior.
• Problem solving and decision making.
• Both verbal and written communication.
• Basic Computer skills in word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages
• Driving 15 passenger van for transporting juveniles to and from home, school, and scheduled activities.

Ability To:

• Required to work morning, afternoons and evenings in order to meet the needs of the program
• Work efficiently both independently and as part of a team.
• Reason and make judgments and decisions.
• Maintain resident and program confidentiality.
• Deal effectively with mentally disturbed, hostile and aggressive individuals.
• Manage time well, perform multiple tasks, and organize diverse activities.
• Submit written documentation clearly, accurately, and impartially.
• Perform effectively and courteously in a stressful environment while maintaining a professional manner.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, representatives of outside agencies, other county employees and officials, representatives of the juvenile justice system and the general public.

Work Environment:

• Tobacco free environment.
• This position involves working with challenging youth where use of crisis intervention and de-escalation strategies may be necessary to ensure he safety of both youth and staff.
• Absolutely no electronic devices or cell phones allowed in the facility while either on/off shift.
• Moderate travel with little or no notice (emergency transport) requiring additional hours after scheduled shift and/or overnight stays may be required for transports or training.
• Subject to contact with communicable diseases, hazardous waste, human fecal manner and foul odors.
• Must be able to work in high noise level environment.
• At no time, will the review or use of social media be allowed while on duty, and/or on County provided electronic equipment, except in limited situations where such activity is work related and is authorized by the Chief Juvenile Probation Officer or designee.

Physical Demands:

• Physical requirements include the ability to life/carry up to 50-100 pounds, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and basic office equipment. Subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, balancing, repetitive motion, and squatting to perform essential functions.
• Subject to stressful environment and resident contact for extended periods of time.
• When back-up emergency response is needed, must be able to run to the requested location.

Work Uniforms:

• Will use county shirts and tennis shoes during programming hours at all times. No sandals.
• If visible tattoos, sleeves or cover ups must be worn.
• Sets the example regarding personal appearance with regards to hair being neatly trimmed and combed and tied back daily (women).
• Only jewelry allowed is a watch, wedding band and stud earrings for females. Necklaces may be worn inside your county issued shirt.

This is not a Civil Service covered position.

BENEFITS:

Cameron County Offers Excellent Fringe Benefits, Including: Health and Life Insurance Protection, Sick and Annual Leave, Retirement System, and Paid Holidays. Cameron County has a mandatory direct deposit payroll program.

AA/EEO/MFD EMPLOYER