JUVENILE PROBATION OFFICER

JUVENILE PROBATION OFFICER

SALARY: $ 50,214.00 annual salary

REPORTS TO:

Facility Administrator (FA) and/or Designee

SUPERVISES:

N/A

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice, Social or Behavioral Sciences or a directly related field AND a minimum of one (1) year experience preferred in direct juvenile care, counseling, law enforcement, corrections or other related field.

Licenses, Certificates, and Experience

• Must be over twenty-one (21) years of age (for state certification requirements);
• Current Texas Driver's License and must have an automobile with current automobile insurance;
• Ability to communicate effectively (reading, writing, and understanding) in English is required; 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;
• Must be bondable

After Hire Licenses or Certificates

• Certification as a Juvenile Probation Officer (JPO) or eligible for certification within six (6) months of date of hire or transfer;
• Certification as a Juvenile Supervision Officer (JSO) or eligible for certification within six (6) months of date of hire or transfer;
• Must meet the requirements to become a Certified JPO and JSO in Texas which include: completing a minimum of 80 training hours covering the topics mandated by TJJD and pass the automated certification exam for JPOs and JSOs. The officer will be given two opportunities to pass the exam.
• Cardio- Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification and First Aid (FA);
• Handle with Care (HWC) State Approved Restraint Technique Certification

TYPICAL DUTIES

• Conducts placement intakes, assessments and screenings on all new admissions.
• Coordinates and attends medical and mental health services for residents under their supervision.
• Conducts school, office and home visits as required by Level of Supervision assigned.
• Ensures appropriate and timely documentation of assigned cases in JCMS.
• Conducts residential case plans, case plan reviews and exit plans as required by TJJD standard and in-house policy.
• Maintains regular contact with parents/guardians/custodians.
• Provide and assist with case management information for out of county probation departments.
• Prepare and submit monthly progress reports for all out of county residents in placement.
• Prepares and coordinates phone calls, visitations, level reviews, outings and parent engagements.
• Supervises and monitors residents while in placement.
• Prepares and submits referrals for consultation and ensures follow-up and documentation.
• Ensures resident receives appropriate court order(s), reads document to juvenile and parent and ensures understanding of obligation and responsibility with conditions set by the court.
• Prepares and submits referrals for social services provided in the community for resident and family.
• Assists the ARAVC and LIFE Programs and ensures the security, safety and welfare of the residents.
• Maintains placement file for all residents as required by TJJD standard and in-house policy.
• Knowledge of access to the Guardian RDIF website/program and use of Spartan hand-held device.
• Monitor and ensure staff compliance while using the Spartan hand-held device while conducting observation checks in the LIFE or Detention rooms.
• Monitor and ensure staff compliance while documenting paper observation logs when in the bays.
• Implements available treatment plans, corrective disciplinary strategies and effective treatment intervention programs. Ensures that residents are aware of and understand their responsibilities and appropriate behaviors.
• Facilitate cognitive skill groups and teamwork activities.
• Implement appropriate disciplinary sanctions and effective TBRI interventions.
• Maintain communication with other staff to ensure continuity of care.
• Provide oversight and participate in committees and special projects.
• Maintain documentation of all placement referrals, training certificates, group outings, high school and GED graduates and program outcomes to be used for grant statistical purposes.
• Provide oversight of the department's community-based Build to Re-Build program and supervision requirements for juveniles/family;
• Maintain documentation of all referrals, training sessions, group outings, projects built and outcomes to be used for grant statistical purposes.
• Prepare reports, graphs, charts, powerpoint presentations and timelines of placement data.
• Conducts investigations on the background of each case, which includes interviewing clients, their families and other significant contacts. Reviews documentation, such as police reports, court transcripts, criminal records, school records and attendance, home environment, mental stability and general attitude of the client to make assessments regarding the nature of the individual's environmental, employment, financial or domestic difficulties as they apply to the case. Makes recommendations for adjudication and disposition of probationer and prepares probation case plans.
• Provides individual and crisis intervention counseling, as required.
• Assists clients with various referrals, including, but not limited to, counseling, treatment and job referrals. Verifies attendance and completion of alcohol, drug, mental health counseling and any other court ordered programs.
• Prepares written assessments and recommendations to the court concerning alternative forms of sanction, treatment, custody release, release from treatment facilities, out-of-custody probation supervision, and compliance and progress during probation.
• Appears and testifies in court, conducts urinalysis, requests and executes Directives to Apprehend, obtains consents and other required paperwork.
• Maintains client files and records consistent with laws and policies and procedures.
• Transport residents to off-site locations, as required.
• MUST BE AVAILABLE for all emergencies to include, but not limited to: inclement weather, taking children into custody, transporting residents and probation youth to placement or emergency release facilities, doctor(s) office(s) as directed by Supervisor.
• Must be available to assist Pre and Post facilities in the supervision of residents in the event there is a staff shortage or an emergency due to unforeseen circumstances which may include shift work.
• May be required to provide direct supervision of all resident's daily activities, including but not limited to the education program, basic arts and crafts, outdoor activities all while maintaining safety and order of all residents. In addition, at times there may be the requirement to provide one-to-one supervision where appropriate to ensure the safety of youth including moderate or high risk suicide risk observation.
• Conduct random observation checks not to exceed ten (10) minutes on residents during non-program hours and anytime a resident is placed in their assigned room/housing unit either on a paper observation log or by using the Spartan handheld device via the Guardian RDIF program.
• Supervise resident placed on suicide classification and document observation checks as outlined in the facilities Suicide Prevention Intervention Plan.
• Monitor and documentation of resident behavior while conducting observation checks.
• Assign and supervise residents in daily housekeeping details as required by maintaining accountability of all residents and equipment and ensure that the environment is safe, clean, and secure. Immediately report all unsafe/unsecure areas to the shift supervisor.
• Ensure that residents are aware of and understand their responsibilities and appropriate behaviors as outlined in the resident handbook and discipline plan.
• Facilitate cognitive skill groups and teamwork activities.
• Facilitate and participate in Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) nurture groups and teamwork activities.
• Implement appropriate disciplinary sanctions and effective TBRI interventions while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Observe and document resident's behavior and maintain basic discipline and control of residents through careful and consistent enforcement of the rules, regulations and procedures.
• Maintain accountability of residents assigned to your care. Radio all movements, non-compliant behavior and head counts into control.
• Use Verbal De-escalation techniques to maintain control of situations.
• Properly apply a physical restraint as instructed by Handle With Care, when a juvenile is physically harming themselves or others, property damage over $50 and/or attempting to escape.
• A JPO shall not initiate or maintain an inappropriate relationship with any juvenile under the supervision of the CCJJD. An inappropriate relationship can include but is not limited to bribery, solicitation of gifts, favors or services from the resident or their families and/or any actions that could be construed as an inappropriate relationship.
• 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 while conducting business in the pre and post-adjudication facilities.
• 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 an effective safety program as established by Cameron County.
• 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.
• Attend staff meetings and trainings as required.
• 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 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.

SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

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.
• Standard counseling techniques
• Safety and security techniques and standards.
• Physical restraint techniques to prevent self-injurious and assaultive behavior and escape.

Skills In:

• Monitoring and responding to client behavior.
• Problem solving and decision making.
• Interviewing clients
• Both verbal and written communication.
• Basic Computer skills in word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages

Ability To:

• Gather, analyze and evaluate facts to conduct investigations and report results clearly, accurately and impartially.
• Required to possibly work different schedules in order to meet the needs of the program.
• Stand for long periods of time depending on the assignment you have been given.
• Work efficiently both independently and as part of a team.
• Reason and make judgments and decisions.
• Maintain client and program confidentiality.
• Deal effectively with mentally disturbed, hostile and aggressive individuals.
• Perform handle with care restraint technique
• 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 ENVIORNMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work Environment:

• Tobacco free environment.
• Absolutely no electronic devices, cell phones or smart watches allowed in the pre or post-adjudication facilities 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.
• Position involves a range of activities, from sitting at a desk for several hours to conducting home visits, school checks and curfew checks. While conducting these visits, all rules and guidelines of the juvenile probation department's policy regarding office safety will be followed. Communication via cell phone and/or assigned portable radio will be adhered to at all times.
• 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 lift/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.
• May require occasional search and apprehension of clients
• When back-up emergency response is needed, must be able to run to the requested location.

Work Uniforms:

• Must adhere to the CCJJD Dress Code Policy
• 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.

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