Community Activity Officer (Driver/Teacher Assistant JJAEP)

Cameron County•San Benito, TX

22h•$32,475•Onsite

About The Position

The Community Activities Officer (Driver/Teacher Assistant J.J.A.E.P.) is responsible for supervising program participants/juveniles to ensure compliance with all court-ordered programs and services. This role involves assisting in the transportation and supervision of youths to and from J.J.A.E.P. and school-related activities. The officer will also assist teachers in creating a conducive classroom environment, supporting student development, and managing behavior. Key duties include communicating with students and staff, instructing students, supervising during classroom activities and state testing, assisting with truancy follow-up, serving meals, and redirecting behavioral issues. The position requires taking precautions to protect students and facilities, collaborating with teachers on IEPs, writing behavioral infraction reports, and performing pat-down and campus searches. The role also involves assisting in program activities to promote youth growth, serving as a role model, utilizing evidence-based curriculum, coordinating operations with supervisors, and maintaining conduct consistent with county and departmental standards. Compliance with Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) standards, Code of Ethics, and Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) is mandatory. The position may require physical training, assisting in investigations, testifying in court, monitoring indirect supervision cases, and being available for emergencies. The officer is responsible for reporting suspected abuse or unprofessional conduct and attending required meetings and trainings. Duties also include escorting and transporting juveniles, submitting reports, conducting urine drug testing, adhering to de-escalation policies, and understanding restraint techniques and suicide prevention policies. The position requires adherence to trauma-informed care principles and all applicable laws. Employment is contingent upon grant availability, and the position is at-will.

Requirements

Must have a High School Diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certificate
Basic Computer skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint
Must work a flexible work schedule
Must be over 21 years of age
Current Texas Driver's License
Must have current automobile insurance
Ability to communicate effectively (reading, writing, and understanding) in English
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
Knowledge of: Policies, practices, procedures and legal terminology related to court system.
Knowledge of: Applicable Juvenile Justice System standards and procedures.
Knowledge of: Standard practices in area of assignment.
Knowledge of: General knowledge of providing trauma-informed care, establishing appropriate relationships, and social adjustment.
Knowledge of: Safety and security techniques and standards.
Knowledge of: Physical restraint techniques to prevent self-injurious and assaultive behavior and escape.
Skills In: Monitoring and responding to resident behavior.
Skills In: Problem solving and decision making.
Skills In: Both verbal and written communication.
Skills In: Basic Computer skills in word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages
Skills In: 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
Ability To: Work efficiently both independently and as part of a team.
Ability To: Reason and make judgments and decisions.
Ability To: Maintain resident and program confidentiality.
Ability To: Deal effectively with mentally disturbed, hostile and aggressive individuals.
Ability To: Manage time well, perform multiple tasks, and organize diverse activities.
Ability To: Submit written documentation clearly, accurately, and impartially.
Ability To: Perform effectively and courteously in a stressful environment while maintaining a professional manner.
Ability To: 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.

Nice To Haves

Some college education in Criminal Justice, Corrections, Social Work, Psychology, Sociology or a related field is preferred, but not required
Knowledgeable and be able to perform physical training but not required
Knowledge of Spanish is preferred

Responsibilities

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
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
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
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.