Community Activities Officer (FIELD COMPLIANCE OFFICER)

Cameron County•San Benito, TX

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Field Compliance Officer, under general supervision, provides assistance to Juvenile Probation Officers assigned to the Specialty Court or CCJJD's Community Based Programs. This role is part of the treatment team for these programs. The officer conducts monitoring visits, home visits, curfew checks, and school visits as per court orders or program descriptions. They are responsible for entering data into the JCMS and electronic monitoring system, installing and monitoring electronic monitoring equipment, and promptly informing Juvenile Probation Officers of any violations. The officer supervises juveniles during programming hours, such as community service activities or counseling sites, and reminds juveniles and families about court dates. They participate in weekly staffings to provide input on progress, monitor compliance with court orders and programmatic requirements, and maintain a tracking sheet for field contacts, phone calls, UA's, school visits, and home visits. Additionally, they coordinate and conduct urine drug testing, may conduct home visits during non-traditional hours and weekends, and testify in court as required. The role involves assisting in escorting, detaining, and transporting juveniles, as well as supporting community-based programs and supervision requirements. The officer prepares routine reports, utilizes evidence-based curriculum for group activities, and supervises juveniles to ensure compliance with court-ordered programs. They perform duties and coordinate with supervisors on operations and supervision matters consistent with the department's philosophy and objectives. The role requires maintaining conduct consistent with Cameron County employee standards and TJJD standards, including ethical requirements. Physical training may be required, and assistance in investigations and court testimony is expected. The officer monitors indirect supervision cases through monthly calls to homes, schools, places of employment, and correctional institutions. They must be available for emergencies, report suspected abuse or unprofessional conduct, attend staff meetings and trainings, and maintain required training hours for Community Activities Officer Certification. Adherence to professional conduct, ethical behavior, PREA standards, TJJD standards (including ANE), and CCJJD/Cameron County policies and procedures is mandatory. The role requires being a good role model and abiding by all federal, state, and local laws. Employment is contingent upon grant availability, and CCJJD is an At-Will employer. The officer performs other duties as assigned by the Chief Juvenile Probation Officer or designee.

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 and 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.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, team members, Judges, Attorneys, County Employees, juveniles, parents, and general public.
Must possess a high degree of maturity coupled with strong interest in young people and an ability to accept and work with all types of children and families to include those with mental health and/or substance abuse issues.
Monitoring and responding to juvenile's 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.
Skills in using independent judgment, initiative, discretion and ability to adhere to strict ethical and confidentiality standards.
Ability to develop, evaluate, and interpret policies, and procedures.
Use of security devices such as metal detector, etc.
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/or 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 relationships with departmental clientele, representatives of outside agencies, other county employees and officials, representatives of the juvenile justice system and the general public.
When in contact with law enforcement agencies, community leaders, and/or community groups, must be treated with respect.
Communicate in person, telephone, radio, written memorandum, and miscellaneous reports.
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.
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.
Will use assigned uniforms at all time. (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.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Provides assistance to Juvenile Probation Officers assigned to the Specialty Court or CCJJD's Community Based Programs.
Be part of the treatment team for Specialty Court and CCJJD's community based programs.
Conducts monitoring visits as per the court order, program description or at the request of supervising probation officer.
Conducts home visits, curfew checks, and school visits.
Enters data on JCMS and electronic monitoring system.
Installs and monitors the performance of the Electronic Monitoring equipment.
Informs Juvenile Probation Officers of any violations that occur in a timely manner.
Supervises juveniles during programming hours such as community service activities, counseling sites, or any location deemed necessary by the department or the Court.
Contacts juveniles and families and reminds them about court.
Participates in staffing's every week so that input can be provided on progress.
Monitors compliance with court orders and programmatic requirements.
Maintains a tracking sheet for field contacts, phone calls, UA's, school visits, home visits, etc.
Coordinates and conducts urine drug testing from juvenile probationers as requested by the Juvenile Probation Officer(s) and/or courts.
Home visits will be conducted any day of the week, preferably during nontraditional hours and weekends when assigned.
Testify in court as required by law when needed.
Assist in escorting, detaining, and transportation of juveniles as required by department.
Assist with the department's community-based programs and supervision requirements for juveniles/family.
Assist with community based programs and supervise any group activities.
Prepare various routine reports required by the department.
Utilize evidence based curriculum when assigned to do a group activity for community based programs.
Supervise juveniles in order to ensure compliance with All juvenile court ordered programs and services.
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 Probation 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 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.
Maintain required training hours for Community Activities Officer Certification.
Submitting reports to probation officers and /or supervisors as needed.
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 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.
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.