Emergency Services Probation Counselor (Probation Counselor III)

Fairfax County•Fairfax (Fj16), VA

12d•Hybrid

About The Position

This position provides emergency coverage when a vacancy occurs in the probation, intake, and residential services divisions of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court. This includes Domestic Relations, Community Corrections, Juvenile Intake, Juvenile Probation/Parole field units, and residential programs. This position requires the knowledge and experience equivalent to the position of Probation Counselor II, ensuring minimum disruption to client services as well as providing administrative assistance to the unit manager. Works under general supervision of the Probation Support Services Manager. Will be deployed to any unit needing assistance until such time that the vacancy or coverage need is filled. Assists in conducting quality assurance and continuous quality improvement reviews of workload. May provide oversight of the School Probation Officer program in cooperation with the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) Student Wellness and Safety office. Completes special projects at the request of the CSU’s leadership team. Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others.) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's degree in social/behavioral sciences, law enforcement, or education
Two years of professional experience in probation work
For positions in the Police Department only, two years of sworn law enforcement supervision may be substituted for the two years of professional experience in probation work
Knowledge of the principles of psychology and sociology
Knowledge of the practices and procedures of casework supervision and intake activities
Knowledge of Federal, State and local juvenile and domestic relations laws
Ability to speak and write effectively
Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of individuals
Ability to interpret laws, rules, and regulations related to probation work and victim services
Ability to interview and counsel clients
Ability to prepare complete case records and reports
Ability to use technology to enter and retrieve information
Valid Driver's License
Handle With Care (Required within 30 days)
CPR (Required within 30 days)
Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) (within 6 months)
Effective Practices in Community Supervision (EPICS) (within 1 year)
Criminal Background Investigation
Child Protective Services Registry Check
Driving Record Check
Sanction Screenings

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in sociology, criminology, psychology, social work, criminal justice, or a related field
Experience in case management, service plans, and risk assessments
Experience working in a residential facility
Proficient in evidence-based practices, such as EPICS and Motivational Interviewing
Experience writing court reports and/or documents
Experience testifying in court
Knowledge of the Code of Virginia
Proficiency using Microsoft Office, personal computer and cell phone
Bilingual in English and another language

Responsibilities

Serve as supervisor for Probation Counselor I, Probation Counselor II and/or Administrative Assistant positions
Actively participates in the selection, orientation, training and performance management process which includes evaluating performance, identifying goals and objectives, recognizing staff achievements, and coaching staff in overcoming performance or skill deficiencies
Plan, assign, organize, and direct the flow of work and activities
Determines and coordinates appropriate assessments, including family evaluation, alcohol and drug assessments, mental health assessments, and sex offender assessments
Convenes an interdisciplinary/inter-agency team to collaboratively plan, deliver and monitor multiple services
Makes an intake disposition, including decisions such as informal handling, rejection of a case on a jurisdictional basis, referral to other agencies or setting the case on the docket for a court hearing
Makes program admission and release decisions
Examines and evaluates the individual circumstances of each case referral
Ensures that subordinates adhere to agency operating procedures and standards adopted by the Code of Virginia and Virginia State Department of Juvenile Justice
Serves as a resource, trainer and policy expert for professional staff in providing appropriate custody and care, and ensuring the safety and welfare of juvenile or adult offenders or defendants
Evaluates effectiveness of methods and procedures and recommends changes
Participates in the development of policy and procedures
Manages the grant funded treatment contract with service providers
Maintains liaison with State and local law enforcement agencies
Interprets policies and regulations for clients
Works with other Counselors in the disposition of cases assigned
Composes and dictates case records, petitions and correspondence
Enforces court orders and conditions of supervised visitation and exchanges as required and ensures overall quality of the supervised visitation/supervised exchange program
Coordinates and implements mediation programs, assigns mediators and monitors quality of the programs
Manages the daily operation of an assigned wing of a residential facility
Makes final decision regarding care or treatment of residents that can be resolved at the shift level, deferring to higher level management as needed
Oversees and administers routine medication disbursement for residents
Handles crisis situations to include medical, mental health and behavioral crises as necessary
May be required to drive 15-passenger van for educational and recreational trips
Provides assistance in administrative oversight to the unit
Monitor funding grants
Responsible for short term responsibilities and projects that might normally be handled by upper management
Will perform supervisory functions in the absence of the Director
Serves as the point of contact for all victim service internal and external training for the department
Identifies appropriate training for victim services specialist
Maintains a caseload of court referred and volunteer clients who have been charged/convicted of impaired driving offenses and first time drug offenders
Interviews clients during intake process and assign appropriate program classification
Writes intake summary on each client interviewed and writes and prepares reports to the courts, clients and treatment providers
Conducts case management duties to include monitoring of ignition interlock
Monitors clients progress and make referral as needed
Testifies in court on non-compliant cases, make appropriate recommendations when requested by the judge
Administers alcohol breath tests to clients
Performs supervisory duties as assigned including supervising subordinate personnel, special projects, ancillary programs (which may include Victim Impact and other programs)
Serves as probation supervisor when that person is unavailable
Supervises the intake process and handles calls and emergency situations as they arise
Provides training and monitoring of staff as required with regard to intake and case management