Hearing Officer (Probation Counselor III)

Fairfax County•Fairfax (Fj16), VA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Hearing Officer (Probation Counselor III) works in the Central Intake Unit of the Intake Division under general supervision. The position presides over diversion hearings for appropriate juvenile offenders, held at the courthouse or county satellite offices. Using evidence-based assessments, the Hearing Officer determines and assigns appropriate service interventions and provides low-level case management to support compliance. The role also provides juvenile intake services, assessing complaints for appropriate informal or formal handling based on jurisdiction, venue, probable cause, and applicable laws, policies, and procedures. The Hearing Officer may file petitions, make decisions about shelter care and detention orders using the detention assessment instrument, prepare cases for detention hearings, testify in court, and submit recommendations to judges. Additional duties include maintaining intake and case-management records in BADGE, supporting training and presentations, maintaining staffing and appointment calendars, supervising relief intake officers, and overseeing the processing of law-enforcement faxed intakes. The position is classified as Emergency Service Personnel and must report to work during county-designated unscheduled leave situations, regardless of the emergency. The appointee must complete a criminal background investigation, Child Protective Services Registry check, and driving record check. Selection may include a panel interview and practical exercise.

Requirements

Master's degree from an accredited college or university in social or behavioral sciences, law enforcement, or education, or an equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.
Two years of professional experience in probation work. For positions in the police department only, two years of sworn law-enforcement supervision may substitute for the probation-work experience.
Valid driver's license required at the time of application.
Ability to operate a motor vehicle and travel to field units throughout Fairfax County.
Ability to communicate clearly in writing, in person, and by telephone, and to enter and retrieve data using a computer.
Ability to report to work during county-designated unscheduled leave situations as Emergency Service Personnel.
Successful completion of a criminal background investigation, Child Protective Services Registry check, and driving record check.
Knowledge of psychology and sociology, casework supervision and intake practices, and federal, state, and local juvenile and domestic relations laws.
Ability to speak and write effectively, build effective working relationships, interpret laws and regulations, interview and counsel clients, prepare complete case records and reports, and use technology to enter and retrieve information.

Nice To Haves

Three years of experience working in the juvenile justice system.
Experience researching and interpreting the Code of Virginia.
Experience in case management and intake.
Experience collaborating with other agencies and service providers.
Working knowledge of court-system software, including BADGE.
Basic ability to use Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel.
Bilingual ability in English and another language is encouraged.

Responsibilities

Preside over juvenile diversion hearings and assign service interventions based on evidence-based assessment results.
Provide low-level case management to ensure compliance with assigned interventions.
Provide intake services and assess cases for informal or formal handling based on jurisdiction, venue, probable cause, and applicable standards and procedures.
File petitions as appropriate and make decisions regarding shelter care and detention orders in accordance with the detention assessment instrument.
Prepare cases for court detention hearings, testify in court, and provide outcome recommendations to judges.
Update and maintain BADGE intake and case-management databases.
Provide training and presentations on intake services for court staff, agency meetings, and the public as needed.
Maintain the unit staffing calendar and coordinate with administrative staff to maintain the juvenile and domestic appointment calendar.
Supervise relief intake officers through individual supervision meetings, work review, and annual evaluations.
Oversee receipt and processing of faxed intakes from law-enforcement officers.
Plan, assign, organize, and direct work and activities; participate in staff selection, orientation, training, and performance management, as applicable.
Coordinate appropriate assessments and convene interdisciplinary or inter-agency teams to plan, deliver, and monitor services, as applicable.
Make intake disposition, program admission, and release decisions; evaluate case circumstances and refer cases or set them for court hearings as appropriate.
Ensure staff adherence to agency operating procedures and standards under the Code of Virginia and Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice.
Serve as a resource, trainer, and policy expert; evaluate procedures and recommend changes; participate in policy development.
Manage grant-funded treatment contracts and maintain liaison with state and local law-enforcement agencies, as applicable.
Interpret policies and regulations for clients and collaborate with other counselors on case dispositions.
Prepare case records, petitions, and correspondence.
Perform other class duties described in the posting for specialized assignments, including supervised visitation, mediation, residential services, victim services, or ASAP case management, where assigned.