Juvenile Court School Liaison

Ankeny Community School District•Ankeny, IA

21h•Onsite

About The Position

The Juvenile Court School Liaison (JCSL) is a school-based support professional who collaborates with students, families, school staff, and Juvenile Court Services to improve behavior, attendance, academic engagement, and overall student success. The position supports at-risk and court-involved youth through case management, intervention planning, advocacy, and coordination of school and community resources. The JCSL provides direct support to referred students, including truancy prevention, conflict resolution, re-entry planning from out-of-home placements, and family engagement, while fostering positive relationships that reduce barriers to achievement and promote accountability, safety, and student well-being. The JCLO will primarily support the District’s high schools, with secondary support dedicated to middle school students.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in social work, criminal justice, psychology, education, counseling, human services, sociology, or a closely related field required.
Demonstrated knowledge of adolescent development, trauma-informed practices, behavior intervention strategies, and family systems.
Exceptional organizational skills with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.
Ability to independently interpret regulations and apply professional judgment to non-routine situations.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information with professionalism and discretion.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills and strong interpersonal/customer service abilities.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work independently in a fast-paced environment.
Background Clearance

Nice To Haves

Minimum of two (2) years of experience working with youth, families, schools, juvenile justice, social services, or related human service settings preferred.
Experience working with at-risk, court-involved, behaviorally challenged, or underserved youth strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary liaison between the school district, Juvenile Court Services, students, families, and community agencies to coordinate supports and interventions.
Provide case management services for referred students experiencing attendance, behavioral, academic, or court-related concerns.
Monitor and support student attendance through truancy prevention strategies, home contacts, family meetings, and collaboration with school personnel.
Assist students in developing positive behavioral skills, conflict resolution strategies, decision-making skills, and personal accountability.
Conduct individual student meetings, check-ins, mentoring, and supportive counseling within the scope of the position.
Participate in multidisciplinary team meetings, staffing meetings, IEP/504 meetings as appropriate, and court-related meetings when requested.
Support successful student transitions and re-entry planning following suspension, expulsion, detention, treatment placement, or alternative education settings.
Identify and connect students and families with community resources, counseling services, mentoring programs, and other supports.
Assist in crisis response, de-escalation, and safety planning involving students when appropriate and within training guidelines.
Communicate regularly with parents/guardians regarding student progress, concerns, interventions, and available resources.
Collaborate with administrators, counselors, teachers, school resource officers, and support staff to address student needs and improve outcomes.
Provide educational support related to school expectations, attendance laws, restorative practices, and available intervention services.
Maintain accurate, timely, and confidential case notes, reports, referral documentation, and required records in accordance with district and agency guidelines.
Prepare summaries, data, and reports regarding caseload trends, interventions, and program effectiveness as requested.
Demonstrate initiative and the ability to work without close supervision.
Demonstrate integrity and maintain confidentiality of privileged and sensitive information when received and distributed to appropriate designees as directed by the Superintendent or designee.
Demonstrate the ability to attend work on a regular and routine basis to avoid disruption to District operations.
Perform all duties in a safe manner to avoid injury to oneself and/or others.
Respond to emergency situations for the purpose of resolving immediate safety concerns and/or directing appropriate personnel for resolution.
Occasional evening or weekend work may be required to support district events or urgent matters.
Performs additional duties as assigned.