JUVENILE PROBATION OFFICER - 80004353

State of Florida•CLEARWATER, FL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Juvenile Probation Officer provides social services to support the rehabilitation of juvenile law offenders in custody or on probation or parole. The role assesses youths’ risks and needs, develops case-management strategies, and makes recommendations about rehabilitation, treatment, conditional release, education, and employment stipulations. The officer works with youth, families, victims, law enforcement, service providers, and judicial partners, including through home, school, and community contacts. Responsibilities span intake and assessment, referrals, court preparation and participation, supervision and interventions, records management, and community collaboration. The officer documents case activities and required screening and court reports in the Juvenile Justice Information System, assists youth and families with services and goal planning, responds to violations and crises, and helps plan transitions from residential programs. The position is based in Clearwater, Pinellas County, and is designated as a 3:00–11:00 p.m. shift. Non-traditional hours, including evenings and weekends, may also be required.

Requirements

At least four years of experience working directly with adolescents in criminal justice, social services, or education.
A valid driver’s license.
Maintain Protective Action Response (PAR), CPR, and First Aid certifications throughout employment.
Obtain and maintain State of Florida Department of Juvenile Justice direct-care certification; candidates who are not already certified must complete the required certification, including a mandatory residential training academy, within 180 days of employment.
Meet the statutory eligibility requirements, including being at least 19 years old, having a high school diploma or equivalent, and satisfying the specified criminal-history, discharge, fingerprinting, and background-screening requirements.
Candidates who transport youth in work-related duties must have a valid driver’s license and a three-year acceptable driving record as defined by Department policy.
Candidates not currently working as direct-care workers in the state system may be required to pass the Ergometric IMPACT Assessment and Training Test.
Undergo applicable sex-offender, criminal background, and pre-employment drug screening checks.

Nice To Haves

A bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
An associate degree from an accredited college or university and two years of experience working directly with adolescents in criminal justice, social services, or education.
Certification as a State of Florida Juvenile Probation Officer.
Volunteer or internship experience with the Department of Juvenile Justice or social service agency programs.
A concentration in social sciences or a discipline involving work with people, such as social work, sociology, or psychology.

Responsibilities

Initiate contact with youth, families, victims, and law enforcement when referrals are received, and conduct home and school visits to gather information and involve families.
Obtain and review collateral information about a youth’s history, education, mental health, substance use, gang-related activity, and other relevant matters.
Conduct and document Department of Juvenile Justice screening and assessment instruments to identify risks, needs, protective factors, and the need for further evaluation.
Develop case-management strategies based on assessments and gathered information, make service referrals, and follow up on required actions.
Recommend supervision and treatment options to the State Attorney and judicial partners.
Complete Department and court screening instruments, case plans, reports, commitment packets, and supervision termination documentation.
Represent the Department at court hearings, prepare social histories and court-related documents, testify when appropriate, prepare violation-of-probation affidavits or petitions, and request hearings when appropriate.
Conduct face-to-face contacts with youth and families in homes, schools, detention centers, placements, workplaces, community sites, provider locations, and offices.
Assist youth in obtaining mental health and substance abuse evaluations, specialized testing, and treatment; help youth and families with school enrollment and monitor attendance, performance, and behavior.
Provide crisis intervention and referrals, support youth in setting and achieving goals, and discuss supervision conditions, goal timelines, and anticipated supervision completion.
Staff cases with the unit supervisor, determine recommended responses to law violations, provide appropriate interventions, and follow up on responses.
Conduct case staffing when milestones, benchmarks, violations, complex circumstances, or transition and exit planning require it.
Participate in transition and exit planning for youth leaving residential programs, including referrals for mental health, substance abuse, education, and workforce services.
Enter case-management activities and upload required documents to the Juvenile Justice Information System in accordance with applicable rules.
Maintain familiarity with community resources, provide input on community-based service delivery and program development, and contribute to grant proposals when requested.
Attend and participate in professional development trainings and meetings, and follow departmental policies, procedures, and administrative rules.