JUVENILE PROBATION OFFICER - 80061568

State of Florida•South Highpoint, FL

About The Position

This position provides social services to support the rehabilitation of juvenile law offenders who are in custody, on probation, or on parole. The officer assesses youth and family needs, develops case management strategies and recommendations, connects youth and families with services, and supports appropriate treatment, supervision, education, employment, and conditional-release planning. The position is based in Clearwater, Pinellas County, and may require evening and weekend work. The officer works with youth, families, victims, law enforcement, courts, schools, community providers, and other agencies. Duties span referral and assessment, court participation, case management and supervision, records management, and community collaboration. Officers document activities and required instruments in the Juvenile Justice Information System, participate in training, and follow departmental policies and procedures. Employment requires the specified background and eligibility checks, ongoing Protective Action Response, CPR, and First Aid certifications, and applicable direct-care certification. Candidates who are not already DJJ direct-care workers may need to pass the Ergometric IMPACT Assessment and Training Test. The position requires a valid driver’s license; transportation of youth requires an acceptable three-year driving record.

Requirements

Four years of experience working directly with adolescents in criminal justice, social services, or education.
Valid driver’s license.
Maintain Protective Action Response (PAR), CPR, and First Aid certifications throughout employment.
Meet the State of Florida statutory eligibility requirements, including being at least 19 years old, being a high school graduate or equivalent, and meeting criminal history and background-screening requirements.
Obtain direct-care certification under Florida Department of Juvenile Justice policy within 180 days of employment, including successfully completing the mandatory residential training academy in Quincy, Florida, and maintain the certification.
Candidates not currently employed as DJJ direct-care workers may be required to pass the Ergometric IMPACT Assessment and Training Test.
If hired with an out-of-state driver’s license while a Florida resident, obtain a valid Florida driver’s license within 30 days of hire.
For positions involving transportation of youth, have a valid driver’s license and an acceptable three-year driving record as defined by FDJJ policy.
Complete the candidate profile accurately and in full, including employment and non-employment periods, employment details, and verifiable qualifications.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
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 intern experience with the Department of Juvenile Justice or social service agency programs.
Concentration in social sciences or related disciplines, such as social work, sociology, or psychology.

Responsibilities

Initiate contact with youth, families, victims, and law enforcement when referrals are received.
Conduct home and school visits and gather information from collateral sources, including agencies involved with the youth or family.
Conduct and document department-approved screening and assessment instruments to identify risks, needs, protective factors, and needs for further evaluation.
Develop case management strategies and make service referrals, following up on actions taken.
Make supervision and treatment recommendations to the State Attorney and other judicial partners.
Complete departmental and court reports, screening instruments, case plans, and related documentation.
Represent the Department of Juvenile Justice at court hearings, prepare and maintain social histories and court reports, testify when appropriate, prepare violation-of-probation affidavits or petitions, and request hearings when appropriate.
Conduct face-to-face contacts with youth and families at homes, schools, detention centers, placements, workplaces, community sites, and other settings, including during non-traditional hours.
Assist youth and families with mental health and substance abuse evaluations, specialized testing, treatment, school enrollment, and crisis intervention services.
Help youth establish goals and plans, monitor progress, and discuss supervision conditions, expected timeframes, sanctions, and anticipated termination dates.
Address concerns, needs, risks, and supervision violations through case staffing, interventions, and follow-up in accordance with departmental policies and the Effective Response Matrix.
Conduct case staffing at milestones and other specified benchmarks and participate in transition and exit planning for youth leaving residential programs.
Enter case management activities, assessments, and case planning information into the Juvenile Justice Information System and upload required documents.
Maintain familiarity with community resources and provide input on service delivery issues, program development, and grant proposals when requested.
Attend professional development trainings and meetings and follow departmental policies, procedures, and administrative rules.