JUVENILE PROBATION OFFICER - 80082513

State of Florida•Sanford, FL

6d•Onsite

About The Position

This position provides social services to assist with the rehabilitation of juvenile law offenders who are in custody or on probation or parole. The officer gathers information about youth and their families, assesses risks and needs, develops case-management strategies, and recommends rehabilitation plans and treatment, including conditional release and education and employment stipulations. The role involves working with youth, families, victims, law enforcement, courts, community providers, and other agencies throughout the juvenile justice process. The officer conducts home, school, and community visits; completes department-approved screenings, assessments, reports, and case plans; makes service referrals and follows up; supports youth and families with education, treatment, crisis services, and goal setting; and monitors compliance with supervision conditions. The officer represents the Department of Juvenile Justice in court, prepares court documents and reports, testifies when appropriate, and addresses supervision violations. The role also requires maintaining accurate case records in the Juvenile Justice Information System, coordinating transition and exit planning, collaborating with community partners, and attending required training and meetings. The position is located in Sanford/Seminole County. It may require evening and weekend work, along with visits to homes, schools, detention centers, residential placements, workplaces, community sites, provider offices, and other agencies. The successful candidate must maintain a valid Florida driver’s license and required certifications, and must complete state direct-care certification training within 180 days of employment if not already certified.

Requirements

At least four years of experience working directly with adolescents in criminal justice, social services, or education.
A valid driver’s license; a valid Florida driver’s license must be maintained.
Knowledge of case-management practices and interviewing and counseling techniques.
Knowledge of computer programs.
Ability to make recommendations concerning the processing and handling of delinquent youth.
Ability to develop case plans and communicate effectively.
Ability to determine work priorities.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with community and judicial partners for information sharing and collaboration.
Ability to make independent decisions based on individual analysis, communicate verbally and in writing, and conduct and document interviews.
Must be at least 19 years of age and a high school graduate or equivalent.
Must meet statutory eligibility requirements, including specified criminal-history and discharge restrictions, fingerprinting and background screening requirements, and submission of the required affidavit.
Must maintain Protective Action Response (PAR), CPR, and First Aid certifications throughout employment.
Must be certified under Florida DJJ direct-care training policy or obtain certification within 180 days of employment by completing the mandatory residential training academy in Quincy, Florida.
Candidates not currently employed in the state system as a DJJ direct-care worker may be required to pass the Ergometric IMPACT Assessment and Training Test.
Must undergo applicable sex-offender, criminal-background, and pre-employment drug screening.

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.
Experience as a volunteer or intern with the Department of Juvenile Justice or social service agency programs.
A concentration in social sciences or related disciplines, such as social work, sociology, or psychology, with experience working with people.

Responsibilities

Initiate contact with youth, families, victims, and law enforcement when referrals are received.
Conduct home and school visits and gather collateral information from agencies involved with youth and families.
Complete and document department-approved screenings and assessments to identify risks, needs, protective factors, and need 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 judicial partners.
Complete department and court screening instruments, case plans, reports, and related documents.
Represent the Department of Juvenile Justice during court hearings and support departmental recommendations.
Prepare and maintain social histories, court reports, referral letters, correspondence, affidavits, and petitions for violations of probation; request hearings when appropriate.
Conduct risk and needs assessments for youth screened or supervised by the department.
Conduct face-to-face contacts with youth and families in homes, schools, and community settings, including during non-traditional hours.
Maintain communication with youth and families and gain firsthand knowledge of the youth’s residence and environment through visits to relevant locations.
Assist youth in obtaining mental health and substance abuse evaluations, specialized testing, and treatment as needed.
Help youth and families with school and after-school enrollment, and monitor attendance, academic performance, and behavior.
Provide crisis intervention support and referrals, and follow up on actions taken.
Help youth establish personal goals and provide ongoing support toward achieving goals and maintaining skills.
Discuss goal timeframes, supervision conditions, sanctions, and anticipated supervision termination dates with youth and families.
Staff cases, plans, or violations with the unit supervisor and determine recommended responses to law violations and supervision violations in accordance with applicable policies and procedures.
Conduct case staffing at milestones, benchmarks, complex-case events, and transition or exit planning points.
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, screenings, assessments, and case-planning information into the Juvenile Justice Information System (JJIS).
Upload required forms and documents to JJIS in accordance with applicable rules.
Maintain familiarity with community resources and provide input on service-delivery issues, program development, and grant proposals when requested.
Attend and participate in professional development trainings and meetings, and follow departmental policies, procedures, and administrative rules.