JUVENILE PROBATION OFFICER - 80004353

State of Florida•CLEARWATER, FL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Juvenile Probation Officer provides social services to support rehabilitation of juvenile law offenders in custody, on probation, or on parole. The officer assesses the youth’s risks and needs, gathers information from the youth, family, victims, law enforcement, schools, and other agencies, and develops case management strategies and recommendations for treatment, services, education, employment, and conditional release. The officer serves as a Department of Juvenile Justice representative in court proceedings, prepares reports and other documentation, and may testify at hearings. The role includes ongoing supervision and intervention with youth and families, including face-to-face contacts in homes, schools, detention centers, placements, workplaces, and community settings. Contacts may take place during evenings and weekends as well as business hours. The position also requires maintaining case records in the Juvenile Justice Information System, collaborating with community and judicial partners, participating in transition and exit planning, and following departmental policies and procedures. Juvenile Probation Officers must maintain Protective Action Response, CPR, and First Aid certifications. Successful candidates must complete applicable direct-care certification, including a mandatory residential training academy in Quincy, Florida, within 180 days of employment if not already certified.

Requirements

Four years of experience working directly with adolescents in criminal justice, social services, or education.
A valid driver's license is required.
Maintain Protective Action Response (PAR), CPR, and First Aid certifications throughout employment.
Complete State of Florida Department of Juvenile Justice direct-care certification or obtain it within 180 days of employment; certification requires successful completion of a mandatory residential training academy in Quincy, Florida.
Meet the statutory eligibility requirements, including being at least 19 years old and a high school graduate or equivalent.
Pass applicable sex offender, criminal background, and pre-employment drug checks.
If transporting youth as part of work duties, have a valid driver's license and a three-year acceptable driving record.
Candidates not already in the state system as DJJ direct-care workers may be required to pass Ergometric's IMPACT Assessment and Training Test.
Complete the Candidate Profile in full, including accurate employment and non-employment history and verifiable qualifications.

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 related discipline, 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 collect collateral information from agencies involved with the youth or family.
Complete and document departmental screening and assessment instruments to identify risks, needs, protective factors, and need for further evaluation.
Develop case management strategies based on assessments and information gathered.
Refer youth and families to appropriate services and follow up on referrals.
Recommend supervision and treatment options to the State Attorney and other judicial partners.
Prepare departmental and court reports, screening instruments, case plans, social histories, referral letters, and related correspondence.
Represent the Department of Juvenile Justice at court hearings, testify when appropriate, prepare violation-of-probation affidavits or petitions, and 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 evenings and weekends.
Maintain communication with youth and families and gain firsthand knowledge of their living and community environments.
Assist youth in obtaining mental health and substance abuse evaluations, specialized testing, and treatment.
Help youth and families with school and after-school enrollment, and monitor attendance, academic performance, and behavior.
Provide crisis intervention support and connect youth and families with crisis services and resources.
Help youth establish personal goals and provide ongoing support toward achieving those goals and maintaining skills.
Discuss goal timeframes, supervision conditions, sanctions, progress, and anticipated supervision termination dates with youth and families.
Coordinate with the unit supervisor regarding case concerns, risks, violations, and recommended interventions in accordance with policy and law.
Determine appropriate handling and interventions when youth violate supervision conditions, and follow up on actions taken.
Conduct case staffing at benchmarks, milestones, complex-case events, violations, 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, 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 comply with departmental policies, procedures, and administrative rules.