Juvenile Probation Officer - 80002302

State of Florida•Ocala, FL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Juvenile Probation Officer provides social services to support the rehabilitation of juvenile law offenders who are in custody, on probation, or on parole. The officer gathers information about youth and their families, assesses risks and needs, develops case-management strategies, makes service referrals, and recommends appropriate rehabilitation plans, treatment, education, employment stipulations, and supervision conditions. The position works with youth, families, victims, law enforcement, service providers, and judicial partners, and represents the Department of Juvenile Justice in court proceedings. The officer conducts contacts and visits in homes, schools, detention centers, placements, workplaces, and community settings; assists with educational, mental-health, substance-use, crisis-intervention, and other needs; monitors progress and supervision conditions; and responds to violations. The role also includes preparing court reports and related documents, testifying when appropriate, documenting activities in the Juvenile Justice Information System, coordinating transition and exit plans, collaborating with community providers, attending training and meetings, and following departmental policies and procedures. The position is based at Circuit 5 Probation & Community Intervention in Ocala, Florida. It may require evening and weekend work. The successful candidate must maintain CPR and First Aid certifications and obtain and maintain required Florida DJJ direct-care certification, including completing a mandatory residential training academy if not already certified.

Requirements

Four years of experience working directly with adolescents in criminal justice, social services, or education.
Valid driver’s license.
Maintain CPR and First Aid certifications throughout employment.
Obtain and maintain Florida Department of Juvenile Justice direct-care certification; candidates not already certified must complete the required certification within 180 days of employment and successfully complete a mandatory residential training academy in Quincy, Florida.
For roles involving transportation of youth, have a valid driver’s license and a three-year acceptable driving record as defined by FDJJ policy.
Be at least 19 years old and a high school graduate or equivalent.
Meet statutory eligibility requirements, including restrictions concerning felony or specified misdemeanor convictions and dishonorable military discharge, and comply with fingerprinting, background investigation, and other screening requirements.
Pass applicable sex-offender and criminal background checks and pre-employment drug screening.
Candidates not currently employed as a DJJ direct-care worker may be required to pass Ergometric’s IMPACT Assessment and Training Test after the interview phase.
Demonstrate knowledge of case-management practices, interviewing and counseling techniques, and computer programs.
Be able to recommend appropriate handling of delinquent youth, develop case plans, communicate effectively, prioritize work, and build effective relationships with community and judicial partners.
Be able to make independent decisions, conduct and document interviews, and communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

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.
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 gather collateral information from agencies involved with the youth or family.
Complete Department-approved screenings and risk-and-needs assessments, and formulate case-management strategies.
Refer youth and families to appropriate services and follow up on referrals.
Recommend supervision and treatment to the State Attorney and other judicial partners.
Complete Department and court screening instruments, case plans, reports, commitment packets, and termination-of-supervision documents.
Represent the Department at court hearings, prepare social histories and court reports, testify when appropriate, and prepare violation-of-probation affidavits or petitions.
Conduct face-to-face contacts in homes, schools, and community settings, including during evenings and weekends.
Assist youth in obtaining mental-health and substance-use evaluations, specialized testing, and treatment.
Support school and after-school enrollment and monitor attendance, academic performance, and behavior.
Provide crisis intervention and connect youth and families with crisis resources.
Help youth establish goals and plans, support progress, and discuss expected timelines and supervision conditions with youth and families.
Staff cases, plans, and violations with the unit supervisor and respond to violations using the Effective Response Matrix.
Conduct case staffing at milestones, benchmarks, complex-case points, and transition or exit planning stages.
Participate in transition and exit planning and arrange referrals for post-residential mental-health, substance-use, education, and workforce services.
Enter case-management activities and upload required documents to the Juvenile Justice Information System accurately and on time.
Maintain familiarity with community resources and provide input on service delivery, program development, and grant proposals when requested.
Attend and participate in professional-development trainings and meetings, and follow departmental policies, procedures, and administrative rules.