Juvenile Probation Officer - 80002508

State of Florida•Cocoa, FL

4d•Onsite

About The Position

This position provides social services to assist in the rehabilitation of juvenile law offenders who are in custody, on probation, or on parole. The officer makes recommendations concerning rehabilitation plans and treatment, including conditional release and education and employment stipulations. The role is based at the Brevard Regional Detention Center Screening Unit in Cocoa, Florida, and involves work with youth, families, victims, law enforcement, courts, service providers, and community partners. The officer assesses youth risk and needs, develops case-management strategies and plans, makes service referrals, and monitors progress. Work includes home, school, and community visits, face-to-face contacts during business and nontraditional hours, crisis intervention, supervision, and assistance with education, treatment, and transition planning. The officer represents the Department at court hearings, prepares and maintains reports and other case documents, and may testify. Case-management activities and required documents are recorded in the Juvenile Justice Information System. The position requires four years of qualifying experience working directly with adolescents, or an associate degree and two years of qualifying experience, along with a valid driver’s license. Employees must maintain Protective Action Response certification and CPR and First Aid certifications. The successful candidate must obtain and maintain applicable Florida DJJ direct-care certification, including completing a mandatory residential training academy within the stated timeframe if not already certified.

Requirements

Four years of experience working directly with adolescents in criminal justice, social services, or education; alternatively, an associate degree from an accredited college or university and two years of such experience.
A valid driver’s license.
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 build and maintain effective working relationships with community and judicial partners for information sharing and collaboration.
Ability to make independent decisions based on individual analysis.
Strong verbal and written communication skills and ability to conduct and document interviews.
Must be at least 19 years old and a high school graduate or equivalent.
Must meet Florida statutory eligibility requirements, including restrictions related to felony and specified misdemeanor convictions, dishonorable military discharge, and required background screening and fingerprinting.
Must maintain Protective Action Response certification and CPR and First Aid certifications throughout employment.
Must obtain Florida DJJ direct-care certification within 180 days of employment if not already certified, complete the mandatory residential training academy in Quincy, Florida, and maintain certification.
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 after the interview phase.
For positions involving transportation of youth, must have a valid driver’s license and a three-year acceptable driving record.
A Florida resident hired with an out-of-state driver’s license must obtain a valid Florida driver’s license within 30 days of hire.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
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, and 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 information from collateral sources and agencies involved with youth and families.
Conduct and document Department screening and assessment instruments to identify youth risk, needs, protective factors, and need for further evaluations.
Develop case-management strategies and plans based on assessments and information gathered.
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 required screening instruments, reports, case plans, and court documents.
Represent the Department at court hearings, prepare 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 in homes, schools, detention centers, placements, workplaces, community locations, and other settings, including evenings and weekends.
Assist youth in obtaining mental health and substance-use evaluations, specialized testing, and treatment.
Assist youth and families with school and after-school enrollment, and monitor school attendance, academic performance, and behavior.
Provide crisis intervention and help youth and families access crisis services and resources.
Help youth establish goals and plans, provide ongoing support, and discuss progress, supervision conditions, projected timelines, and possible termination of supervision.
Staff cases, plans, and violations with the unit supervisor and respond to risks and concerns in accordance with policies and laws.
Determine recommended handling of law violations, provide interventions under the Effective Response Matrix, and follow up on responses.
Conduct case staffing at benchmarks, milestones, complex-case events, and other specified points in the supervision process.
Participate in transition and exit planning for youth leaving residential programs and arrange post-residential service referrals.
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 community-based services, program developments, and grant proposals when requested.
Attend and participate in professional-development training and meetings, and follow departmental policies, procedures, and administrative rules.