Juvenile Probation Officer - Gang Court

Harris County • Houston, TX

1d • $58,573 • Onsite

About The Position

The Specialty Court Juvenile Probation Officer provides intensive supervision and family support, collaborates with service providers, and reports information to support program-level supervision, treatment, and case plan goals. The position responds to inquiries from legal representatives and juvenile-justice-involved entities and reports supervision outcomes to the unit supervisor or administration.

The role is within Health Services at the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department. Health Services oversees medical, psychological, and treatment programs, including specialty courts intended to address factors affecting youth functioning. The department states that it employs over 1,200 professionals and works to improve outcomes for youth, reduce racial disproportionality, and promote a safe environment for staff and residents.

This is a grant-funded, full-time position based at 1200 Congress St. Typical hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; late nights and weekends may be required if necessary or scheduled. Employment is contingent on passing a background check and drug screen.

Requirements

• Complete the HCJPD Standard Basic Spelling & Grammar assessment with a minimum score of 80%.
• Hold a bachelor's degree from a college or university accredited by an organization recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and meet either of these conditions: one year of graduate study (18 completed post-graduate hours) in criminology, corrections, counseling, law, social work, psychology, sociology, or another closely related field; or at least 1,500 hours of paid or unpaid experience within 12 months (not necessarily consecutive) working in a social service, community, corrections, or juvenile agency serving offenders or disadvantaged persons.
• Possess a valid driver's license and have insured transportation available for use on the job, with liability coverage meeting statutory requirements.
• Maintain a valid Texas driver's license and liability insurance coverage at least equal to the minimum amounts required by law.
• Have working knowledge of departmental policies and procedures and Texas Juvenile Justice Department standards.
• Have working knowledge of adolescent development and the focus area addressed by the specialty court.
• Have working knowledge of community resources.
• Apply knowledge of the Harris County data processing system, casework system, and legal procedures relevant to juvenile court delinquency matters.
• Have general knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
• Know pat-down, restraint, and transportation policies and procedures, and documentation required to place youth in placement.
• Be able to obtain and maintain active Juvenile Probation Officer certification in accordance with Texas Juvenile Justice Department requirements.
• Be at least 21 years old.
• Undergo a criminal background check and drug screening after receiving a conditional job offer, and provide evidence of a tuberculosis skin test. If the test result is positive, additional documentation is required.
• Be subject to random drug and alcohol testing and testing based on reasonable suspicion of prohibited substance use during the course and scope of employment.
• Provide certified copies of educational transcripts and/or college credits during the hiring process.
• Be prepared to work with challenging youth, where crisis intervention and de-escalation strategies may be necessary to ensure the safety of youth and staff.
• Document qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills on the job application; resume attachments may support the application, but information stated only on a resume will not be used for consideration.

Responsibilities

• Meet with and monitor youth.
• Manage case files in a timely manner, including field, school, detention, and placement visits; telephone contacts; assessment tools; GPS monitoring; court reports; progress notes; case plans; community-resource referrals; and documentation and data entry of services and activities.
• Adhere to applicable policies and standards and complete other tasks needed for each case.
• Staff cases with service providers, legal representatives, supervisors, and other appropriate parties to triage or discuss continuity of care for youth.
• Assist Specialty Court Juvenile Probation Officers, Health Services Supervisors, and the Program Manager or Administrator as needed.
• Assist with transportation of youth and facilitate transfer or release.
• Respond to inquiries from legal representatives and juvenile-justice-involved entities and report supervision outcomes to the unit supervisor or administration.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time