JUVENILE PROBATION OFFICER - 80061484

State of Florida•Fort Lauderdale, FL

62d•Onsite

About The Position

The Juvenile Probation Officer provides social services to assist in the rehabilitation of juvenile law offenders who are in custody, on probation, or on parole. The officer assesses youths’ risks and needs, develops case-management strategies and rehabilitation plans, recommends treatment and supervision approaches, and makes recommendations regarding matters such as conditional release, education, and employment stipulations. The role works with youth and families, victims, law enforcement, service providers, and judicial partners across the juvenile justice continuum. The position is based in Probation & Community Intervention Circuit 17, Fort Lauderdale and Margate, Florida. It may require evening and weekend hours and involves visits to homes, schools, detention centers, workplaces, treatment providers, and other community settings. The officer conducts interviews and screenings, gathers and reviews collateral information, develops and follows up on service referrals, supports youth and families in accessing treatment and education, monitors compliance and progress, responds to crises and violations, and participates in transition and exit planning. The position also prepares reports and court documents, represents the Department of Juvenile Justice at hearings, testifies when appropriate, and maintains complete case records in the Juvenile Justice Information System. The successful candidate must maintain CPR and First Aid certifications and meet Florida Department of Juvenile Justice direct-care certification requirements, including completing a mandatory residential training academy within 180 days of employment if not already certified. A valid driver’s license is required. Hiring is subject to background and sex-offender checks and pre-employment drug screening. Candidates not already working in the state system as a DJJ direct-care worker may be required to pass the Ergometric IMPACT Assessment and Training Test.

Requirements

Four years of experience working directly with adolescents in criminal justice, social services, or education.
A valid driver’s license.
Knowledge of case-management practices, interviewing and counseling techniques, and computer programs.
Ability to make recommendations concerning the processing and handling of delinquent youth and to develop case plans.
Ability to communicate effectively, determine work priorities, and establish effective working relationships with community and judicial partners.
Ability to make independent decisions based on individual analysis and to conduct and document interviews.
Ability to maintain CPR and First Aid certifications throughout employment.
Must be at least 19 years old and a high school graduate or equivalent.
Must meet Florida statutory eligibility requirements, including disqualifications relating to specified convictions or dishonorable military discharge, and comply with fingerprinting, background-investigation, screening, and affidavit requirements.
Must obtain and maintain Florida DJJ direct-care certification; if not already certified, must complete the required certification, including a mandatory residential training academy in Quincy, Florida, within 180 days of employment.
May be required to pass the Ergometric IMPACT Assessment and Training Test if not currently employed in the state system as a DJJ direct-care worker.
Must complete applicable background checks and pre-employment drug screening.

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 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 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 evaluations.
Develop case-management strategies and make service referrals, following up on actions taken.
Recommend supervision and treatment approaches to the State Attorney and other judicial partners.
Prepare required screening instruments, case plans, court reports, commitment documents, progress reports, and termination-of-supervision documents.
Represent the Department at court hearings, prepare social histories and related correspondence, testify when appropriate, and request hearings as needed.
Prepare affidavits or petitions for violations of probation when appropriate.
Conduct face-to-face contacts with youth and families in homes, schools, detention centers, placements, workplaces, and other community settings, including during evening and weekend hours when needed.
Assist youth in obtaining mental health and substance-use evaluations, testing, treatment, crisis services, and other supports.
Assist youth and families with school and after-school enrollment, and monitor attendance, academic performance, and behavior.
Help youth establish goals and plans, support their progress, and discuss expected timeframes and supervision conditions with youth and families.
Staff cases, plans, and violations with the unit supervisor; determine recommended responses to law violations and follow up on interventions.
Conduct case staffing at required benchmarks, milestones, complex-case events, and transition or exit-planning points.
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 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 training and meetings, and follow departmental policies, procedures, and administrative rules.