Juvenile Probation Officer - Intake - Juvenile Probation Officer Level III

County of El Paso•Tx 79905, TX

21h

About The Position

The Juvenile Probation Officer III oversees intake, supervision, and case management for youths referred to the department and for youths placed in diversionary programming or Level III supervised probation. The officer processes referrals, manages pre-adjudicated cases and deferred prosecution cases, monitors youth progress through visits and regular communication with families and team members, investigates youth histories, prepares reports and recommendations for the Juvenile Court, and oversees youths on home detention. The position rotates between Intake and Probation Services based on operational needs or professional development requirements. This is a certified, paid position with a gross annual salary of $64,355.09. The position is subject to the non-certified general services pay dependent on state funding each biennium. The position is non-supervisory and reports to the Director of Intake or Director of Juvenile Probation Services, as assigned by the Chief Juvenile Probation Officer. It involves office work, field visits to youths’ homes, court-related duties, and transportation of youths to appointments or placements. The officer must be available for non-traditional hours and on-call work as necessary for official business, and may be required to work more than 40 hours in a work week. The officer must meet Texas Juvenile Justice Department certification and training requirements, including Handle with Care or another department-adopted restraint technique, and comply with the TJJD Code of Ethics. The role also requires a personal mobile smart device by the hire start date, a telephone and reported residence, a valid driver's license and acceptable driving record, and proof of automobile liability insurance. The employee must pass pre-employment requirements, including a criminal background check. County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers during a proclaimed emergency and may be required to train for or perform emergency services.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
At least 21 years of age.
Valid driver's license applicable to job responsibilities by the date of hire, with a driving record acceptable to El Paso County.
Proof of automobile liability insurance coverage.
Telephone and reported residence.
Personal mobile smart device by the hire start date to access County network and systems.
Compliance with Texas Juvenile Justice Department certification training requirements, including certification in Handle with Care or another restraint technique adopted by the Department.
Compliance with the Texas Juvenile Justice Department Code of Ethics.
Ability to complete departmental pre-employment requirements and pass a criminal background check.
Knowledge of departmental policies and procedures, TJJD standards, the Texas Penal Code, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure 61.02, Texas Family Code, and juvenile law.
Knowledge of community providers and resources, case management practices, support-service programs and eligibility, mediation and behavior-modification techniques, graduated sanctions, issues affecting maladjusted youth, the social-services delivery network, and TJJD and residential placement facilities.
Knowledge of English usage, grammar, punctuation, and spelling; effective interpersonal communication; modern office procedures; and Windows- and Microsoft-based products.
Ability to work more than 40 hours during a work week when required, travel by land or air, and telework.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including explaining supervision conditions and consequences to youths and families and communicating with coworkers, agencies, law enforcement, organizations, the public, families, maladjusted youth, and Juvenile Court.
Ability to work positively and effectively with children, including severely maladjusted children, and their families; learn and constructively address deviant youth behaviors; and communicate effectively with hostile, abusive, or irrational individuals.
Ability to provide training on programming, departmental policies and procedures, court proceedings, and TJJD standards.
Ability to use discretion and initiative, make sound decisions, and complete assignments with little oversight.
Ability to build and maintain working relationships with community and contracted providers, court officials, law enforcement, coworkers, attorneys, outside organizations, and the public.
Ability to use word-processing software, a personal computer, and basic office equipment.
Ability to obtain and organize information, manage time, interpret legal statutes, analyze reports, and create strategic and tactical plans.
Ability to maintain regular and reliable attendance, work effectively in a team, interact courteously and respectfully, maintain strict confidentiality, support County organizations, and contribute to customer-service excellence.
Ability to sit for extended periods at a computer and use a keyboard and mouse, with sufficient hand and finger dexterity and vision to read documents and screens; ability to lift or carry up to 30 pounds.
Ability to walk extensively over varied terrain, climb stairs, work outdoors in varying weather, and transport youths by vehicle, train, or airplane.

Nice To Haves

One year of work experience in related agency work involving young people, law enforcement, or a related area.
Case management experience.
Bilingual Spanish/English.

Responsibilities

Supervise and monitor assigned youths according to their risk levels.
Conduct home visits and phone calls, and provide case management under Juvenile Court or Deferred Prosecution program guidelines.
Manage pre-adjudicated cases and gather collateral information through interviews with family members and review of school, medical, and police information.
Recommend treatment plans to the Juvenile Court and testify at hearings, including adjudication, modification, review, detention, and admonishment hearings.
Prepare and document case information, including family demographics, daily activities, court-required information, and interview findings.
Prepare pre-disposition reports for Juvenile Court proceedings.
Maintain required TJJD, ANE/PREA, officer safety, cybersecurity, suicide prevention, civil rights, sexual harassment, CPR/First Aid, and other training and certifications.
Assist in training new employees, coordinate with law enforcement agencies, and coordinate tasks with interns.
Perform certified juvenile probation officer duties under TAC 341, including recommending dispositions; approving written social history reports; supervising court-ordered, deferred prosecution, and collaborative supervision cases; developing and implementing case plans; conducting intake interviews and preliminary investigations and making release decisions when designated; taking children into custody when authorized; serving as inter-county transfer officer; making required mental health or intellectual disability authority referrals; and providing required juvenile-record-sealing information to youths and their parents, guardians, or custodians.
For intake assignments, receive law-enforcement referrals and verify paperwork for compliance with departmental, Court, and Texas Family Code Title 3 standards.
Conduct preliminary investigations, including establishing probable cause, completing risk and needs assessments, interviewing parents, and supporting recommendations concerning conditional release, detention, deferred prosecution, or formal court proceedings.
Obtain case-file background and restricted information as permitted by policy, and handle confidential, sensitive, and restricted information appropriately.
Perform temporary duty assignments and cross-training, and other related duties as assigned.
Maintain a safe and healthy workplace and participate in emergency response duties when directed.