Juvenile Probation Officer

Cameron County•San Benito, TX

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Juvenile Probation Officer conducts investigations on the background of each case, interviewing clients, their families, and other significant contacts. This role involves reviewing documentation such as police reports, court transcripts, criminal records, school records, and assessing the client's home environment, mental stability, and general attitude to understand their environmental, employment, financial, or domestic difficulties. The officer makes recommendations for adjudication and disposition, prepares probation case plans, and supervises and monitors juveniles on probation through regular home, school, and office visits. They determine client and family needs, develop supervision plans, and perform timely home, school, and curfew checks. The role ensures clients understand their obligations and monitors compliance with court orders, addressing violations with appropriate action. Coordination with criminal justice and social service agencies, providing individual and crisis intervention counseling, and assisting clients with referrals are key responsibilities. The officer verifies attendance and completion of ordered programs, prepares written assessments and recommendations to the court, and maintains the Odyssey Case Management System. Individualized case plans and monthly updates are developed as mandated by the Texas Family Code. Responsibilities also include preparing for placement, transporting clients to medical appointments, purchasing clothing, and obtaining necessary reports for court proceedings. The role involves appearing and testifying in court, conducting urinalysis, executing Directives to Apprehend, and obtaining consents. Maintaining client files and records, ensuring the Juvenile Case Management System is current, and transporting clients are also required. The officer must be available for emergencies, potentially requiring additional training for dual certification, and may assist Pre and Post facilities during staff shortages or emergencies, which could include shift work and direct supervision of residents' daily activities, including one-to-one supervision for safety. Physical restraint application is required when juveniles are harming themselves or others, causing property damage, or attempting to escape. Maintaining professional conduct, adhering to ethical standards, and complying with PREA, TJJD, and CCJJD policies are paramount. The role requires being a good role model and attending staff meetings and trainings. Employment is contingent upon grant availability, and CCJJD is an At-Will employer. The officer performs other duties as assigned by the Chief Juvenile Probation Officer.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice, Social or Behavioral Sciences or a directly related field
A minimum of one (1) year experience preferred in direct juvenile care, counseling, law enforcement, corrections or other related field.
Must be over twenty-one (21) years of age (for state certification requirements)
Current Texas Driver's License
Must have an automobile with current automobile insurance
Ability to communicate effectively (reading, writing, and understanding) in English
Able to submit to a drug urinalysis pre-screening exam and pass a criminal background check.
If the candidate for employment does have a criminal record, it must be cleared through the requirements as set forth by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department
Must be bondable
Certification as a Juvenile Probation Officer or eligible for certification within six (6) months of date of hire
Must meet the requirements to become a Certified Juvenile Probation Officer in Texas which include: completing a minimum of 80 training hours covering the topics mandated by TJJD and pass the automated certification exam for juvenile probation officers.
Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification and First Aid (FA)
Handle with Care (HWC) State Approved Restraint Technique Certification
Knowledge of Policies, practices, procedures and legal terminology related to court system.
Knowledge of Applicable Juvenile Justice System standards and procedures.
Knowledge of Standard practices in area of assignment.
Knowledge of General knowledge of providing trauma-informed care, establishing appropriate relationships, and social adjustment.
Knowledge of Standard counseling techniques
Knowledge of Safety and security techniques and standards.
Knowledge of Physical restraint techniques to prevent self-injurious and assaultive behavior and escape.
Skills In: Monitoring and responding to client behavior.
Skills In: Problem solving and decision making.
Skills In: Interviewing clients
Skills In: Both verbal and written communication.
Skills In: Basic Computer skills in word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages
Ability to Gather, analyze and evaluate facts to conduct investigations and report results clearly, accurately and impartially.
Required to possibly work different schedules in order to meet the needs of the program.
Stand for long periods of time depending on the assignment you have been given.
Work efficiently both independently and as part of a team.
Reason and make judgments and decisions.
Maintain client and program confidentiality.
Deal effectively with mentally disturbed, hostile and aggressive individuals.
Perform handle with care restraint technique
Manage time well, perform multiple tasks, and organize diverse activities.
Submit written documentation clearly, accurately, and impartially.
Perform effectively and courteously in a stressful environment while maintaining a professional manner.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, representatives of outside agencies, other county employees and officials, representatives of the juvenile justice system and the general public.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual is preferred

Responsibilities

Conducts investigations on the background of each case, interviewing clients, their families and other significant contacts.
Reviews documentation, such as police reports, court transcripts, criminal records, school records and attendance, home environment, mental stability and general attitude of the client to make assessments regarding the nature of the individual's environmental, employment, financial or domestic difficulties as they apply to the case.
Makes recommendations for adjudication and disposition of probationer and prepares probation case plans.
Supervises and monitors juveniles on probation through regular home, school and office visits and other needed contacts.
Determines the needs of the client and family and develops supervision plans for clients.
Perform timely Home, School and Curfew Checks as required by the Level of Supervision assigned on the Initial Case Plan and Case Plan Updates
Assures client's understanding of obligations with respect to conditions of the court's order and monitors compliance with the terms and conditions of probation.
Addresses violations of court orders by taking appropriate action.
Coordinates case management and referrals with representatives of criminal justice and social service agencies.
Provides individual and crisis intervention counseling, as required.
Assists clients with various referrals, including, but not limited to, counseling, treatment and job referrals.
Verifies attendance and completion of alcohol, drug, mental health counseling and any other court ordered programs.
Prepares written assessments and recommendations to the court concerning alternative forms of sanction, treatment, custody release, release from treatment facilities, out-of-custody probation supervision, and compliance and progress during probation.
Monitors Odyssey Case Management System to maintain legal status on cases and upcoming hearings.
Develop individualized Initial Case Plan and Monthly Updates as mandated by the Texas Family Code.
In preparation for placement, transport to medical appointments, purchasing clothing, obtaining medical and psychological reports for court proceedings.
Appears and testifies in court, conducts urinalysis, requests and executes Directives to Apprehend, obtains consents and other required paperwork.
Maintains client files and records consistent with laws and policies and procedures.
Maintains the Juvenile Case Management System to ensure that clients information remains current and accurate.
Transport clients to off-site locations, as required.
MUST BE AVAILABLE for all emergencies to include, but not limited to: inclement weather, taking children into custody, transporting probation youths to placement or emergency release facilities, doctor(s) office(s) as directed by Supervisor.
If needed may be required to obtain additional training in order to be dual certified as a Juvenile Probation Officer (JSO).
Must be available to assist Pre and Post facilities in the supervision of residents in the event there is a staff shortage or an emergency due to unforeseen circumstances which may include shift work.
May be required to provide direct supervision of all resident's daily activities, including but not limited to the education program, basic arts and crafts, outdoor activities all while maintaining safety and order of all residents.
In addition, at times there may be the requirement to provide one-to-one supervision where appropriate to ensure the safety of youth including moderate or high-risk suicide risk observation.
Properly apply a physical restraint as instructed by Handle With Care, when a juvenile is physically harming themselves or others, property damage over $50 and/or attempting to escape.
A JPO shall not initiate or maintain an inappropriate relationship with any juvenile under the supervision of the CCJJD.
Adhere, maintain, and comply with professional conduct and ethical behavior consistent with the standards and policies and procedures expected by the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), TJJD, Cameron County, and Cameron County Juvenile Justice Department (CCJJD) at all time, both on duty and off duty.
Adhere and comply with all PREA standards and will follow zero tolerance towards all forms of sexual abuse and sexual harassment while conducting business in the pre and post-adjudication facilities.
Adhere and comply with all TJJD standards to include Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation (ANE) standards and cooperate with all ANE investigations.
Adhere and comply CCJJD's and Cameron County's policies and procedures and know how to keep abreast of any changes to said policies and procedures, including maintaining an effective safety program as established by Cameron County.
Abide by all federal, state, and local laws; the nature of our profession requires being a good role model and setting a good example at all times.
Attend staff meetings and trainings as required.
Perform any and all other duties as assigned by the Chief Juvenile Probation Officer and/or designee to include reassignment which is in the best interest of the department.