Juvenile Probation Officer - Juvenile Probation - J29150 - 34800

Nueces County•Hillsboro, OR

About The Position

The Juvenile Probation Officer supervises and counsels juveniles and their families during intake, deferred prosecution, or adjudicated probation, in accordance with departmental policies and procedures. The officer screens referrals, investigates cases, assesses circumstances, and determines or recommends appropriate actions, including diversion, referrals to other agencies, agreements in family law cases, and prosecution or other official action. The role includes preparing reports and maintaining records; conducting interviews, home, school, and office visits; completing required intake and supervision assessments; and providing crisis intervention, counseling, case management, and other interventions. The officer supervises juveniles, explains court-order obligations, coordinates transportation and client services, and develops placement plans and treatment programs. The position also involves coordination with schools, community resources, courts, law enforcement, attorneys, and other professionals; serving court papers; and appearing or testifying in court. The officer remains on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and may be assigned specialized caseloads. The position requires a bachelor’s degree and qualifying experience, or an eligible graduate-education substitution for the experience requirement. Juvenile Probation Officer certification through the Texas Juvenile Justice Department is required or must be obtained within six months. A valid Texas driver’s license and appropriate automobile insurance are required, as is a Defensive Driving Certificate within six months of employment. Base pay is $25.00 per hour.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
One year of full-time casework, counseling, or community or group work experience in a social service, educational, community, corrections, or juvenile agency serving offenders or disadvantaged persons. One year (24 semester hours) of graduate-level education may substitute for the required work experience.
Internship or volunteer work may be considered as experience when the duties are those of a probation officer and the individual is supervised by a probation officer.
Certification, or ability to obtain certification within six months, as a Juvenile Probation Officer through the Texas Juvenile Justice Department.
Valid Texas Motor Vehicle Operator’s License and appropriate automobile insurance; must obtain a Defensive Driving Certificate within six months of employment.
Knowledge of modern principles of sociology, criminology, child and adolescent psychology, social casework, counseling methods and techniques, and laws and regulations relating to juvenile justice and family law.
Ability to investigate and report results clearly, accurately, and impartially; gather, analyze, and evaluate facts; and develop program plans and case dispositions.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing and establish effective working relationships with county employees, officials, clients, other agencies, and the public.
Ability to deal effectively with mentally disturbed, hostile, and aggressive individuals.
Ability to read and interpret business and professional publications, technical procedures, and governmental regulations; write reports and correspondence; and present information to groups.
Ability to perform basic arithmetic and calculate rates, ratios, and percentages and interpret bar graphs.
Ability to solve practical problems and interpret written, oral, diagrammed, or scheduled instructions.
Employees who drive on official business must have a driving record that meets County and County insurance-carrier standards.
Ability to meet the physical demands of the role, including occasional lifting or moving of up to 100 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree preferably in criminology, corrections, counseling, law, social work, psychology, sociology, cultural anthropology, business management, public administration, or education.
Graduate-level education preferably in criminology, corrections, counseling, law, social work, psychology, sociology, cultural anthropology, business management, public administration, or education.

Responsibilities

Screen cases referred to the Juvenile Department and determine appropriate actions independently or in consultation with a supervisor.
Adjust cases without legal action, divert or refer cases to other agencies, seek agreements in family law cases, and recommend prosecution or other official action as appropriate.
Research and investigate cases and interview children, families, and others.
Prepare reports for prosecution, service agencies, courts, and the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, along with documentation for restitution programs and specialized services.
Maintain records and produce statistical and other reports using manual and automated reporting systems.
Provide intervention to parents and children, including crisis intervention and verbal guidance following alleged violations of law.
Maintain knowledge of community resources, juvenile law, counseling and treatment techniques, and applicable policies; participate in in-service training and continuing education.
Conduct home, school, and office visits as required by departmental policy.
Complete intake and supervision assessments required by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department and local policy.
Supervise and monitor juveniles on probation or deferred prosecution and ensure they understand the conditions of court orders.
Remain on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Provide information about department services and make presentations to groups and organizations.
Serve summonses and other court papers; communicate with attorneys and other professionals; and appear and testify in court as needed.
Coordinate clients’ transportation and other needs.
Receive referrals and determine, based on available information and policy, whether a juvenile should be detained.
Prepare placement packets, supervise children in community placements, perform inter-county transfers, and complete Interstate Compact procedures for out-of-state children.
Develop child placement plans, complete applications, obtain clothing and medical or psychological reports, and maintain contact with children in placement.
Develop counseling and casework objectives and treatment programs and manage cases.
Work with schools on educational programs and develop vocational training and employment opportunities for juveniles.
Collect fees and send notices for past-due accounts.
Perform other duties as assigned.