Juvenile Probation Officer

Hays County • San Marcos, TX

2d

About The Position

Under the direct supervision of the Chief Juvenile Probation Officer and as an extension of the juvenile court, the Juvenile Probation Officer I provides supervision services to juveniles in the juvenile justice system and their families in compliance with policies and standards established by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, County Commissioners, the Chief Probation Officer, and the Juvenile Board. The role includes supervision, case management, court-related work, rehabilitation and treatment support, and coordination with families, victims, agencies, and other jurisdictions. Some emergency responses and detention authorizations require supervision.

The position also plans and implements specialized juvenile probation services intended to protect the public and rehabilitate offenders. It provides programmatic support to youth in the juvenile justice alternative education program and consultative services to local school district personnel. The officer serves on call for 24-hour days and performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, plus either one year of graduate study in criminology, corrections, counseling, law, social work, psychology, sociology, or another field approved by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, or one year of related work experience.
• Texas Juvenile Justice Department certification as a probation officer.
• Complete 60 hours of applicable training every two years to maintain certification.
• Valid Texas driver’s license and liability insurance coverage.
• Driving record must meet Hays County’s acceptable rating to operate a county vehicle.
• Certificate in physical restraint techniques.
• Certificate in First Aid and CPR.

Responsibilities

• Provide supervision services to juvenile probationers and their families, including risk assessments, case management, delinquency prevention, crisis intervention, academic and educational support, rehabilitation, and treatment.
• Facilitate, prepare, and process court and case-management documentation concerning probation status, transfers, revocations, social background investigations, and recommendations to juvenile and, in some cases, criminal courts.
• Provide competent testimony in juvenile and criminal courts and attend all court hearings involving juvenile offenders within the department’s jurisdiction.
• Explain court procedures, programs, and probation conditions to probationers and their parents or guardians.
• Recommend and conduct service of warrants and directives to apprehend.
• Recommend, coordinate, and schedule detention hearings for detained juvenile offenders.
• Transport offenders to and from detention hearings, appointments, and placement facilities as directed.
• Ensure victim impact statements are considered at detention, adjudication, and release proceedings.
• Investigate, evaluate, and make recommendations concerning detentions, adjudications, and probation violations.
• Provide consultation, correctional counseling, and interventions to probationers, their families, and victims.
• Coordinate with other counties and states on home evaluations and supervision of juveniles receiving interim supervision; prepare acceptance and progress reports for requesting counties.
• Seek and secure appropriate out-of-home placements for eligible children.
• Refer probationers requiring special services to appropriate agencies and monitor their progress.
• Administer urinalysis testing.
• Recommend and obtain psychiatric or psychological examinations when emotional or mental disturbance is a factor.
• Conduct home, school, and field visits to probationers.
• Keep informed about developments and techniques in criminal justice and current legal issues and laws, and apply relevant developments where appropriate.
• Coordinate and collect monetary restitution, disposition fees, and probation fees.
• Conduct exit plans and interviews with offenders and families.
• Explain file sealing and restricted access to records to juvenile offenders in writing.
• Serve on call for 24-hour days.
• Assist victims, law enforcement agencies, and child welfare agencies regarding juveniles who commit criminal offenses.
• Plan, organize, and implement specialized probation services, such as intensive supervision, victim liaison, community restitution, transitional aftercare, sex offender, and mental health services.
• Administer specialized program services to youth enrolled in the juvenile justice alternative education program, including liaison and consultation with local school district personnel on juvenile offender management, juvenile law, and probation policy and procedure.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Respond to emergencies and inquiries from law enforcement, child protective services, mental health services, and the community under supervision.
• Ensure detention authorizations are supervised.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level