Juvenile Probation Officer

Bannock County•Pocatello, ID

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Interviews, counsels, guides, and supervises juvenile offenders to assure adherence to court orders. The principal function is to perform court-ordered probation monitoring work for the reform of offenders and protection of the community. Work includes conducting pre-sentence investigations, referring offenders to appropriate mental health and substance evaluations and treatment as required, monitoring compliance, compiling and maintaining case files, recommending further conditions of monitored probation or initiating petitions to revoke probation. Caseloads may include some specialization, such as low or high-risk offenders, electronic monitoring, mental health offenders, substance abusers, or sex offenders. The work is performed under the supervision of the Juvenile Probation Director, but considerable leeway is granted for the exercise of independent judgment and initiative. The principal duties of this class are performed in a general office environment with field work that includes exposure to physical and possible health hazards. This position requires a flexible schedule and non-traditional work hours; the employee is on-call to respond to emergency situations.

Requirements

Knowledge of human and criminal behavior, with emphasis on juvenile and adolescent behaviors
Knowledge of interviewing, counseling, and investigative techniques applicable to case monitoring
Knowledge of Federal, Idaho, and County statutes, laws, codes, and regulations governing juvenile arrest, detention, probation/parole
Knowledge of court practices and procedures
Knowledge of departmental programs, policies, procedures, and operations as applied to the work performed
Knowledge of various evaluation and treatment programs, social and service agencies, and other community resources available to offenders
Knowledge of conflict resolution and mediation techniques, methods, and objectives
Knowledge of operation of standard office equipment, including a personal computer
Ability to gather and analyze facts and evidence and draw logical and objective conclusions
Ability to readily adapt to changing work situations and assignments
Ability to maintain a professional demeanor during stressful, volatile, and hostile situations
Ability to compile pertinent data and prepare clear, concise, and accurate reports
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with assigned offenders, service providers, supervisors, other County employees, defense and prosecuting attorneys, the public, and other County and state agencies
Ability to respond to citizen requests in a courteous and effective manner
Ability to understand and follow oral and/or written policies, procedures and instructions
Ability to make sound and reasonable decisions in accordance with laws, codes, regulations, and established procedures
Ability to operate standard office equipment, including a personal computer and applications appropriate to assigned duties
Ability to operate a motor vehicle
Ability to operate specialized equipment such as electronic monitoring and personal defense devices
Ability to perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines
Ability to perform multiple tasks, including handling interruptions, and return to and complete tasks in a timely manner
Ability to perform time management and scheduling functions, meet deadlines, and set project priorities
Ability to maintain offender and Department confidentiality
Ability to demonstrate integrity, ingenuity, and inventiveness in the performance of assigned tasks
Must be 21 years of age
Idaho POST certification is required
Ongoing training to maintain current certification is required
First Aid and CPR certification is required
Idaho driver's license is required
Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to discern verbal instructions and communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and two-way radio
Sufficient visual acuity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to comprehend written work instructions and review and prepare a variety of written and text materials
Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to operate standard office equipment, a personal computer, and operate a motor vehicle
Sufficient personal mobility, agility, and physical strength and reflexes, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to work in an office environment and perform field investigation and monitoring activities, and maintain certification in officer safety and appropriate use of force protocols

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, behavioral or social sciences, or a related field is preferred
Two (2) to three (3) years experience in probation monitoring, social service, or court-related behavioral services is preferred
Any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the knowledge and abilities necessary to perform the work

Responsibilities

Manages an assigned caseload of juvenile offenders, ranging from low to high risk
Develops and implements case management plans for individual offenders
Supervises individual offenders for compliance with court orders, including home, office, detention, work, and school visits
Prepares referrals for mental health, counseling, substance abuse, or other evaluations and treatments and monitors progress of treatment
Conducts investigations to determine offender adherence to court-ordered conditions
Receives and reviews monthly or other periodic reports from treatment providers on offenders and takes appropriate remedial actions as necessary
Monitors restitution and fine payment schedules
Monitors urinalysis testing
Provides classroom instruction in assigned areas
Recommends further conditions or initiates petition to revoke probation/parole when required
Conducts fieldwork to assure offender compliance with court orders
Conducts investigations to obtain information regarding the offense, the offender criminal history, family and social history, and other relevant information
Prepares pre-sentence reports and recommendations, including determining the risk the offender presents to the community
Compiles and maintains social and case histories, monitors court dockets and calendars, and runs record checks to determine whether probationers have committed additional offenses
Documents and maintains records of all contacts with offenders
Attends a variety of court hearings and testifies for probation/parole and sentencing related matters
Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with County policies, procedures, and safety practices