Probation Specialist

Greene County Board of Commissioners•Xenia, OH

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The mission of the Juvenile Probation Department is to provide care, protection, and mental and physical development of youth, to protect the public interest and safety, and rehabilitate juvenile offenders. A Juvenile Probation Specialist is assigned to investigate, assess, counsel, and supervise juvenile offenders. This is achieved through the development and monitoring of compliance with Probation Rules, an individualized case plan, and individualized programming. A Juvenile Probation Specialist supervises low, moderate and high-risk youth in the community. A Juvenile Probation Specialist may also fulfill compliance duties, supervising lower risk youth that come through the juvenile court system who may not need the extensive services and supervision provided to other youth on probation. A Juvenile Probation Specialist is a non-exempt, unclassified employee appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Greene County Juvenile Court Judge under Ohio Revised Code Section 2151.13.

Requirements

Knowledge of the juvenile justice system including institutional and out-patient services, childhood development and family dynamics, best practices in the field, and JDAI principles.
Knowledge of applicable laws, codes, regulations, including but not limited to the Interstate Compact for Juveniles.
Knowledge of records management, retention and best practices.
Knowledge of computer software, including but not limited to Microsoft Office products - Word, Outlook and Excel.
Knowledge of workplace policies and the importance of confidentiality.
Skill in planning, organizing, supervising, and evaluating youth.
Skill in prioritizing tasks and responsibilities.
Skill in providing excellent customer service.
Skill in exercising effective and respectful interpersonal skills, including communicating and interacting with youth, families, Court personnel, county staff and the public; addressing individuals from various socio-economic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, in person and over the telephone, often where relations may be confrontational and strained.
Skill in collecting data, interpreting, evaluating and drawing conclusions from reports; preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials.
Skill in planning, organizing and administering juvenile justice programming, which includes interventions, therapeutic and related services, and corresponding with off-site providers and institutions about treatment plans.
Exemplifying dependability, reliability and excellent attendance.
Using initiative and independent judgment within general policy guidelines to recognize and resolve potential conflicts.
Ability to identify and define problems, collect and analyze data, establish facts, and draw sound conclusions.
Ability to establish and maintain rapport with clients.
Ability to communicate both verbally and through written reports clearly and effectively.
Ability to react rationally and effectively to crisis situations.
Two (2) years full time paid work experience not including practicum experience.
Satisfactory completion of professional reference checks.
Satisfactory completion of BCI and FBI background checks.
Affirmative duty to report prior and/or current misconduct.
Confirmation of valid Ohio driver’s license.
Confirmation of degrees, licenses and/or certificates.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree, preferably a B.A. or B.S. in Criminal Justice, Social Work, Sociology, Corrections, Counseling, or a related field.
Possession of valid Ohio driver’s license.

Responsibilities

Prepares and completes probation intake paperwork and goes over Probation Rules with youth and families.
Develops an individualized case plan for juvenile offenders to include relevant goals and objectives for the supervision period and in furtherance of the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI).
Supervises youth in the community and/or placement throughout the duration of their case plan and conducts regular reviews of said plan; thoroughly and accurately documents all pertinent case activity.
Provides assessments, including but not limited to: OYAS, MAYSI, ACE / CTS and the Success Plan.
Engages with youth through the use of Motivational Interviewing, Carey Guides, life skills, and other evidence-based programming.
Attends detention, arraignment, pretrial, plea, and disposition hearings. Also fulfills a rotation of Probation Specialist of the Day to provide coverage on an as-needed basis.
Conducts interviews and gathers information from youth, families, referral sources and other agencies to prepare recommendations for review, dispositional and post-dispositional hearings and for case plans, placement packets and D.I.R. reports.
Attends departmental meetings, placement meetings, wrap-around meetings, meetings with service providers, agencies, CPS, and schools and maintains open dialogue with community partners and treatment providers.
Collects and tests urinalysis drug screens for youth on probation.
Responsible for collection of DNA for all felony youth which is transmitted to BCI.
Responsible for connecting youth to electronic monitoring and provides routine oversight of the monitors, alerts and equipment.
Plans, engages in and oversees youth community service activities.
Requests warrants, make arrests, transports and presents youth to detention for detainment.
Supervises out-of-state Interstate Compact cases, conducts home investigations and submits corresponding reports to the Interstate Compact.
Provides transportation to youth and families for medical, mental health appointments as needed and makes referrals to court and community-based programs.
Keeps apprised of new and proposed federal, state, and local legislation and programs that will impact juvenile justice; maintains professional and personal growth through participation in workshops and seminars.
Any other duty as assigned by the Judge, Court Administrator and/or Director of Probation.