SENIOR JUVENILE PROBATION OFFICER - 80002728

State of Florida•Alachua, FL

12d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Juvenile Probation Officer works for the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice in Circuit 8 Probation & Community Intervention in Alachua, Florida. This internal opportunity is open only to current DJJ employees. The officer manages cases involving youth and families across the juvenile justice continuum, from referral and assessment through court proceedings, supervision, transition planning, and termination of Department involvement. The role includes direct engagement with youth, families, victims, courts, service providers, schools, law enforcement, and other community partners. The officer conducts screenings and assessments, develops and updates case plans, makes service and supervision recommendations, coordinates interventions, monitors progress and compliance, and documents case activity in the Juvenile Justice Information System (JJIS). The position also provides technical assistance and case reviews to staff, participates in professional development and community collaboration, and may assume supervisory functions when directed or when the Juvenile Probation Officer Supervisor is absent. Work may involve non-traditional hours, including evenings and weekends, when needed.

Requirements

Four years of experience working directly with adolescents in criminal justice or social services fields, such as law enforcement, courts, correctional or rehabilitation facilities, probation or parole, child protective services, crisis intervention, foster care or group homes, adoption, or mental health or substance abuse treatment.
Valid driver’s license.
Maintain CPR and First Aid certifications throughout employment.
Obtain or maintain certification under the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice direct care training policy; new certification must be obtained within 180 days of employment and requires successful completion of a mandatory residential training academy in Quincy, Florida.
For work-related transportation of youth, have a valid driver’s license and a three-year acceptable driving record as defined by FDJJ Policy 1920.
Meet Florida Statute 985.66 requirements, including being at least 19 years old, having a high school diploma or equivalent, meeting criminal-history and background screening requirements, and submitting the required affidavit.
For candidates not currently in the state system as a DJJ direct care worker, passing Ergometric’s IMPACT Assessment and Training Test may be required after the interview phase.
Be able to conduct and document fact-finding interviews, develop case plans, coordinate case assignments, make recommendations about handling and disposition of delinquent youth, and communicate effectively.
Demonstrate knowledge of case management, interviewing and counseling techniques, applicable laws and policies, and the ability to provide guidance, supervise or lead people, organize work, and maintain effective relationships with colleagues and community and judicial partners.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university at the time of candidate profile submission.
Associate degree from an accredited college or university at the time of candidate profile submission and two years of experience working directly with adolescents in criminal justice or social services fields.
One year of experience working with youth.

Responsibilities

Initiate contact with youth, families, victims, and law enforcement when referrals are received; conduct home and school visits and gather relevant collateral information.
Use Motivational Interviewing and Department-approved screening and assessment instruments to identify youth risk, needs, protective factors, and potential need for further evaluation.
Develop case management strategies and plans with youth and families, refer them to appropriate services, and follow up on referrals and provider progress.
Make supervision and treatment recommendations to the State Attorney and judicial partners, and discuss safety plans with youth and families.
Complete and review Department and court screening instruments, assessments, case plans, reports, and other required documents; provide technical assistance and conduct staff case reviews.
Represent DJJ at court hearings; confer with attorneys, advocate for Department recommendations, explain court procedures, testify when appropriate, and communicate court outcomes to affected parties.
Conduct face-to-face contacts with youth and families in homes, schools, detention centers, placements, workplaces, and community settings, including during non-traditional hours when required.
Assist youth and families with accessing mental health, substance use, education, employment, recreational, crisis intervention, transportation, and other community resources.
Monitor assigned specialized caseloads, participate in case-related staffing, document casework, respond to risks and violations, and coordinate interventions with supervisors and other involved parties.
Conduct case staffing at benchmarks and milestones, prepare case transfer and progress summaries, and participate in transition and exit planning for youth leaving residential programs.
Enter case management activities and required documents into JJIS; maintain and review electronic or hard-copy case records and correct data as needed.
Collaborate with schools, law enforcement, service providers, agencies, community organizations, and courts; maintain knowledge of community resources and support community-based service delivery.
Cultivate restorative justice community service work sites, schedule work crews, and supervise youth group work projects as needed.
Attend training and meetings; participate in audits, performance reviews, committees, workgroups, special projects, and community presentations as directed.
Train or oversee interns, volunteers, or students as directed; assist other staff with language interpretation when needed.
Follow Department policies, procedures, and administrative rules; perform related duties as assigned and assume supervisory functions when directed or in the supervisor’s absence.