SENIOR JUVENILE PROBATION OFFICER - 80061624

State of Florida • SEBRING, FL

5d • Onsite

About The Position

This is an internal agency opportunity for current DJJ employees only. The Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) is seeking a Senior Juvenile Probation Officer to work in Sebring, Highland, and Hardee County. The role involves comprehensive case management, court processes, supervision, records management, community collaboration, and special assignments. The position requires a commitment to supporting youth and families within the juvenile justice system, ensuring accountability, and promoting public safety.

Requirements

• Four years of experience working directly with adolescents in one or more of the following fields: criminal justice (e.g., law enforcement, courts, correction/rehabilitation facilities, or probation/parole), social services (e.g., child protective services, crisis intervention, foster care/group homes, adoption, or mental health/substance abuse treatment).
• A valid driver’s license.
• Knowledge of case management practices.
• Knowledge of interviewing and counseling techniques.
• Ability to provide counseling and guidance to others.
• Ability to conduct and document fact-finding interviews.
• Ability to make recommendations concerning the processing, handling and disposition of delinquent youth.
• Ability to develop case plans.
• Ability to coordinate case assignments for multi-problem clients.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to supervise, lead and motivate people.
• Ability to determine work priorities, assign work and ensure proper completion of work assignments.
• Ability to actively listen to others.
• Ability to understand, apply and explain applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with co-workers, community/judicial partners, and act as a liaison to those entities.
• Ability to incorporate safe work practices and actively participate in initiatives designed to promote a safe work environment.
• Ability to maintain a professional, safe and helpful work environment.
• Ability to make independent decisions based on individual analysis.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Be at least 19 years of age.
• Be a high school graduate or its equivalent.
• Not have been convicted of any felony or a misdemeanor involving perjury or false statement or have received a dishonorable discharge from any of the Armed Forces of the United States.
• Abide by all provisions of s. 985.644 (1), regarding fingerprinting and background investigations and other screening requirements for personnel.
• Execute and submit to the Department an affidavit-of-application form attesting to compliance with requirements.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• Associate degree from an accredited college or university and two years’ experience working directly with adolescents in criminal justice or social services fields.
• One year of experience working with youth.
• Protective Action Response (PAR) certification.
• CPR & First Aid certifications.

Responsibilities

• Initiate contact with youth, families, victims, and law enforcement upon referral.
• Conduct home and school visits for information gathering and family involvement.
• Obtain victim's opinion regarding case handling and disposition.
• Use Motivational Interviewing to engage youth and families to determine needs.
• Obtain and review collateral information from other agencies.
• Conduct and document FDJJ screenings and assessments to identify risk, needs, and protective factors.
• Facilitate comprehensive assessments and refer youth and families for services.
• Document all referrals for services and client acceptance or refusal.
• Formulate case management strategies based on assessments.
• Make service referrals to appropriate providers and follow up.
• Make supervision and treatment recommendations to judicial partners.
• Discuss safety plans with youth and families to avert risk and harm.
• Complete screening instruments and reports used by the Department and/or courts.
• Provide technical assistance and conduct case reviews with staff.
• Act as the DJJ representative during court hearings.
• Confer and advocate with attorneys on Department recommendations.
• Prepare and maintain current social histories, court reports, referral letters, and correspondence.
• Explain court procedures to youth and families.
• Provide information to staff responsible for detention screening and court hearings.
• Testify at hearings when appropriate.
• Prepare affidavits/petition for Violation of Probation.
• Request hearings when appropriate.
• Communicate and distribute the outcome of court proceedings to all affected parties.
• Notify circuit management on referrals to the Office of the General Counsel.
• Complete risk and needs assessments using appropriate Department approved instruments.
• Conduct face-to-face contacts in the home, school, and community settings during non-traditional hours.
• Initiate face-to-face contact with youth and family following court to review court orders.
• Maintain communication based on departmental requirements for all stages of youth and family involvement.
• Assist youth with obtaining appropriate mental health and substance abuse evaluations and arrange for specialized testing and treatment.
• Follow up with service providers to ensure reports are received and communicate with youth and parents on actions taken.
• Assist youth and family with accessing community resources and services.
• Review written or verbal reports from collateral sources.
• Assist with obtaining identification documents needed for employability training and employment.
• Assist youth and family with school and after school enrollment and maintain school contact.
• Assist youth and family with enrollment in after school and weekend pro-social recreational activities.
• Arrange for life skills groups, counseling, etc., as needed.
• Confer with mental health practitioners, school personnel, law enforcement, and others to identify appropriate services.
• Provide crisis intervention and assist youth and family in accessing crisis intervention services/resources.
• Work with youth to establish personal goals/plans and provide ongoing support.
• Assist youth, family, and/or facilities with planning and coordination of transportation.
• Discuss with youth and family projected timeframes for completion of goals and anticipated date for termination of supervision.
• Monitor a specialized client caseload, refer for services, provide direct services/supervision, and document all case work.
• Respond to concerns, needs, and risks presented by youth, family, and the community.
• Determine recommended handling of law violations and provide appropriate interventions.
• Conduct staffing when benchmarks occur, case milestones are achieved, or cases are complex.
• Prepare case transfer or progress summaries within required timeframes.
• Participate in transition and exit planning for youth pending release from residential programs.
• Provide technical assistance and conduct case reviews with staff.
• Enter into Juvenile Justice Information System (JJIS) all case management activities.
• Upload required forms/documents into the JJIS case file.
• Organize and maintain hard copy or electronic records.
• Review referral history and other JJIS data for accuracy.
• Obtain and maintain in JJIS the youth’s photograph.
• Conduct case reviews in JJIS and correct data as necessary.
• Act as the liaison to the Circuit Data Integrity Officer (DIO) on JJIS related issues.
• Provide contact information for community-based service providers.
• Meet and maintain communication with schools, teachers, law enforcement, care providers, and other agencies.
• Provide input to circuit management on provider community-based service delivery issues.
• Ensure familiarity with community resources.
• Cultivate restorative justice community service work sites, schedule work crews, and supervise youth.
• Act as a liaison with co-workers, community organizations, agency partners, and the court.
• Attend and participate in professional development trainings and meetings.
• Participate in informal and formal supervision case audit reviews and annual performance reviews.
• Participate in committees and workgroups to develop policies and procedures.
• Speak to community groups or external parties and explain DJJ functions.
• Serve on committees and workgroups in the community and within the department.
• Train and/or oversee interns, volunteers and/or students.
• Participate in special projects.
• Provide assistance to other staff when language interpretation is needed.
• Follow all departmental policies, procedures and administrative rules.
• Provide presentations/training to other staff, community organizations and partnering agencies.
• Assume supervisory functions as directed or in the absence of the Juvenile Probation Officer Supervisor.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• The Department of Juvenile Justice Salutes our heroes. We are honored to have the opportunity to support our nation's veterans and their families. We value the service given to our country and support the hiring of service members and military spouses.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: High school or GED