Senior Juvenile Probation Officer - 80059819

State of Florida • Bartow, FL

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Juvenile Justice is seeking a Senior Juvenile Probation Officer to join their team. This is an internal agency opportunity for current DJJ employees only. The role involves comprehensive case management, court representation, and community collaboration to support at-risk youth and their families. The position requires a commitment to restorative justice and public safety, with opportunities for professional development and training.

Requirements

• Four years of experience working directly with adolescents in criminal justice (e.g., law enforcement, courts, correction/rehabilitation facilities, or probation/parole) or 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.
• Must maintain CPR & First Aid certifications throughout employment.
• Must be at least 19 years of age.
• Must be a high school graduate or its equivalent.
• Must not have been convicted of any felony or a misdemeanor involving perjury or false statement or have received a dishonorable discharge from the Armed Forces.
• Must not have pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to or been found guilty of any felony or a misdemeanor involving perjury or false statement after September 30, 1999.
• Must abide by all provisions of s. 985.66 Florida Statute Requirements regarding fingerprinting and background investigations and other screening requirements.
• Must execute and submit an affidavit-of-application form attesting to compliance with requirements.
• Must be able to incorporate safe work practices and actively participate in initiatives to promote a safe work environment.
• Must be able to maintain a professional, safe, and helpful work environment.
• Must be able to make independent decisions based on individual analysis.
• Must have strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Must be able to conduct and document interviews.

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.
• One year of experience working with youth.

Responsibilities

• Initiate contact with youth, families, victims, and law enforcement upon referral.
• Conduct home and school visits to gather information and involve families.
• Obtain victim's opinion regarding case handling and disposition.
• Use Motivational Interviewing to assess youth and family needs.
• Review collateral information from other agencies.
• Conduct and document FDJJ screenings and assessments (risk, needs, protective factors).
• Facilitate comprehensive assessments and refer for services as needed.
• Document all referrals and service acceptance/refusal.
• Formulate case management strategies based on assessments.
• Make service referrals and follow up on actions.
• Make supervision and treatment recommendations to judicial partners.
• Discuss safety plans with youth and family to avert risk and prevent victimization.
• Complete screening instruments and reports (e.g., DRAI, SRSI, case plans, disposition reports).
• Act as DJJ representative during court hearings.
• Confer and advocate with attorneys on Department recommendations.
• Prepare and maintain social histories, court reports, 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/petitions for Violation of Probation.
• Request hearings when appropriate.
• Communicate court proceeding outcomes to all affected parties.
• Notify circuit management on referrals to the Office of the General Counsel.
• Complete risk and needs assessments using Department-approved instruments.
• Negotiate, implement, and modify case plans with input from youth and family.
• Conduct face-to-face contacts in various settings, including non-traditional hours.
• Initiate face-to-face contact post-court to review orders and provide information.
• Maintain communication based on departmental requirements.
• Gain firsthand knowledge of youth's residence, family, and environment.
• Assist youth with obtaining mental health and substance abuse evaluations and treatment.
• Follow up with service providers and youth/parents on progress and issues.
• Assist youth and family with accessing community resources and services.
• Review reports from collateral sources.
• Assist with obtaining identification documents for employability and education.
• Assist youth and family with school enrollment and attendance verification.
• Assist youth and family with enrollment in after-school and weekend pro-social activities.
• Arrange for life skills groups and counseling as needed.
• Confer with various professionals to identify appropriate services and develop supervision plans.
• Provide crisis intervention and assist with accessing crisis services/resources.
• Work with youth to establish personal goals and provide ongoing support.
• Assist with planning and coordination of transportation for youth and family.
• Discuss projected timeframes for goal completion, sanctions, and termination of supervision.
• Monitor specialized client caseloads, provide services, and document casework in JJIS.
• Respond to concerns, needs, and risks by staffing cases with the unit supervisor.
• Enlist concerned parties in team conferencing for interventions and supervision plan revisions.
• Determine recommended handling of law violations and provide appropriate interventions.
• Conduct staffing for benchmarks, milestones, complex cases, and transitions.
• Prepare case transfer or progress summaries within required timeframes.
• Participate in transition and exit planning for youth pending release from residential programs.
• Provide support to youth and family to ensure best outcomes prior to termination of involvement.
• Provide technical assistance and conduct case reviews with staff.
• Enter all case management activities into JJIS.
• Upload required forms/documents into JJIS case files.
• Organize and maintain hard copy or electronic records.
• Review referral history and other JJIS data for accuracy and conduct data collection.
• Obtain and maintain youth photographs in JJIS.
• Conduct case reviews in JJIS and correct data entries as necessary.
• Act as 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, 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 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 supervision case audit reviews and performance reviews.
• Participate in committees and workgroups to develop policies and procedures.
• Speak to community groups and explain DJJ functions.
• Serve on committees and workgroups and offer input on projects, policies, and training.
• 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

• Salutes our heroes. We are honored to have the opportunity to support our nation's veterans and their families.
• 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