Assistant Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• Must have a High School Diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certificate
• Basic Computer skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Must work a flexible work schedule
• Must be over 21 years of age
• Current Texas Driver's License
• Must have current automobile insurance
• Ability to communicate effectively (reading, writing, and understanding) in English
• Able to submit to a drug urinalysis pre-screening exam and pass a criminal background check
• If the candidate for employment does have a criminal record, it must be cleared through the requirements as set forth by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department
• Knowledge of: Policies, practices, procedures and legal terminology related to court system.
• Knowledge of: Applicable Juvenile Justice System standards and procedures.
• Knowledge of: Standard practices in area of assignment.
• Knowledge of: General knowledge of providing trauma-informed care, establishing appropriate relationships, and social adjustment.
• Knowledge of: Safety and security techniques and standards.
• Knowledge of: Physical restraint techniques to prevent self-injurious and assaultive behavior and escape.
• Skills In: Monitoring and responding to resident behavior.
• Skills In: Problem solving and decision making.
• Skills In: Both verbal and written communication.
• Skills In: Basic Computer skills in word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages
• Skills In: Driving 15 passenger van for transporting juveniles to and from home, school, and scheduled activities.
• Ability To: Required to work morning, afternoons and evenings in order to meet the needs of the program
• Ability To: Work efficiently both independently and as part of a team.
• Ability To: Reason and make judgments and decisions.
• Ability To: Maintain resident and program confidentiality.
• Ability To: Deal effectively with mentally disturbed, hostile and aggressive individuals.
• Ability To: Manage time well, perform multiple tasks, and organize diverse activities.
• Ability To: Submit written documentation clearly, accurately, and impartially.
• Ability To: Perform effectively and courteously in a stressful environment while maintaining a professional manner.
• Ability To: Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, representatives of outside agencies, other county employees and officials, representatives of the juvenile justice system and the general public.

Nice To Haves

• Some college education in Criminal Justice, Corrections, Social Work, Psychology, Sociology or a related field is preferred, but not required
• Knowledgeable and be able to perform physical training but not required
• Knowledge of Spanish is preferred

Responsibilities

• Supervise program participants/juveniles in order to ensure compliance with All juvenile court ordered programs and services
• Assist in the transportation and supervision of program youths to and from J.J.A.E.P. and/or school related activities
• Assist the teachers in creating a classroom environment conducive to learning and appropriate for the physical, social and emotional development of students while maintaining a professional behavior at all times
• Communicates and interacts appropriately with all students and staff
• Ability to instruct students and manage their behavior
• Assist the teachers in supervising the juveniles during classroom instruction/activities
• Assist students with classroom assignments as needed
• Assist with follow up on students who are truant by conducting phone calls and/or home visits
• Assist with serving breakfast and lunch meals to students
• Assist with supervising youths during state testing
• Redirect youths who are having behavioral problems during programming hours
• Take all the necessary precautions to protect students, equipment, materials and facilities
• Works cooperatively with the JJAEP teachers to provide behavioral support for students according to the guidelines established in their IEP's
• Review and write behavioral infraction reports related to student behavior
• Collaborate with instructional staff to provide behavioral strategies
• Perform pat-down searches in accordance to CCJJD policies and procedures
• Perform campus and van searches as directed
• Assist in program activities which will promote a level of social, cognitive, emotional and behavioral growth of youths referred to the program
• Serve as a role model to youth and assist them in developing coping skills in order to refrain from re-offending
• Utilize evidence-based curriculum when assigned to do group activity for community-based programs
• Perform duties and coordinate with supervisor the operations, activities and supervision of probation matters that is consistent with the philosophy and objective of the Juvenile Justice Department
• Maintains conduct consistent with standards expected of Cameron County employees as specified in the Cameron County Operations Employee Handbook and that of the Cameron County Juvenile Probation Department
• Must comply with all Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) standards and Code of Ethics requirements
• Assist in any investigations when required and be able to testify in court
• Monitor and oversee Indirect Supervision cases by making monthly phone calls to juvenile(s) home, school, place of employment and adult correctional institutions to inquire about their status quo
• MUST BE AVAILABLE for all emergencies to include, but not limited to; inclement weather, taking children into custody, transporting probation children to placement or emergency release facilities, doctor(s) office(s) as directed by supervisor
• Responsible for reporting any and all suspected cases of abuse or unprofessional conduct on the part of another employee, to include supervisors
• Attend staff meetings and trainings as required
• Assist in escorting juveniles, transportation of juveniles
• Submitting reports to probation officers and /or supervisors as needed
• Conduct urine drug testing on juveniles as requested by juvenile probation officer(s)
• Adhere, maintain, and comply with professional conduct and ethical behavior consistent with the standards and policies and procedures expected by the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), TJJD, Cameron County, and Cameron County Juvenile Justice Department (CCJJD) at all time, both on duty and off duty.
• Adhere and comply with all PREA standards and will follow zero tolerance towards all forms of sexual abuse and sexual harassment.
• Adhere and comply with all TJJD standards to include Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation (ANE) standards and cooperate with all ANE investigations.
• Adhere and comply CCJJD's and Cameron County's policies and procedures and know how to keep abreast of any changes to said policies and procedures, including maintaining a effective safety program as established by Cameron County.
• Adhere to verbal de-escalation policies, procedures and practices
• Adhere to standards regarding use of personal and mechanical restraints, include prohibited techniques and criteria for use
• Adhere to suicide prevention policies, including the suicide prevention plan in residential facilities
• Adhere to TJJD disciplinary procedures
• Adhere to trauma-informed care
• Abide by all federal, state, and local laws
• Perform any and all other duties as assigned by the Chief Juvenile Probation Officer and/or designee to include reassignment which is in the best interest of the department.

Benefits

• Health and Life Insurance Protection
• Sick and Annual Leave
• Retirement System
• Paid Holidays