Probation Officer Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• At least four years of experience working directly with adolescents in criminal justice, social services, or education; or an associate degree from an accredited college or university and at least two years of such experience.
• A valid driver’s license. Florida residents hired with an out-of-state license must obtain a valid Florida driver’s license within 30 days of hire.
• At least 19 years of age.
• High school graduation or equivalent.
• Must meet Florida statutory restrictions concerning felony or specified misdemeanor convictions and dishonorable military discharges, and comply with fingerprinting, background investigation, and other screening requirements.
• Must execute and submit the required affidavit attesting to statutory eligibility.
• Maintain Protective Action Response certification and CPR and First Aid certifications throughout employment.
• Obtain or hold Department of Juvenile Justice direct-care certification; candidates who need certification must complete it within 180 days of employment, including successfully completing the mandatory residential training academy in Quincy, Florida.
• Candidates not currently employed in the state system as DJJ direct-care workers may be required to pass the Ergometric IMPACT Assessment and Training Test.
• Strong working knowledge of case-management practices, interviewing and counseling techniques, and computer programs.
• Ability to recommend appropriate processing and handling of delinquent youth, develop case plans, communicate effectively, determine work priorities, and build working relationships with community and judicial partners.
• Ability to make independent decisions, analyze situations, communicate verbally and in writing, and conduct and document interviews.
• Candidates whose duties include transporting youth must have a valid driver’s license and a three-year acceptable driving record.
• Subject to criminal background checks and pre-employment drug screening for direct-care positions.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university.
• State of Florida Juvenile Probation Officer certification.
• Volunteer or intern experience with the Department of Juvenile Justice or social-service agency programs.
• Concentration in social sciences or people-focused disciplines such as social work, sociology, or psychology.

Responsibilities

• Initiate contact with youth, families, victims, and law enforcement when referrals are received.
• Conduct home and school visits and gather information about the youth and family, including relevant records from other agencies.
• Complete and document Department of Juvenile Justice screenings and assessments, including risk, needs, and suicide-risk instruments.
• Develop case-management strategies and make service referrals, then follow up on required actions.
• Recommend supervision and treatment options to the State Attorney and judicial partners.
• Prepare required screening instruments, case plans, court reports, status reports, commitment documents, and supervision termination documents.
• Represent the Department during court hearings and support its recommendations.
• Prepare and maintain social histories, court reports, referral letters, and related correspondence; testify at hearings when appropriate.
• Prepare affidavits or petitions for violations of probation and request hearings when appropriate.
• Complete risk and needs assessments for youth screened or supervised by the Department.
• Conduct face-to-face contacts with youth and families in homes, schools, detention centers, placements, workplaces, and other community settings, including evenings and weekends.
• Assist youth with obtaining mental-health and substance-abuse evaluations, specialized testing, and treatment as needed.
• Support school and after-school enrollment, maintain school contact, and verify attendance, academic performance, and behavior.
• Provide crisis intervention support and connect youth and families with crisis services and resources.
• Help youth establish goals and plans, provide ongoing support, and discuss goals, supervision conditions, timelines, and expected supervision completion.
• Address concerns, needs, risks, and violations in coordination with the unit supervisor and in accordance with applicable policies and law.
• Conduct case staffing at required benchmarks and milestones, including complex cases and transitions or exits from residential programs.
• Participate in transition and exit planning and arrange referrals for post-residential mental-health, substance-abuse, education, and workforce services.
• Enter case-management activities and upload required documents to the Juvenile Justice Information System in accordance with applicable rules.
• Maintain familiarity with community resources and provide input on service-delivery issues, program developments, and grant proposals when requested.
• Attend and participate in professional-development trainings and meetings, and follow departmental policies, procedures, and administrative rules.