Juvenile probation officer job description

Under general supervision, provides social services to assist in rehabilitation of law offenders in custody or on probation. Makes recommendations for actions involving formulation of rehabilitation plan and treatment of youth, including conditional release and education and employment stipulations.

* Interview youth offender regularly to evaluate their progress in accomplishing goals and maintaining the terms specified in their probation contracts and rehabilitation plans.

* Recommend remedial action or initiate court action in response to non-compliance with terms of probation or parole.

* Administer drug and alcohol tests, including random drug screens of youth offenders, to verify compliance with substance abuse treatment programs.
* Prepare and maintain case folder for each assigned youth offender.
* Discuss with youth offenders how such issues as drug and alcohol abuse and anger management problems might have played a role in their criminal behavior.
* Conduct pre-hearing and pre-screening investigations and testify in court regarding offenders' backgrounds and recommend sentences and sentencing conditions.
* Inform youth offenders of requirements of conditional release, such as office visits, restitution payments, or educational and employment stipulations.
* Write reports describing youth offenders' progress.
* Investigate legal issues.
* Write reports or evaluations. Counsel clients or patients with substance abuse issues.
* Arrange for medical, mental health, or substance abuse treatment services according to individual needs or court orders.
* Supervise people on community-based sentences, such as electronically monitored home detention, and provide field supervision of youth offenders by conducting curfew checks or visits to home, work, or school.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

* Bachelor's degree in a related field from an accredited college or university
* OR Two years of experience at the lower level Juv. Probation/Parole Spec 1 (SSP130) or position equivalent.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Preference will be given to applicants who, in addition to meeting the minimum qualifications, possess two or more of the following:

* Completion of an undergraduate degree with a major in one of the following areas: Psychology, Sociology, Criminal Justice, Social Work, Education or a directly related field.
* Two (2) or more years of direct case management experience working with offenders and families in human services delivery setting.
* Three (3) years or more of experience at the lower level equivalent.
* This position is eligible for a Military Incentive. This incentive is for current/former service members who have served on active duty

THIS POSITION IS NOT LOCATED IN THE AUGUSTA, GA AREA OR NEAR EVANS, GA. IT IS LOCATED IN CLAXTON, GA WHICH IS IN SE GEORGIA NEAR STATESBORO AND VIDALIA AREA.

THIS IS AN INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

THIS IS AN UNCLASSIFIED POSITION.

THE SELECTED APPLICANT FOR THE POSITION WILL BE SUBJECT TO A REFERENCE CHECK AND CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK, WHERE APPLICABLE.

PLEASE INCLUDE ALL RELEVANT JOB INFORMATION ON THE APPLICATION FOR CONSIDERATION.

ALL APPLICATIONS WILL BE PRESCREENED.

DJJ IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Bachelor's degree in a related field from an accredited college or university OR Two years of experience at the lower level Juv. Probation/Parole Spec 1 (SSP130) or position equivalent.

Additional Information

* Number of Openings: 1
* Advertised Salary: $42,000.00
* Shift: Day Job
* Posting End Date: Oct 21, 2022

UNCLASSIFIED POSITION IN JUVENILE COURT

* THE SALARY FOR THIS POSITION IS $47,246.00*

QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor's degree in a behavioral science (psychology, sociology), criminal justice, or a related field and two (2) years of experience working in a juvenile justice system or a related area (one (1) year of lead or supervisory experience is preferred); or a year for year interchange of indicated education and experience equal to the minimum qualifications.

LICENSING REQUIREMENTS:

Valid State of Georgia driver's license or proof of mobility equivalent may be requested.

EXAMINATION:

The examination will consist of an evaluation of education and experience, accomplished by analysis of the application. Application must document that the applicant possesses the minimum knowledge, skills, education and experience as listed to be rated as qualified. If selected, an official, accredited college transcript is required, at time of employment, for all degrees/course work used to qualify for this position.

All applications must be completed in full before they are submitted. Please review all applications for accuracy and make all corrections before submittal because errors can result in not meeting the minimum qualifications. Additional information will not be accepted after applications are received by the Department of Human Resources Management.

JOB SUMMARY

Monitors an assigned caseload of juveniles who become involved with or subject to the intervention of the Juvenile Court System.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Provides individual, family, or group counseling as needed to ensure compliance with court orders and ensures progressive efforts toward rehabilitation and prevention. Schedules, prepares, and presents juvenile cases for court. Conducts interviews with youth offenders and parents and/or guardians. Monitors participation of juveniles in resource programs and compliance at home, school, work, and in the community. Conducts interviews and legal, social, and custody investigations of juveniles and prepares reports to be utilized by Assistant District Attorneys, Public Defenders, court-appointed attorneys, and judges. Recommends individualized action plans for dispositional phases of court hearings. Identifies available community resources designed to meet the needs of youth offenders.

Prepares monthly reports on the status of juvenile cases. Ensures that court cases and diversionary cases are. Monitors and manages the court juvenile case management system for data collection, coding, storage, analysis and prepares written materials, charts and graphs on specialized techniques and research results for use by judges and other stakeholders. Makes recommendations on incentives and sanctions. Suggests youth program improvements based on service outcomes and completion rates.?Acts as a liaison for entities such as Juvenile Court, Family Dependency Court, Fulton County Superior Drug Court, substance treatment providers and social service agencies. ?

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES

Requires knowledge of Principles and practices of supervision. Criminal and juvenile laws and codes. Theories and principles of counseling related to the juvenile justice system. Court practices and procedures. Legal terminology, including terminology related to the juvenile justice system. Theories and principles of childhood and adolescent development/behavior. Theories and principles of sociology, psychology, and/or criminal justice. Techniques used to conduct interviews with juveniles. Principles and practices of legal case management related to juvenile justice. Community resources/programs associated with children/adolescents. General office practices, procedures, equipment, and technology.

Requires skill in Organizing and prioritizing work. Using investigative and mediation techniques. Performing effective legal case management. Using spreadsheet, database, word processing, presentation, financial/accounting and other software to gather, organize, analyze, and present information. Conducting effective interviews with juveniles. Intervening effectively in crisis situations. Building sustainable working relationships with other County personnel, officials, and the public. Communicating effectively with coworkers, supervisor, and the public. Generating enthusiasm and support for program objectives.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Work is typically performed in an office-like environment. May work in high conflict situations and with difficult, sometimes dangerous parties. Positions in this class typically require sitting, standing, mobility, lifting, carrying, bending, crouching, kneeling, reaching, using foot controls, driving, talking, hearing, and seeing. Work in this class also involves safety and security risks. Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work.

PERFORMANCE METRICS

Factor 1: Decision Making

Process: There is choice in determining the process to accomplish the work. This choice includes designing the set of operations. Positions do not necessarily perform the operations.

Factor 2: Complexity

Formative: Evaluates the relevance and importance of theories, concepts, and principles, and tailors them to develop a different approach or tactical plan to fit specific circumstances.

Factor 3: Purpose of Contact

Detect, Secure or Advise: Purpose is to detect, discover, expose information, problems, violations or failures by interviewing or investigating.

Purpose 4: Line/Staff Authority

Individual Contributor: No supervisory accountability.

It is the policy of Fulton County that there will be equal opportunity for every citizen, employee and applicant, based upon merit without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability or sexual orientation.

SPECIAL INFORMATION:

* An employee new to the Judicial Branch will serve a one-year probationary period.
* The successful applicant will be subject to a criminal background check, including the Child Protection Services registry.
* Travel may be required.
* Working hours may include occasional evenings & weekends.

Nature of Work:

This is professional human services and social work involving the direction, supervision, and guidance of juveniles on probation and/or in placement outside the home.

Work includes working with juveniles, their families, school staff, and representatives from social service and law enforcement agencies to preserve the unity and welfare of the family; provide for the care, protection and wholesome mental and physical development of the juvenile; prevent and reduce juvenile delinquency and/or chemical dependency through a system that provides supervision, care, rehabilitation, treatment, detention, competency development, and community protection for the juvenile to avoid the juvenile becoming an adult offender; and ensure that juvenile pay restitution to victims as ordered by the court. A position may be assigned duties in a specialized area such as a youth drug court program or restitution. Decisions made in the course of work can have profound effects on the juvenile and family and include imposing limits on curfew and peer associations; arranging for counseling, evaluations, and academic support; arranging for family-based counseling services; or removing youth from a situation or circumstances not in their best interest. Initially, work is performed under the close supervision of a chief probation officer or more experienced juvenile probation officer. Once experience is gained, work is performed with considerable independent judgment, discretion, and decision making. Work is evaluated by a chief probation officer for conformance with the Montana Youth Court Act through discussions, review of case reports, and an annual evaluation.

Essential Functions: (Any one position may not include all the duties listed, nor do the examples cover all the duties which may be performed)

* Evaluates case, police, and arrest reports to make initial determination of the validity of criminal charges and makes appropriate referrals to the county attorney's office; conducts intake hearings on youth who have violated the law and forwards appropriate cases to the county attorney for prosecution.
* Makes initial assessment of youth to determine risk level, mental health and chemical dependency problems; interviews youth, families, victims, school personnel, professional service providers and others to gather factual and social information; assesses information and recommends appropriate placements and/or treatments in the best interest of the youth.
* Completes timely and accurate reports to the court including findings, recommendations, and justifications for recommendations, considerations of community protection, accountability and building competency for youth as well as victim impact implications; testifies in court
* Meets regularly with assigned youth to provide counseling, setting goals, acquiring education, developing life skills, and complying with their probation conditions or treatment programs; maintains contact with parents, including home visits, to coordinate implementation of case plans. Develops appropriate case plans based on initial assessment of youth and their family.
* Gathers information, prepares reports, and makes presentations before the youth placement committee after formal court adjudication and prior to formal disposition and placement.
* Supervises assigned youth who are on formal or informal probation and monitors compliance with probation conditions including school, employment, counseling, community service, and restitution.
* Provides crisis intervention services, including making referrals and facilitating placement while families work out problems.
* May serve as a member of an internal or community committee to assist in the development of policy or provide recommendations to the chief probation officer on the development of new or enhanced programs.
* May function in a specialized area such as a youth drug court or restitution program.

Working Conditions:

The work is performed primarily in an office environment and involves exposure to normal, everyday risks which require normal safety precautions typical of offices. Employees may be exposed to violent or non-compliant youth or family members and be on-call for work evenings and on weekends. Latex gloves are worn when obtaining urine samples.

Physical Demands:

This position requires activities such as sitting for long periods, standing, bending, stooping, reaching, climbing stairs, lifting, moving, and carrying light to medium objects, operating office equipment. Work may also require driving for long periods in a variety of weather conditions.

Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills:

Knowledge of the principles of youth probation work and related court procedures.

Knowledge of child and adolescent development and behavior and family dynamics.

Some knowledge of community resources available to youth and their families.

Ability to persuade assigned youth and their families to work for positive behavioral changes.

Ability to prepare accurate and reliable reports containing findings, conclusions, recommendations, and justifications.

Ability to accurately document contacts/observations.

Ability to read, understand, and effectively apply the provisions of the Montana Youth Court Act and Interstate Compact to juveniles.

Ability to organize time and effectively manage workload.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the youth and their families, school personnel, chief probation officer and probation staff, judges, private and public human service agencies, professional groups, and the public.

Ability to maintain the confidentiality of information.

Ability to work effectively as a member of a team.

Ability to be perceptive, versatile, flexible yet firm and matter of fact when necessary.

Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

Ability to deal with upset, angry, and emotionally charged people and resolving conflicts.

Skill in the operation of a personal computer with word processing applications.

Qualifications:

Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in the behavioral sciences, Human Services or Criminal Justice and one-year of experience. Previous experience in law enforcement, criminal justice, youth services, or social services is preferred.

Licensure and Certification Requirements:

Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Montana driver's license; proof of insurance if using a personal vehicle on State business.