CSO - Assessor (Adult Probation)

Job Title

Community Supervision Officer (CSO)-Assessor at the Centralized Assessment and Screening Team (CAST)

Position Description

The Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department (CSCD) is one of the largest probation departments in the United States, supervising more than 70,000 individuals and employing over 600 staff members across 6 locations. We provide a wide range of services including community supervision, outpatient counseling, cognitive-behavioral programming, and residential treatment, designed to strengthen our clients' abilities and support their long-term success. With a focus on utilizing evidence-based practices, we aim to improve outcomes and reduce recidivism for all clients under supervision.

As a Community Supervision Officer (CSO)-Assessor at the Centralized Assessment and Screening Team (CAST), you will be setting the foundation that is essential to the success of Clients placed on community supervision. By accurately assessing each Client's risk, needs and responsivity factors and identifying appropriate supervision and intervention needs for these criminal justice-involved individuals, you'll be informing judicial decisions and guiding the pathway for Client's success on community supervision and beyond. The CSO-Assessor conducts these comprehensive assessments utilizing the Texas Risk Assessment System (TRAS) to evaluate Clients' criminogenic risk and needs through client interviews and collateral record reviews. The CSO-Assessor prepares detailed reports that summarize assessment findings and formulates recommendations regarding supervision and intervention levels, and these reports are shared with the Court and HCCSCD personnel.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conducts comprehensive assessments by administering various components of the Texas Risk Assessment System (TRAS) and the Centralized Assessment and Screening Team (CAST) interview process to assist individuals in the criminal justice system.
• Obtains and reviews collateral information from various criminal justice databases in preparation for conducting assessments with clients from diverse backgrounds.
• Conducts thorough client interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire, applying professional judgement to ask pertinent follow-up and clarifying questions. These interviews may be conducted in person or virtually.
• Evaluates findings from the client interview and collateral records to effectively score the Texas Risk Assessment (TRAS) tool.
• Composes detailed and professionally written reports that include pertinent information gathered throughout the assessment process, which include details from client interviews, collateral sources, and TRAS results. Strong writing abilities are essential for success in this function.
• Utilizes assessment results to formulate individual recommendations concerning a client's level of intervention, suggested programs, and case management strategies. Assessment reports and recommendations are shared with the Court and Department personnel to make informed decisions on the appropriate placement of clients.
• Ensures accurate entries in the electronic case management systems.
• Maintains professional and effective communication, including email correspondence, with judges, attorneys, prosecutors, court personnel, law enforcement officials, CSCD personnel, victims, and community members.
• Participate in individual and interdisciplinary staffing for discussing cases and recommendations.
• Participates in team, unit, and departmental meetings.
• Travel to Court, jail, other HCCSCD locations or off-site locations for assessments, meetings, training, etc. is required as needed.
• Testify in a court setting.
• Operates office equipment, computers, phones, telecommunication devices, and other necessary required tools.
• Works collaboratively with other personnel.
• Fosters a positive work environment by communicating and behaving cooperatively, respectfully, and amicably with supervisors, co-workers, and the public.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• Works overtime as required.

Other Duties:

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Requirements

Education:

• Bachelor's degree conferred by an institution of higher education accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Additional Requirements:

• Professional writing is an essential function of the position and employees must demonstrate strong writing skills.
• Become Texas Risk Assessment System (TRAS) certified and obtain certification within the first two attempts. Failure to pass the certification may result in termination of employment.
• Obtain state-mandated qualifications for a Community Supervision Officer within one year of appointment. Failure to pass the certification may result in termination of employment.
• Meet the minimum requirements for access to Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS).
• Must have a valid Texas Class C Automobile Operator's License or Texas Identification Card.
• APPLICATION MUST INCLUDE ALL PAST EMPLOYMENT. CERTIFIED ORIGINAL TRANSCRIPT WILL BE REQUIRED AT TIME OF HIRE.

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

General Information

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

• Regular Full-time
• Hours will range between 7:00 AM - 5:00 PM Monday - Friday | Five (5) days per week
• Flexibility in work schedule/work location is required and determined by program needs.

Salary:

• $ 4,572.24 - $ 5,511.32 Monthly
• Depends on Qualifications
• Based on 26 Pay Periods

Work Environment and Physical Demands:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in an office setting, although there is an opportunity to work remotely on designated days after the introductory period and employee is in good standing.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The employee is frequently required to communicate with co-workers and Clients, as well as visually observe Clients for assessment purposes. May have to travel to Court, correctional facilities or other HCCSCD or Harris County locations.

Location:

• Downtown - 49 San Jacinto, Houston TX 77002

Employment is contingent upon passing a background check and drug screen.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.

Harris County Employee Benefits

Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.

The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:

Health & Wellness Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Wellness Plan
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
• Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
• One (1) floating holiday per year
• Paid Parental Leave*
• Sick Leave

Retirement Savings Benefit

• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions:

• Professional learning & development opportunities
• Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)