Juvenile Probation Officer - Intake

Intake Juvenile Probation Officer

Harris County Juvenile Probation Department (HCJPD) is the third-largest juvenile justice agency in the country and the second-largest department in Harris County, employing over 1,200 professionals dedicated to youth justice transformation and reform. HCJPD is committed to improving outcomes for youth, reducing racial disproportionality, and ensuring a safe environment for both staff and residents. We continuously innovate by implementing systemic changes to lower detention populations and promote positive youth development.

The Intake and Court Services Division serves as the primary point of contact for young people and their families referred to the department. Our mission is to provide families with information and support while offering intervention services that address both immediate concerns and long-term needs. Staff members conduct interviews, assessments, coordinate services, and connect families with community resources to support their needs. In addition, the division is responsible for producing detailed court reports that summarize each young person's history, needs, risks, and recommended services. These reports play a key role in helping juvenile court judges make informed, appropriate, and individualized decisions regarding case outcomes.

The Intake Juvenile Probation Officer (JPO) is a critical member of a 24-hour Intake Screening Unit, responsible for reviewing referrals from law enforcement involving youth ages 10 to 17 who are alleged to have committed Class B misdemeanors or higher. This role ensures each case is handled in accordance with statutory guidelines while balancing public safety and the individual needs of the youth and their families. The Intake JPO facilitates key intake processes, including admission and release decisions and detention hearing procedures, for juveniles referred to and admitted to the Harris County Juvenile Justice Detention Center. The officer conducts interviews, gathers social history information, and completes validated risk and needs assessments to inform recommendations on detention or release. This position is designated as essential and requires in-person attendance as needed to support continuous, 24-hour operations.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Screens, accepts and releases juveniles placed in detention by law enforcement, probation officers, judges or other authorized entities.
• Completes all aspects of case file management, including interviews (office and telephone), administering assessment tools, submitting court reports, initiating referrals to community-based resources, documentation and data entry of services and activities, and all other tasks needed for each case.
• Provides supervision and case file management requirements for Intake level assigned cases.
• Provides information on community-based organizations for walk-ins and telephone inquiries from the public.
• Transports juveniles to their homes, shelters, bus stations, or airports as required.

Qualifying applicants must complete the HCJPD Standard Basic Spelling & Grammar assessment with a minimum score of 80%.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree conferred by a college or university accredited by an organization recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and either:
• (A) One year of graduate study at an accredited college or university (18 completed post-graduate hours) in Criminology, Corrections, Counseling, Law, Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, or other closely related field.
• OR
• (B) At least 1500 hours of paid or non-paid experience working in a social service, community, corrections, or juvenile agency that deals with offenders or disadvantaged persons. These hours must have been earned within 12 months, which do not have to be consecutive months.

Licensure:

• Must possess a valid driver's license and have available transportation for use on the job with vehicle insured to comply with the liability limits required by statute.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Working knowledge of Intake Services policies and procedures.
• Working knowledge of Juvenile Detention Hearing Court and detention alternative programs and services.
• Working knowledge of Juvenile District Court policies and procedures.
• Working knowledge of interdepartmental unit policies and procedures, services and programs and community resources.
• Working knowledge of Texas Juvenile Justice Department standards.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and all other computer systems and programs needed to perform the job.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain an active certification as a Juvenile Probation Officer in accordance with TJJD requirements.
• Must be 21 years of age.

Additional Requirements:

• Upon receiving a conditional job offer, all applicants must undergo a criminal background check and drug screening.
• All applicants must provide evidence of a tuberculosis (TB) skin test. If the attest result is positive, additional documentation will be required.
• All employees are subject to random drug and alcohol testing, as well as testing based on reasonable suspicion that the employee may be under the influence of a substance prohibited by the county's drug and alcohol policy during the course and scope of employment.
• In the event of a public emergency declared by the county, staff may be assigned to other duties, facilities, or departments under the supervision of another county department.
• Applicants must be at least 21 years old.
• Employees in this position must possess and maintain a valid Texas Driver's license and maintain liability insurance coverage at least equal to the minimum amounts required by law.
• Certified copies of educational transcripts and/or college credits will be required during the hiring process.
• This position involves working with challenging youth where the use of crisis intervention and de-escalation strategies may be necessary to ensure the safety of both youth and staff.

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

• Grant-funded Full-time
• 40 hours per week | 4:00 PM - 12:00 AM with two (2) consecutive weekdays off.

Salary: $58,573.00 Annually

Open Position Location: Intake Services

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.