Juvenile Probation Officer

Job Description

Job Description

Summary of Essential Responsibilities:

The primary function of a Juvenile Probation Officer is to provide professional casework services to assigned clients in accordance with the Texas Family Code, departmental policies and other governing criteria as appropriate.

A Juvenile Probation Officer should have a thorough knowledge of juvenile law and possess good casework skills. Officers are responsible for identifying client problems and needs and developing rehabilitative measures for the client while also providing supervision and behavioral controls.

Officers are also responsible for development of diagnostic data for judicial proceedings as well as monitoring the progress of cases referred to the Juvenile Court. They should have a thorough knowledge of their cases and be able to support their recommendations and requests from a sound database. They should also have good communication skills in order to intelligently present information to the courts or other agencies.

Officers Attitude:

Officers should have a sound knowledge and understanding of social, environmental, family and other factors, which are commonly acknowledged to be factors in the behavior of juvenile offenders. They should be able to take an empathetic approach to dealing with juveniles and their families and, hence, deal with assigned cases in a realistic manner. They should also have an understanding of their responsibility to the community and exercise that responsibility in an appropriate manner. Officers should be ethical in accomplishment of their duties. They should maintain appropriate working relationships with the families, community and co-workers.

Essential Responsibilities and Functions:

1. Intake on offenses for newly assigned referrals and violations of probation.
2. Development of case information, evaluation and treatment plans.
3. Preparation of case histories.
4. Provide testimony in court.
5. Make referrals to appropriate community agencies including Psychological testing and counseling.
6. Maintain close working relationship with schools, community service agencies, law enforcement agencies, etc.
7. Ensure client compliance with rehabilitative efforts (i.e., probation, supervision, placement, etc.).
8. Conduct home visits, curfew checks and school visits to monitor client conduct at home and in the community.
9. Processing forms for statistical data, maintaining current, accurate and substantive chronological case records.
10. Serves court summons.
11. Compiles monthly statistics regarding work activity.
12. Addresses issues of non-compliance with youth and family.
13. Provide Interim Supervision for out-of-state/county probationers.
14. Participates in the on-call schedule and fulfills associated duties.
15. Assist in preparation of cases for detention hearings.
16. Conduct preliminary intake and release conferences for detained youth during normal duty hours.
17. Provide on-going casework services to assigned client caseload.
18. Refer appropriate cases to other community agencies as needed and monitor progress.
19. Compile and evaluate data to develop case plan for assigned client caseload.
20. Complete required documentation for caseload management.
21. Prepare case summaries as needed.
22. Assist with transportation of youth as needed.
23. Regular attendance is required.
24. Maintain 80 hours biannually of approved training to maintain juvenile probation officer certification.
25. Teaches classes/programs.
26. Supervises community service.
27. Will perform other duties assigned within professional competency.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Must have knowledge of the laws, principles, programs, functions and services governing the juvenile justice system and detention.
• Must have knowledge of laws, principles and practices of social and correctional casework and counseling.
• Must have the ability to communicate effectively both in writing and verbally.
• Must have the ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures or governmental regulations; and ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals; and ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, attorneys, judges, client, families and the general public.
• Must have the ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals; and ability to compute rate, ratio and percent.
• Must have the ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; and ability to interpret an extensive variety of information and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A Bachelor's Degree in criminology, criminal justice, social work, psychology or a related field from an accredited college or university
• Never had any type of certification revoked by lawful authority by the commission and not be currently under an order of suspension as described in 344.840(d) of chapter 344 of the Administrative Code.
• Must possess the work experience or graduate study required in section 344.210 of the Administrative Code.
• Must be certified or eligible for certification through the Texas Juvenile Justice Department.
• Must meet NCIC/TCIC employment guidelines.
• Must have valid driver's license.
• Must have computer proficiency.
• Must successfully complete a background check and sex offender check.
• Be of good moral character.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.