Juvenile Probation Officer - Gang Court

About Harris County Juvenile Probation Department (HCJPD):

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.

About Health Services:

The Health Services division of the HCJPD is responsible for the medical, psychological, and treatment programs within the agency. The services operated within this division include the medical staff that assess and treat youth in the detention center and post-adjudicated facilities. In addition, the division has mental health therapists who provide crisis counseling, and individual, group and family therapy to youth both in the detention center and under community supervision. Lastly, the Health Services division oversees the four specialty courts that operate within the agency to help address some of the underlying factors that may be impacting a youth’s functioning.

Position Overview:

The Specialty Court Juvenile Probation Officer provides intensive supervision, family support, collaboration with service providers, and reports information to assist with program level supervision, treatment, and case plan goals. This position responds to inquiries from legal representatives; juvenile justice involved entities and will be responsible for reporting supervision outcomes to the unit supervisor/administration.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Meets with and monitors youth and completes all aspects of case file management in a timely manner, including: field/school/detention/placement visits, telephone contacts, administering assessment tools, GPS monitoring, court reports, progress notes, case plans, referrals to community resources, documentation and data entry of services and activities, and all other tasks needed for each case by adhering to policy and standards.
• Staffs cases with service providers, legal representatives, supervisor and any appropriate party to triage and or discuss continuum of care for youth.
• Assists Specialty Court Juvenile Probation Officers, Health Services Supervisors and Program Manager/Administrator as needed.
• Assists with transportation of youth and facilitation of transfer/release.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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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 High 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 divisional departmental policies and procedures and Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) Standards.
• Possess a working knowledge of adolescent development and the focus area addressed by the specialty court.
• Possess a working knowledge of community resources.
• Possess and apply overall knowledge of Harris County data processing system, casework system, and legal procedures to fulfill juvenile court needs concerning delinquency.
• General knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
• Knowledge of Pat-Down/Restraint/Transportation policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of required documentation for placing youth in placement.
• 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.

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 butONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

• Grant-funded Full-time
• Monday through Friday | 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Late nights and weekends if necessary and/or as scheduled.

Salary:

• $58,572.80 Annually

Open Position Location:

• 1200 Congress St.

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.