Specialized Populations Officer (Juvenile)

Specialized Populations Officer (Juvenile)

This classification level is responsible for providing case management and supervision of high-risk individuals entered into the Problem-Solving Court program, post-release supervision, or other high-risk adult and juvenile probationers for specialized cases including sex offenders, domestic violence offenders, and drug offenses. Responsibilities may include: performing pre-sentence investigations; classification and clinical assessments for PSC participants to identify needs; developing case plan to track and manage goals; working with treatment providers within the community; investigating violations and discussing sanctions; conducting cognitive group therapy meetings; conducting and monitoring drug tests; preparing and submitting probationer progress reports; arresting or detaining probationers per statute; performing field and home visits for assessment and reassessment. Cases assignments based on rotation and supervisor assignment (for PSCs).

Location: 300 N St. Joseph Ave Suite 210, Hastings, NE 68901

Work Schedule: Primarily day shift, with occasional nights, weekends, and holidays required

Salary and Compensation:

• Starting Salary: $60,313.77 annually (Hiring Rate).
• Immediate Growth: Earn a 2.5% pay increase after successfully completing your probation period.
• Starting Rate Flexibility: Higher starting pay may be considered based on education and experience, subject to final management approval.
• Please Note: Candidates approved to start above the Hiring Rate (at or above the Minimum Permanent rate) are not eligible for the 2.5% post-probation increase.
• Future Increases: Annual cost-of-living adjustments (applied on July 1) are subject to State Legislature approval.

Job Duties:

• Investigate, monitor and or supervise targeted, program-specific high-risk individuals on probation, post-release supervision and/or involved in a Problem-Solving Court adult and juvenile offenders.
• Perform counseling, case management, case reporting, and related functions of managing a caseload under close supervision.
• Develop a team supervision approach with the individual's referral source (probation officer who conducted the PSI, Navigation Officer, Problem Solving Court Team, County Jail staff, Prison Caseworker.
• Participate in the treatment process of individuals and is engaged in the probationer's/participant's treatment through regular and on-going communication with treatment providers and through attendance at treatment groups and facilities. Assists in the development of relapse prevention plan.
• Facilitates groups which may include, but not be limited to, topical, supervision groups, cognitive programs or skill building, life skills enhancement and general education of clients.
• Prepares violation reports, compliance reports and conducts record checks; Enters and updates client information into appropriate systems; determines reports to send to the court for updates.
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level.

The above classification responsibilities represent only the key areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the business needs of the department.

Requirements / Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in social services, Criminal Justice or directly related field, and
• Experience: 2 years of experience in case management in related fields

Note: An equivalent combination of relevant education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above will also be accepted.

All educational credits must be granted from an accredited institution approved by the U.S. Dept. of Education.

Knowledge:

• Customer service principles.
• Criminal Justice system, laws, legal codes, and court procedures.
• Interview and Assessment procedures and practices.
• Intervention policies and procedures.
• Cognitive skill building, motivational learning.
• Social learning theory.
• Crisis intervention techniques.
• Modern office procedures and equipment.
• Recordkeeping principles.
• Document review techniques.
• Computers and related software applications.

Skills:

• Making home visits.
• Interviewing probationers.
• Tracking probationers' location(s).
• Utilizing probation and protective techniques.
• Applying applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
• Preparing activity reports and updating databases.
• Operating computers and applicable software applications.
• Utilizing communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisors, the general public and others to sufficiently exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.

Physical Requirements:

Incumbents may be subjected to environmental threats, odors, dusts, inadequate lighting, workspace restrictions, and travel.

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.