Juvenile Probation Officer - Field Services

Department:  Field Services

County or State Funded:  County

Exempt or Non-Exempt:  Non-exempt

Pay Grade: C-109

Salary: $20.79-$25.98 per hour

Basic Function and Responsibility:

Provides counseling and coordinates services to address the habilitative and rehabilitative needs of youth and families using casework methods, such as assessment, treatment planning, counseling, and direct supervision.  Assess youth and families to determine treatment and service needs.  Develop and implement treatment plans and services.  Ensure compliance with court orders. Counsel youth and families. Supervise progress and facilitate groups.  Prepare and maintain accurate documentation.  Work with varied resources to coordinate treatment and service needs.  Attend court, testify and recommend case actions.

Appointing Authority and Supervision Received: 

The deputy court administrator of family court is the appointing authority.  The juvenile probation officer is directly supervised by the program manager.

Supervision Exercised:

None.

Characteristic and Assigned Duties: (The following duties are representative of the position and do not include all duties which may be performed.)

• Assess and determine the habilitative and rehabilitative needs of youth and families through various methods, such as personal interviews, case history investigation and review, psychological tests and evaluations and consultation with professional sources.
• Formulate and implement a course of action, which will serve to effectively modify attitudes and behavior patterns and develop and stabilize personal, social and emotional adjustment skills.
• Counsel with youth and families on an individual and group basis to assist in recognizing in understanding and overcoming problems through varied approaches.
• Maintain regular and frequent contact with youth to provide supervision and monitor behavior and progress to ensure constructive response to treatment and service.
• Implement changes to modify treatment and service to best achieve established goals.
• Compile, organize, and update case history files for accurate representation of youth and family background, behavior and other relative information.
• Utilize outside resources for protective or supportive services to youth and families.
• Transport youth and make home, school and other field visits in personal or court vehicle.
• Attend court and make recommendations regarding youth.
• Consistently ensure compliance with court orders.
• Monitor placement of youth in non-court institutions to ensure appropriate care, treatment and services.
• May make initial determinations regarding detainment, referral or release of youth referred to the Court.
• May perform public speaking.
• Administer substance abuse tests to youth.
• Attend and participate in various work-related meetings and training.
• Work directly with school officials, treatment providers, community stakeholders and staff regarding at-risk youth.
• Performs other duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: (This job description does not include specific physical requirements necessary to perform the job, such as, carrying, standing and lifting. Such requirements vary from position to position and may be determined by the appointing authority.)

• Knowledge of various counseling and treatment modalities.
• Knowledge of adolescent behavior.
• Patience and ability to positively engage with youth and families from diverse cultural, economic and ethnic backgrounds.
• Ability to supervise, motivate and counsel adolescents with behavioral problems, and their families.
• Ability to formulate and implement appropriate treatment plans.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and to prepare clear, complete and logical reports.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to organize and prioritize responsibilities.
• Ability to project a positive role model.
• Ability to operate a vehicle in a safe and prudent manner.

Minimum Qualifications: (Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis, provided a high school diploma or GED has been obtained.)

Bachelor’s degree in a related field.  (Degree required, cannot substitute experience for degree.)  2 years work experience in the same or closely related field is required.  Experience can be from internships, practicums, or employment and must have required the use of social work or psychological principles and techniques to effect behavioral change.

Necessary Special Requirement: 

Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license from state of residence, and provide proof of such.

Must possess and maintain state mandated auto liability insurance and properly licensed/reliable vehicle, and provide proof of such.

Must be able to successfully pass physical exam/physical abilities performance test. 

All candidates selected for employment will be subject to background screenings as part of the hiring process.  Certain positions may also require additional checks, including but not limited to education verification, child abuse and neglect clearances, drug screenings, and physical assessments, as applicable to the responsibilities of the role. 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER