Juvenile Probation Officer

Summary

Essential Duties

• Receive assigned incoming juvenile referrals and make personal contact with the juvenile within 5 working days of receiving the assigned case.
• Determine appropriate action for each referral based on case facts of the offense, child's history, familial status, assessment instruments, progressive sanctions and departmental policy.
• Refer juvenile to appropriate service agencies within 2 weeks of determination of needs. Ensure their needs are identified in their case plan.
• After consultation with the Assistant Probation Supervisor make detention/release decisions in accordance with Title III Texas Family Code.
• Maintain current, accurate statistical information on caseworker system regarding each child. Ensure that each contact with child, parent, school, placement, and all secondary contacts are documented in caseworker within 5 working days of the contact.
• Conduct initial interview within 10 working days of receiving all assigned cases, complete all required supervision and agency referral paperwork.
• Complete individual case plan and CSE-IT on all official probationers within 30 working days of case disposition. Reassess individual case/program plan every 30 days or when there is a change in the program or needs while the child is under supervision with child and family. Reassess individual CSE-IT no less that once every six months or when there is new information gathered. Conduct Case Plan Reviews within 15 calendar days after a child’s probation is modified or a Courtesy Supervision is received.
• Update all changes (school, phone number, addresses, etc.) in JCMS and maintain accurate, current documentation in chronological order in dictation section of files. Ensure that each contact with child, parent, school, placement, and all secondary contacts are documented within 5 days of the contact.
• Provide counseling, crisis intervention and assessment/referral to all youths and families, as needed, assigned to your caseload. Provide informal supervision, pre-court supervision and regular probation supervision to children in accordance with risk assessments and the supervision and merit system.
• After consultation and approval of the assistant probation supervisor, file violations of probation and new referrals with the Criminal District Attorney’s office in a timely manner. File petitions with CDA on children in detention in accordance with the 15/30 day filing deadline. All other cases should be filed within 10 working days.
• Take juveniles into custody according to policy.
• Restrain residents who are out of control, damaging property, and/or presenting a danger to themselves or others. Utilize non-violent physical restraint methods and mechanical restraints as warranted in accordance with departmental policy. Submit written report of mechanical restraint usage to assistant detention superintendent within one hour of usage, unless restraints are used for transporting residents.
• Recommend disposition of adjudicated youth to the juvenile court following progressive sanctions guidelines, as well as assessment of court fees, probation fees, restitution and support fees.
• Ensure all ordered fees are collected. Inform your supervisor in writing quarterly when the child is not meeting their ordered financial responsibilities.
• Maintain files in an orderly fashion according to file maintenance policy (i.e. sectional content, labels, etc.), including electronic uploading
• Maintain current information form on each child. Ensure that information is accurate and corresponds with dictation section.
• Prepare all other reports, applications, billing and statistical information as required.
• Transport juvenile and/or parents to any necessary appointments, doctor visits, counseling sessions, field trips, special events, placements, etc. in accordance with departmental policy.
• Notify child's parent/guardian any time child is detained by the juvenile probation department for detention and orientation material.
• Collect urine samples from juveniles for analysis based on case history and assessments that have been completed as deemed appropriate.
• Organize and participate in special activities for supervised juveniles.
• Ensure that all necessary paperwork is completed on all youth in placement, including Court orders and common applications and all other documents required by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department or the individual placement.
• Facilitate group counseling sessions parenting classes, job skills training classes and diversion classes, etc. for probationers.
• Prepare necessary paperwork for Administrative Hearings, LCJJC placements and present material as required.
• Participate in staffing and meetings on assigned residents.
• Keep supervisor informed, at least on a weekly basis, on status of caseload.
• Conduct TJJD Assessment Tools in accordance with the Family code.
• Conduct Exit Plans in accordance with the Family Code.
• Maintain contacts with assigned juveniles and families in accordance with assigned supervision and merit system.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Position Requirements

Supplemental Information

REQUIRED TO HAVE: Telephone; Valid Texas Driver’s license; An automobile; Liability insurance on the vehicle used for work purposes.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: This job requires some light lifting (less than 50 lbs), the ability to run in response to emergencies, and custodial incidents, the ability to restrain juvenile offenders via HWC techniques, unlock doors, squat, bend and kneel.

DISCLAIMER: The above description reflects the details considered necessary to describe the standard functions of this position and should not be constructed as a thorough description of all work requirements. The characteristics of the work environment described are representative of those that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Equal Employment Employer: Lubbock County will not discriminate in our employment practices based on an applicant’s race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or status as a protected veteran.