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Juvenile Probation Officer
Position Description
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.
Division Overview:
The Intake and Court Services Division serves as the primary point of contact for young people and their families referred to the department. Our mission is to provide families with information and support while offering intervention services that address both immediate concerns and long-term needs. Staff members conduct interviews, assessments, coordinate services, and connect families with community resources to support their needs. In addition, the division is responsible for producing detailed court reports that summarize each young person’s history, needs, risks, and recommended services. These reports play a key role in helping juvenile court judges make informed, appropriate, and individualized decisions regarding case outcomes.
Position Overview:
The Juvenile Probation Officer assigned to the Court Unit conducts comprehensive interviews and assessments of youth referred to the juvenile courts. This position collects and analyzes social, familial, educational, and behavioral information to prepare detailed social history reports for the court. The officer uses validated risk and needs assessment tools and applies evidence-based practices to develop recommendations that are most appropriate and least restrictive, consistent with public safety, accountability, and support positive youth outcomes. The position requires strong interviewing and interpersonal communication skills; the ability to analyze and interpret complex information from multiple sources, including assessment results; excellent written communication skills, particularly in report writing; and effective time management and organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize competing deadlines.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Screens, accepts and releases juveniles placed in detention by law enforcement, probation officers, judges or other authorized entities.
- Completes all aspects of case file management, including interviews (office and telephone), administering assessment tools, submitting court reports, initiating referrals to community-based resources, documentation and data entry of services and activities, and all other tasks needed for each case.
- Provides supervision and case file management requirements for Intake level assigned cases.
- Provides information on community-based organizations for walk-ins and telephone inquiries from the public.
- Transports juveniles to their homes, shelters, bus stations, or airports as required.
Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net
Requirements
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 Higher 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 Court Services processes, policies, and procedures.
- Working knowledge of Juvenile Detention Hearing and Juvenile District Court policies and procedures.
- Working knowledge of detention alternative programs and community-based resources and services.
- Working knowledge of departmental policies and procedures, services, and programs.
- Working knowledge of Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) standards and federal regulations.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications and all other computer systems and programs needed to perform the job.
- 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 but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.
General Information
Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:
- Grant-funded Full-time | 40 hours per week
- Monday - Friday
- To include late night and weekend hours.
- $55,993.60 - $75,275.20 Annually
- Depends on Qualifications
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.
HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.
The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:
Health & Wellness Benefits
- Medical Coverage
- Dental Coverage
- Vision Coverage
- Wellness Plan
- Life Insurance
- Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
- Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
- Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
- One (1) floating holiday per year
- Paid Parental Leave*
- Sick Leave
Retirement Savings Benefit
- 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions:
- Professional learning & development opportunities
- Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)
- Flexible work schedule*
- METRO RideSponsor Program*
- Participation may vary by County department. The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas.
In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.
For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website:
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