TJJD - Parole Officer III-IV - (San Antonio DO) - 57358

PLEASE NOTE

Your job application must be completely filled out and include all employment, do not limit employment to the past 10-15 years. Your application must contain complete job histories, which include job titles, name of employer, dates of employment (month & year), supervisor’s name and phone number, and a description of duties performed, and whether it was full-time or part-time and hours per week. If any of this information is not provided, your application may be rejected as incomplete. Resumes do not take the place of this required information.

Applicants must be able to pass a Criminal Background Check and any other requirements listed under Minimum Qualifications.

APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED THROUGH WORK IN TEXAS: Work In Texas (WIT) applicants must complete the CAPPS Recruit Prescreening Questionnaire to be considered for the posting. To complete the Prescreening Questionnaire, go to CAPPS Recruit to register or login: https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en

BENEFITS

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Performs parole administration and supervision work. Provides case management and supervision services for youth on parole. Selects an appropriate supervision strategy that addresses criminogenic needs and behavior. Establishes and maintains recurring contact with the youth using Effective Practices in Community Supervision (EPICS) and motivational interviewing skills. Works with the youth to reintegrate successfully into the community and develops a post-discharge plan. Ensures the youth receives appropriate services while on parole, including educational, workforce development, aftercare, and recovery services. Participates in the rehabilitation of youth in residential placements, who are assigned to their caseload at time of admission to the agency. Participates in youth service team meetings via phone and virtual/electronic means, travels to facilities to visit youth, meets with youth’s family to conduct home evaluations and assists in brokering services for them. Responds to crisis; e.g., harm to self or others, or law violations by youths, which may include conducting administrative/revocation hearings, holding youth accountable though Level One, Two and Three Hearings, assigning Electronic Monitoring equipment. Provides required and identified services to youth assigned to their caseload.

Works under general supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Must travel a minimum of sixty percent (75%) of the time. May be required to work in excess of 40 hours per workweek.

Career Ladder Promotion Opportunity: This position is in the approved TJJD career ladder for Parole Officers. Parole Officers receive career ladder salary adjustments upon meeting established eligibility criteria per agency policy (PRS.15.08) until they reach the top level of the ladder. Placement on the career ladder is dependent upon experience and education. Progression to the highest pay level on the career ladder is dependent upon experience and performance.

Levels of Work Performed by Career Ladder Level:

Parole Officer III: Performs highly complex (senior-level) work under general supervision with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Parole Officer IV: Performs advanced (senior-level) work under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Delivers the Texas Model.

Reviews master files to determine the current status of youth; and ensures files are updated, completed and maintained as required by Case Management Standards.

Actively participates in the implementation of Effective Practices in Community Supervision (EPICS) with fidelity to the model.

Models a trauma-informed and culturally competent approach with youth and families.

Actively takes a lead role in the reentry planning process of youth.

Establishes and maintains recurring contact with the youth’s case manager, family/guardian, and community support system to help the youth progress towards successful community re-entry. Completing Post Commitment meeting at local Probation Detention Centers, collaborating with local Probation staff and families to facilitate to meet the youths needs while in TJJD and at the time of Reentry.

Serves as a life coach, advocate, and role model for youth.

Completes home assessments for appropriate youth placement recommendations and to obtain additional information about support systems in the community, these support system contact may be with DFPS, Local Probation Departments and Local MHMR services.

Makes recommendations regarding community placements and financial reentry support. Reentry Service funds, Texas Workforce, TJJD Scholarships.

Mentors youth and assists the youth in learning soft skills to function in the community and build self-reliance in navigating systems within the community.

Assigns supervision based on agency policy, Parole Case Management Standards, and risk to reoffend.

Develops and implements supervision strategies to emphasize addressing criminogenic needs, changing attitudes and behavior rather than solely focusing on compliance.

Conducts Level I / II / III / IV hearing requests and reports according to agency policy and interventions.

Conducts responsible, safe, and timely transportation of youth.

Engages in competency-based training in the techniques and capabilities needed to coach youth under the Texas Model of trauma-informed corrections.

Helps youth to identify their responses to stress, fear, and other triggers and works with the youth to learn ways to increase emotional self-regulation skills.

Gains a basic knowledge of each youth’s treatment plan and provides support in learning the skills needed to meet those goals.

Measures performance, documents parole activities, incidents, and transactions and enters data into the Correctional Care System (CCS).

Actively evaluates and review parole quality assurance measures and outcomes.

Participates in the collection Effective Practices in Community Supervision outcomes.

May be assigned a more complex caseload of parolees.

May serve as an Effective Practice in Community Supervision (EPICS) Peer Coach/Trainer.

Performs a variety of related duties not listed, to be determined and assigned as needed.

Performs all duties in compliance with agency safety policies and procedures:

• Reports safety hazards and corrects hazards when possible.
• Completes required documentation in the event of an accident/injury within requested time frames.

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency attendance and leave policies.

Actively embody and support the Texas Model by demonstrating its core values in daily tasks and interactions with others.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Master’s degree. No experience.

OR

Bachelor’s degree. Two (2) years full-time wage-earning experience in the development, evaluation, and implementation of individual case/treatment plans; assessments; development and coordination of services; placement recommendations and referrals for juveniles or adults on probation, parole, or in a residential, correctional, therapeutic environment; or juvenile or adult correctional officer experience.

Required:

• Possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license for continued employment.
• Must have or be able to obtain a certificate of course completion for the Criminal Justice Practitioner (CJP) online course provided through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) within six months of employment as a parole officer with the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD).

Preferred:

• Major coursework in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Clinical Psychology/Sociology, Guidance and Counseling, Criminal Justice, Family Relations, an Interdisciplinary degree in a Social Science, Rehabilitation or Education.

Experience and Education Substitutions:

• Completed course hours of graduate study may substitute for up to two years of experience on a basis of 12 graduate course hours for one year of experience.
• Pro-rated part-time experience may satisfy the experience requirements.

Note: Any degree, diploma, high school equivalent, or course hours required to meet minimum qualifications must be from an accredited educational institution.

Requirements for Continued Employment:

• Failure to maintain required licensure/certification will result in termination of employment.

This position is subject to mandatory pre-employment drug testing and any offer of employment is contingent upon results from a drug screen conducted for the agency.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

The following physical demands and working conditions are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Analyzing

Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing

Ability to see

Ability to hear (with or without aid)

Operate motor equipment

Identify colors

Depth perception

Ability to perform tactile discernment

Restraining combative youth

Heavy lifting, 45 lbs. & over

Heavy carrying, 45 lbs. & over

Pushing

Pulling

Repeated bending

Reaching above shoulder

Manual/finger dexterity

Dual simultaneous grasping

Walking

Standing

Sitting

Crawling

Twisting

Kneeling

Stooping

Climbing ladders

Climbing stairs

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Criminology and penology principles.

• Risk, Need and Responsivity
• Motivational Interviewing Techniques
• Stages of Change

• The principles, methods, techniques, and practices of parole case management.

Skill in:

• Deductive reasoning.
• The use of office equipment, computers, and applicable software.

Ability to:

• Understand confidentiality and how it relates to juveniles.
• Develop and implement case plans.
• Maintain records and files. Complete entries in a timely manner per policy guidelines.
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Interview, counsel, and motivate youth.
• Solve problems.

• Develop case plans that address criminogenic needs

• Demonstrate the importance of trauma-informed care.
• Interpret and apply rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Maintain a reliable transportation with valid insurance and driver’s license.
• Maintain a good driving record.
• Adapt to change.
• Work effectively with youth.
• Help maintain a safe and secure work environment.
• Physically restrain youth, when necessary, in a manner consistent with instructions received and to transport youth and travel as necessary.
• Investigate allegations of parole violations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Organize and prioritize workload in order to meet deadlines.
• Work under stressful conditions, with possible occurrences of extreme heightened stress.

Travel and work in excess of 40 hours per workweek.