Youth Service Officer

Position Summary

The Youth Services Officer is responsible for supporting the Sevier County Juvenile Court System by supervising juveniles placed on probation, assisting with at-risk youth referred by schools or families, and coordinating interventions that support rehabilitation and prevent further court involvement. The primary areas of responsibility include case management, juvenile intake assessments, crisis intervention, family counseling, coordination of specialized court programs such as truancy court and foster care reviews, and ongoing collaboration with law enforcement, school personnel, and social service agencies. This position requires regular court attendance, after-hours availability, and direct support to the Juvenile Court Judge(s) through timely case updates and recommendations. Job performance for this position will be evaluated by the Director of Youth Services based on the quality and timeliness of case management, understanding of juvenile justice procedures, ability to respond to crisis situations, use of available community resources, and effectiveness in working with youth, families, and multidisciplinary partners.

Essential Duties

• Conducts intake duties by receiving and reviewing complaints or allegations of delinquency or unruly behavior and determining whether to initiate legal action or court proceedings.
• Supervises juveniles placed on probation to ensure compliance with all court-ordered conditions and behavioral stipulations.
• Maintains complete and confidential case files, records, and related documentation for all juveniles assigned to their caseload.
• Confers regularly with the Juvenile Court Judge(s) to provide case updates and make informed recommendations regarding juvenile status, treatment needs, and court actions.
• Prepares reports and makes formal recommendations to the Court based on investigations, interviews, and direct observation of juveniles and families.
• Attends juvenile court hearings and proceedings, advises youth of their rights and charges, and prepares court notes, petitions, and court orders as needed.
• Coordinates with law enforcement, school officials, social service agencies, mental health providers, and other professionals to assess needs and implement services for juveniles and their families.
• Participates in multidisciplinary teams and boards such as the Foster Care Review Board, Child Abuse Review Team, and Child Protective Investigative Team.
• Intervenes in crisis situations involving juveniles and/or their families to promote de-escalation and identify appropriate support or services.
• Assists juveniles experiencing difficulties in school or at home by referring them to appropriate community agencies and providing follow-up support.
• Determines whether juveniles should be held in custody or released and establishes terms of release in consultation with judicial and law enforcement personnel.
• Prepares and submits reports required for the State Supplement Grant and other state reimbursement accounts in accordance with agency guidelines.
• Assists with pulling court dockets, distributing cases among Youth Services Officers, and processing or docketing new petitions and legal filings.
• Attends required annual training sessions in accordance with Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth (TCCY) standards to maintain certification and professional competence.
• Counsels juveniles and their parents/guardians to identify problems, reduce destructive behavior, and encourage progress toward rehabilitation goals.
• Performs duties related to the treatment and supervision of juveniles on their caseload, including home visits, school visits, and follow-up assessments.
• Responds to crisis situations involving juveniles after regular business hours, as required.
• Performs other incidental and related duties as required and assigned.

Position Qualifications

Required:

• Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Possession of a valid Tennessee Driver’s License and the ability to obtain insurance at standard vehicle liability rates.
• Ability to pass a physical and drug screen administered through a licensed physician.
• Must pass a criminal background check prior to employment.
• Must complete forty (40) hours of training during the first year of employment in accordance with the Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth (TCCY) guidelines.
• Must successfully complete a minimum of fifteen (15) hours of TCCY-approved training annually after the first year
• Must maintain active certification in Juvenile Justice Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (JJ CANS 2.0) assessment training on an annual basis.
• No convictions, guilty pleas, or pleas of nolo contendere to any felony or to violations of laws involving violence, dishonesty, controlled substances, or offenses involving minors.

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Services, Criminal Justice, Psychology, or a related field from an accredited four-year college or university.
• Experience working within the juvenile court system and/or school systems.
• Experience collaborating with law enforcement, social service agencies, and community-based support providers.

Supplemental Information

SUPERVISORY REQUIREMENTS
This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

COMPETENCIES

• Thorough knowledge of state and federal laws pertaining to juvenile justice, including offenses, custody, probation, confidentiality, emancipation, and incarceration.
• Knowledge of local school system policies and procedures related to student discipline, suspension, and behavioral interventions.
• Thorough knowledge of treatment options and community resources available for juveniles and their families, including services for mental health, substance use, and family dynamics.
• Knowledge of contemporary counseling strategies for youth and families and the ability to apply them effectively.
• Knowledge of mediation, de-escalation, and crisis intervention techniques used with dysfunctional families or youth exhibiting deviant behavior.
• Skill in the use of conflict resolution, negotiation, and communication strategies to defuse tense or emotional situations.
• Ability to conduct comprehensive assessments for each adolescent and family case to evaluate behavioral, emotional, and environmental factors and make informed, evidence-based recommendations regarding appropriate programming, treatment, and court interventions.
• Ability to manage a large caseload while maintaining accurate and confidential case documentation that meets state, federal, and departmental compliance standards.
• Ability to prepare reports, court documents, and other written materials with accuracy, clarity, and timeliness.
• Ability to successfully intervene and provide crisis responses or referrals to youth and families in need.
• Strong organizational and decision-making skills to ensure completion of assignments in a timely and efficient manner.
• Ability to counsel, guide, and support troubled youth and families from a wide variety of backgrounds.
• Ability to interact effectively and professionally with law enforcement, judicial personnel, school staff, social service providers, local officials, and the public.
• Ability to utilize standard office equipment and proprietary case management software, as well as word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications.
• Demonstrated capability to handle multiple responsibilities and prioritize work effectively under pressure.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally, both orally and in writing, and to convey information in a persuasive and empathetic manner.
• Ability to maintain professionalism, objectivity, and confidentiality when handling sensitive cases.
• Demonstrated ethical judgment, accountability, and commitment to upholding the mission and values of Sevier County Government.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team to support court operations and youth service programs.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and training in accordance with Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth (TCCY) and agency standards.

• This is a light to medium work position requiring the exertion of up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 10 pounds frequently, and a moderate level of stamina and physical effort.
• Work requires flexibility, mobility, and speed of limb movement, as well as periods of bending, stooping, kneeling, walking, and balancing.
• Work involves both gross body equilibrium and coordination, along with arm/hand steadiness, manual dexterity, and finger precision.
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
• Hearing is required to perceive verbal information in both quiet and noisy environments and to determine the direction of sounds.
• Visual acuity is required to inspect small parts or defects, operate office equipment, distinguish colors, and assess general surroundings and activities.

• Operates in a professional office, courtroom, school, and community environment with moderate noise, requiring routine use of standard office equipment including computers, phones, printers, and related technology.
• Frequent work in the field is required, including home visits, school visits, courthouse attendance, and participation in community-based meetings and events, some of which may occur outdoors or in variable environmental conditions.
• General hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM; extended hours, including evenings, weekends, and after-hours crisis response, may be required; travel within the county is frequent and reliable transportation is required.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of the activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional duties as assigned. Management reserves the right to change this job description at any time with or without notice according to business needs.

125 Court Ave

Sevierville, Tennessee, 37862

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance – Quality coverage for you and your family
• County-Paid Life Insurance & Long-Term Disability – Peace of mind at no extra cost
• Retirement Benefits – Automatic enrollment in the TN Consolidated Retirement System upon hire
• Paid Time Off – Vacation time is earned based on length of service, while sick time accrues according to your assigned shift
• Paid Holidays - Enjoy designated paid holidays throughout the year as part of your benefits package
• Wellness Perks – Employees with county medical coverage get access to the Sevier County Wellness Clinic for primary and urgent care, plus covered prescriptions
• Additional Coverage Options – Flexible spending accounts, voluntary life and AD&D, short-term disability, HRA accounts for dental and vision, and more!

Come work with us and enjoy benefits that truly make a difference! Apply today!