Department: Office of Juvenile Officer

County or State funded: County

Exempt of Non-exempt: Non-exempt

Paygrade: C-109

Salary pay range: $20.79 - $25.98 hourly

Work schedule: overnight and weekend hours

Basic Function and Responsibility:

To screen, assess, and develop recommendations for the placement and rehabilitation needs of youth and families during the initial stage of their Court involvement and to develop treatment plans and make recommendations to the judiciary for disposition on delinquency and non-delinquency matters.  Prepare and maintain written documentation and reports; work with agency partners regarding treatment or service needs; attend court and testify regarding recommendations; effectively communicate with youth and their families; attend meetings and trainings.

Appointing Authority and Supervision Received: 

The chief juvenile officer is the appointing authority.  Deputy juvenile officers assigned to the Screening Unit receive direct supervision by the case assessment unit coordinator.  Other deputy juvenile officers receive direct supervision by the case assessment unit 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.)

• Implement Court policy, and operational rules and procedures.
• Assess and determine the rehabilitative needs of youth and families through various methods, such as personal interviews, case history investigation and review of various records such as mental health or school, results of psychological and psychiatric tests and evaluations and consultation with professional sources.
• Maintain regular and frequent contact with youth and parents/guardians to provide supervision, and to monitor behavior and compliance with court orders.
• Meet with youth and families referred for informal adjustment and determine rehabilitative needs and make recommendations and referrals for appropriate services to meet those needs.

• Assess amenability to and appropriate treatment for youth scheduled for a certification hearing.
• Compile, organize, and update case history files for accurate representation of youth and family background, behavior and other relevant information.
• Write and submit social investigation and assessment reports, progress reports, detention recommendations, and certification reports sufficiently in advance of court hearings for the parties to adequately prepare for the hearing.
• Consult with school officials, and other community service providers regarding youth at risk of engaging in problematic behavior and obtain relevant records.
• Monitor youth placed in non-court institutions to ensure appropriate care, treatment and services.
• Attend and participate in various work-related meetings and trainings.
• Attend Court, testify and make recommendations regarding youth’s placement and rehabilitative needs.
• Compile and submit all paperwork relevant to initial screening and intake of youth, attend interrogations of youth by law enforcement personnel and inform youth of their rights.
• Make determinations for recommendations regarding detainment or release of youth.
• Screen youth presented to detention to determine placement recommendations utilizing applicable screening forms and advise youth and parents/guardians of placement determination.

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 best practices in assessment of, and treatment modalities for, youth at risk of engaging in problematic behaviors.
• Knowledge of adolescent behavior.
• Ability to supervise, inspire, motivate, and counsel adolescents with behavioral problems, and their families.
• Ability to formulate and implement appropriate treatment plans.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing, in a tactful and courteous manner with diverse parties, and to prepare clear, accurate, complete, and logical reports.
• Ability to project a positive role model, and to organize and prioritize responsibilities.
• Ability to operate a vehicle in a safe and prudent manner.
• Ability to work and relate in a positive fashion toward individuals from diverse backgrounds, and to establish and maintain effective working relationships within the Juvenile Office, and with other Juvenile Offices, agency partners, community stakeholders, the community and court administration.
• Skill in the operation of standard office equipment, i.e. computer, telephone, copier/fax, printer, etc.
• Skill in the operation of word processing and spreadsheet applications.

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.)

Associates degree in a behavioral/social science, criminal justice, or other directly related field and one year of work experience in the same or closely related field working with youth at risk of engaging in problematic behavior 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 have valid driver’s license from state of residence and provide proof of such.

Must have auto liability insurance, and properly licensed/reliable vehicle, and provide proof of such.

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