Juvenile Probation Department - Intake - Probation Officer III

Minimum Qualifications

Acceptable Experience and Education

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and one (1) year work experience in related agency work dealing with young people, law enforcement, or related area preferred. Case management experience is preferred.

Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred.

Certificates, Licenses, and other requirements

In order to access into the County’s network and systems, a personal mobile smart device is required by the hire start date.

Must have telephone and report residence.

Must be at least 21 years of age.

Must have a telephone and report residence.

Must complywith allTexasJuvenileJustice Department(TJJD)JuvenileProbation Officercertification training requirements, including becoming certified in Handle with Care (HWC) or any other restraint technique adopted by the Department.

TheProbationOfficermustfulfilltherequirementsoftheTexasJuvenileJusticeDepartmentCodeofEthics.

Must have or obtain by date of hire a valid driver's license applicable to job responsibilities, with a driving record acceptable to the County of El Paso.

Proof of automobile liability insurance coverage is required.

Minimum Requirements: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of: Departmental policies and procedures, TJJD standards, the Texas Penal Code, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure 61.02, and Texas Family Code in order to explain detention/probation/court orders and conditions to youths and family members; community providers and resources; case management practices; support service programs and eligibility requirements; mediation and behavior modification techniques; graduated sanctions; issues affecting maladjusted youth; social services delivery network; of TJJD and residential placement facilities;juvenile law, Texas Juvenile Justice Code, and Texas Family Code; English usage, grammar, punctuation and spelling; techniques for effective interpersonal communications; modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment to include Windows and Microsoft based products.

Skill/Ability to: work more than 40 hours during the work week, if required and must be able to travel by land or air to fulfill duties and responsibilities; must be able to telework; possess excellent communication skills in order to explain to youths and family members the conditions of supervision and consequences of failure to comply as well as maintain frequent communication with co-workers, other County employees, government agencies, law enforcement, outside organizations, and the general public; communicate clearly and precisely verbally and in writing with all levels of individuals to include families, maladjusted youth and the Juvenile Court; possess a high degree of responsibility coupled with a strong interest in young people; provide training regarding programming, departmental policies, procedures, court proceedings as well as TJJD standards; work positively and effectively with all types of children including severely maladjusted children and their families; learn the deviant forms of behavior in youths and handle such behavior as constructively as possible; use moderate discretion and possess the initiative to complete work assignments with little oversight; possess sound decision making skills foster and maintain working relationships with contracted and community providers to create opportunities for youth to be successful; use word processing software and other computer applications utilized by the department; communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing; communicate effectively with hostile, abusive or irrational individuals; high degree of maturity coupled with strong interest in young people and an ability to accept and work with all types of children; must be able to work positively and effectively with severely maladjusted children; ability and willingness to learn the deviant forms of behavior in youths and handle such behavior as constructively as possible; obtain and organize information; operate a personal computer and basic office equipment; establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, department employees, outside organizations, attorneys and the general public; work closely with court officials and local law enforcement on cases; manage time effectively; interpret legal statutes; analyze reports and create strategic and tactical plans; complete the department’s pre-employment requirements; pass a Criminal Background Check.

Each and every position requires the following professional skills and abilities as key and necessary elements of performance:

Demonstrate regular and reliable attendance;

Work well with others and participate fully in a team-oriented environment;

Interface with other employees and customers in a courteous and respectful manner;

Maintain strict confidentiality;

Project positive support of their department and all county organizations at all times; and,

Maintain and enhance the Department’s commitment to customer service excellence.

Physical Demands

Whileworkingintheoffice,theincumbent will sit forlongperiodsoftimeinfrontofacomputer terminal using a keyboard and mouse,requiringhand and finger dexterity, theabilitytosee wellenough toread documentsand computer screens, lifting or carrying up to 30 pounds.

Typical Duties

EssentialDuties

Supervises and monitorsallyouthsassigned to caseload according to risk level;

Performs home visits, phone calls, and case management for youths according to the guidelines oftheJuvenileCourt and/or Deferred Prosecution program;

Manages pre-adjudicated cases, collects and reports collateral information through interviews with family members, school, medical, and police reports;

Performs temporary duty assignments and cross-training;

MakesrecommendationtotheJuvenileCourtontreatmentplansfortheyouth;

Testifies on new adjudicated cases, modifications, reviews by court, detention hearings, and admonishment hearings; is available duringPre-TrialHearingsforyouthsoncaseload;

Maintains current training in compliance with Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) and Abuse Neglect and Exploitation (ANE) /Prison Rape Elimination Aact (PREA) certifications, attends trainings for officer safety, cyber-security, suicide prevention, civil rights, sexual harassment, CPR/First Aid, and other required training;

Prepares and documents information pertaining to youths assigned to caseload;

Documents family demographics, daily activities, information required by the court, and interview information;

Prepares thePre-DispositionReportonyouthsforpresentationtotheJuvenileCourtduringthe disposition of the case;

Assists with training new employees, coordinates with law enforcement agencies as needed, and coordinates tasks with interns for the completion of daily duties;

Must perform and comply with all duties and responsibilities listed below under the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) 341 as a certified juvenile probation officers:

(1) Recommending a disposition in formal court proceedings;

(2) Providing final approval of written social history reports;

(3) Acting as the primary supervising officer for court-ordered and deferred prosecution cases;

(4) Acting as the primary supervising officer in a collaborative supervision agreement under Family Code §51.075;

(5) Developing and implementing case plans in accordance with Subchapter E of this chapter;

(6) Conducting intake interviews and preliminary investigations and making release decisions under Family Code §53.01 unless another staff member is designated to do so by the juvenile board;

(7) Taking a child into custody as authorized by Family Code §§52.01(a) (4), 52.01(a) (6), or 52.015;

(8) Serving as the designated inter-county transfer officer and performing the duties required by Family Code §51.072;

(9) Referring a child to a local mental health or mental retardation authority as required by Family Code §54.0408; and

(10) Providing to the juvenile and to the juvenile's parent, guardian, or custodian a written explanation of the process of sealing juvenile records and a copy of Family Code Chapter 58, Subchapter C-1.

JPO III will be rotated between Intake and Probation Services based on operational need and/or for professional development to meet organizational needs.

Depending on Area Assigned

Intake

Receives referrals from law enforcement agencies within El Paso County and ensures that all paperwork is properly completed in compliance with departmental and Court standards as well as within Title 3 standards of the Texas Family Code;

Completes preliminary investigation to include establishing probable cause, completing a risk and needs assessments and parental interview supporting recommendation on youth’s conditional release, detention, referral to deferred prosecution or formal court proceedings;

Obtains case file background and restricted information pertaining to youths or family members as per policy;

Handles confidential, sensitive, and/or restricted information pertaining to youths or families;OtherImportantDuties

Performs such other related duties as may be assigned.

Maintains a safe and healthy work place environment.

Must be available to work non-traditional hours and be on call as necessary on official business.

As members of the County of El Paso Emergency Response System, all El Paso County employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers during a proclaimed emergency and may be required to train on emergency response and/or perform certain emergency services at the direction of their supervisor.

Job Summary

The Juvenile Probation Officer III (JPO III) oversees the intake, supervision and case management of youths referred to the department and/or subsequently, placed in diversionary programming or level III supervised probation. Juvenile Probation Officer III is responsible for the processing of youths referred to the department, manages pre-adjudicated cases and youth in deferred prosecution programs; monitors the progress of youths assigned to their case load through home visits, school visits, and regular communication with guardians, parents, and team members; performs investigations into youth’s history and enters information into reports with recommendations to the Juvenile Court; oversees actions of youths placed on home detention.

Additional Information

Organizational Relationships

Reports to:Director of Intake or Director of Juvenile Probation Services, as assigned by the Chief Juvenile Probation Officer

Directs:This is a non-supervisory position

Other:Has contact with other department employees, law enforcement, child protection agencies, school personnel, service providers, court personnel, public agencies, youths, and family members.

Work Environment

Office environment - while performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Field Environment - while performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to visit homes of youth located in in high crime areas and with a population prone to delinquent and criminal acts. This may entail extensive walking on different levels of terrain, as well as, climbing stairs. This requires the employee to be out in the physical elements of weather, including possible prolonged exposure to the sun, rain, etc. In addition, the position requires the transport of youth via vehicle, train or airplane to appointments and/or placement.

The above is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by this position. The statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of personnel so classified.