Juvenile Court Officer 1 (D7 112148)

Summary

The Juvenile Court Officer I (JCO I) is an entry-level position under immediate supervision. This position handles selected matters pertaining to youth coming under the purview of Iowa Code Chapter 232, including intake; supervision of youth on informal probation, consent decrees, and formal probation. Conducts and prepares the pre-dispositional investigation and report, case permanency plan, and other reports to the court; detention/shelter placement; supervision of youth in out-of-home placement; youth active through interstate compact; and other duties as outlined in the casework standards. The domicile for this position is the Clinton County Juvenile Court Services office. Domicile may change according to staffing needs throughout the district, which includes Scott, Muscatine, Cedar, Clinton and Jackson counties.

Responsibilities

• Reviews complaints independently and determines a course of action to address risk areas while ensuring public safety. Intake decisions may include diversion, informal adjustment contract, or request for a petition. Creates a case plan following a decision, to initiate programs and/or services to address the youth’s risks and needs.
• Conducts intakes under the authority of Chapter 232 to screen the legal sufficiency of the complaint and youth culpability. Conducts a preliminary inquiry of the complaint involving gathering additional information from law enforcement, witnesses, and child abuse reports.
• Responds in a timely manner to random moment sampling inquiries that are used to determine JCS participation in federal programs.
• Screens all youth under juvenile court services supervision who are at risk of placement or are transitioning from out of home placement to determine eligibility for the federal title IV-E prevention program.
• Communicates with attorneys, families, and providers regarding court procedures and recommendations. Participates in court hearings by providing expert testimony and recommendations. Identifies appropriate interventions and establishes the conditions of probation. Exhibits the ability to articulate concisely written and verbal recommendations pertaining to the youth's care to the court and parties. Advocates for youth and families as they navigate the juvenile justice system.
• Adheres to the Risks/Needs/Responsivity principle to fidelity when working with delinquent youth.
• Supports and employs evidence-based practices in casework, decision-making, and accountability.
• Responds to case related emergency matters and makes the decision to resolve any crisis situation during and outside normal working hours, including consulting with a Judge, JCS Supervisor, JCO III, JCO II, law enforcement, victims of crimes, medical personnel, detention centers, youth shelters, residential facilities, the Iowa Department of Human Services, parents in crisis, community providers, and others. Makes decisions regarding the immediate custody of the youth pursuant to the Iowa Code, and consistent with Detention Screening Tool (DST) protocol.
• 232.87, as necessary.
• 602.7202.
• Exercises the powers of a peace officer while engaged in the discharge of duties, per Iowa Code
• Provides transportation of a youth and/or a family or support system in accordance with established policy.
• Adheres, with immediate supervision, to all Judicial Branch and JCS specific policies and practices including but not limited to: Detention Screening Tool (DST), IDA, EPICS, Families First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA), Treatment Outcome Package (TOP), and Juvenile Sex Offender Recidivism Risk Assessment Tool II (JSORRAT).
• Selects the placement facility that best addresses the need/risk when the court orders a youth to out of home placement. Supervises youth in out-of-home placements such as family foster care, foster group care, another planned living arrangement, and the state training school. Visits each youth in voluntary placement and court ordered foster care on a monthly basis, documents the visit, and ensures the youth’s safety, well-being, and progress on treatment goals. Monitors treatment and education programs to assure adherence to the case plan. Collaborates with family to ensure engagement in the case plan. Prepares for the reintegration of the youth to the community through family engagement, community-based, employment, and education services. Documents progress in the case management system. Screens all youth under supervision who are transitioning from out of home placement to determine eligibility for federal Title IV-E Prevention Program.
• Completes the IDA, under immediate supervision, to determine a youth’s level of risk to re-offend and to guide the determination of appropriate delivery of treatment interventions. The JCO I develops individualized case plans to direct the youth’s treatment. The plan identifies risk factors and increases protective factors, provides the courts and contracted service providers with relevant information on the youth’s progress, to provide aggregate information with respect to the overall needs of youth and the progress youth make as a result of the services provided.
• Files a Child in Need of Assistance petition with the court as described in Iowa Code
• Administers, under immediate supervision, standardized risk assessment tools, such as the Iowa Delinquency Assessment (IDA), to target criminogenic risk and needs.
• Ensures compliance with Iowa Code 232.29 which permits for provision of supervision and services to juveniles through Informal Adjustment Agreement (contract-based probation) for a period not to exceed six months.
• Assist youth and families in identifying areas for improvement to function in the community. Work with the youth and their family to create a plan that will identify, address and monitor risk factors to increase the youth’s safety and reduce the likelihood of reoffending.
• Takes temporary custody of a child to avoid imminent danger to the child’s life or health under the guidance of Iowa Code
• 232.78(1), as necessary.
• Completes home study investigations, provides supervision and makes recommendations on Interstate Compact cases, with immediate supervision.
• Incorporates, under immediate supervision, evidence informed/based practices with all youth under supervision that are identified moderate or high risk as identified by the IDA. Uses Effective Practices in Community Supervision (EPICS) to guide cognitive and behavioral change to reduce risk while reinforcing prosocial actions. Identifies EPICS interventions to consistently target the driver and criminogenic risk areas throughout the duration of the case.
• Represents JCS, in consultation with JCS Supervisor, by collaborating and educating law enforcement, social services agencies, schools, and the public concerning juvenile justice and community safety issues, as necessary. Provides presentations to the community, as necessary.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to effectively use motivational interviewing skills and engage youth and their families.
• Ability to work with diverse populations in a culturally competent manner.
• Ability to work under pressure, prioritize, and exercises sound judgment in both routine and critical situations, while being provided ongoing feedback and support from supervisory staff.
• Ability to collaborate with systems that impact delinquent youth.
• Ability to utilize a strength-based approach when addressing needs for youth under supervision.
• Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to demonstrate a foundational commitment and practice the Risks/Needs/Responsivity principle for working with troubled and delinquent youth.
• Ability to utilize current technology, electronic monitoring bracelets, video conferencing, etc., to enhance work effort, record, and data keeping.
• Knowledge of professional ethics and ability to maintain confidential information.
• Displays high standards of ethical conduct, honesty and integrity, responsibility, and trustworthiness.
• Ability to become knowledgeable of and network with system stakeholders in a collaborative manner.
• Ability to appropriately match supervision and treatment to a youth’s risk level and needs to lower risk of recidivism.
• Ability to demonstrate efficacy of skill building and evidence informed practices.
• Ability to adapt to changing job performance requirements.
• Responds appropriately to supervision. Follows policy and cooperates with supervisors.
• Ability to distinguish criminogenic domains and needs, while providing skill building with youths under supervision.
• Ability to accurately complete risk assessments and use the information to guide casework.
• Knowledge of normal adolescent development and family systems, substance abuse, and mental health conditions.
• Knowledge of Chapter 232, criminal law, and other related laws, including confidentiality, education, juvenile mental health, and juvenile substance abuse.
• Ability to devise prevention case plans and probation contracts under the guidance of supervisory staff.
• Ability to support and employ evidence-based practices in casework, decision-making, and accountability assessment and measurement.
• Ability to conduct themselves and represent JCS in a professional and respectful manner at all times.

This is a non-merit position with the Iowa Judicial Branch. Candidates must follow the instructions in the "To Apply" section.

Positions in this class are exempt from the screening and referral requirements of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services - Human Resources Enterprise.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university in law, criminal justice, criminology, psychology, sociology, education, or related social sciences.

Must successfully complete training requirements set by the Iowa Supreme Court.

Must possess a valid driver’s license.