Juvenile Probation Officer Assistant (Tracking)

Are you looking for career opportunities that provide top-notch benefits including paid vacation and sick leave, parental leave, outstanding health, vision, and dental insurance, an on-site health clinic for you and your dependents, a generous retirement plan, and much more? Then bring your talents to Travis County!

Assists in providing supervision and counseling to juvenile clients positioned at various stages within the juvenile justice system. Assists in supervising and monitoring all aspects of client's case related to conditions of probation, including visits with client's family and other significant contacts. Assists in conducting initial and subsequent interviews with clients to assist in sentencing, explains conditions of probation, and assists clients in meeting terms of probation. Documents client behavior for use within the juvenile justice system.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This is the first in a series of five juvenile probation-related job classifications within the Court Services job family. This classification assists in providing supervision to clients who are within various phases of the juvenile justice system. This classification performs duties of the most routine nature and type and typically performs duties in training together with a higher-level staff member. This classification may require work in secure facilities. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
• Transports clients to other facilities, as required.
• May conduct urinalysis, request and execute warrants, obtain consents and other required paperwork.
• Assures client's understanding of obligations with respect to conditions of the court's order and monitors compliance with the terms and conditions of probation. Addresses violations of court orders by taking appropriate action. Assists in coordinating case management with representatives of criminal justice and social service agencies.
• May assist in providing individual and crisis intervention counseling, as required.
• Assists in preparing written assessments and recommendations to the court concerning alternative forms of sentencing, treatment, custody release, suspension of sentence, release into treatment facilities, out-of-custody probation supervision, and compliance and progress during probation.
• Assists clients with various referrals, including, but not limited to, counseling, treatment and job referrals. Verifies attendance and completion of alcohol, drug, mental health counseling and any other court ordered programs.
• May assist in developing client placement plans, including completing placement applications, purchasing clothing, obtaining medical and psychological reports and maintaining contact with clients in placement.
• Maintains client files and records consistent with laws and policies.
• Assists in supervising and monitoring juveniles on probation through regular home, school and office visits and other needed contacts. Determines the needs of the client and family and assists in developing supervision plans for clients.
• Assists in conducting investigations on the background of each case, which includes interviewing clients, their families and other significant contacts. Reviews documentation, such as police reports, court transcripts and criminal records and makes assessments regarding the nature of the individual's environmental, employment, financial or domestic difficulties as they apply to the case. Assists in making recommendations for sentencing and disposition of probationer and preparing probation plans.

Education and Experience:
Associate's degree in Criminal Justice, Social or Behavioral Sciences or a directly related field AND one (1) year experience in social services, criminal justice or related field;

OR,

Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
Must be at least 21 years of age.
Certification as a Juvenile Supervision Officer or eligible for certification within six (6) months of date of hire, including successful completion of Cardio-pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification, First Aid and Handle with Care (state approved physical restraint technique).
Valid Texas Driver's License.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages.
• Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations, guidelines and applicable juvenile justice system standards and procedures.
• May be required to develop knowledge of and adhere to federal and state laws requiring the confidential handling of certain health information.
• Standard practices in area of assignment.
• Policies, practices, procedures and legal terminology related to court system.
• Psychological concepts of good behavior, social adjustment and emotional stability.
• Physical restraint techniques to control aggressive behavior.
• Standard counseling techniques.
• Safety and security techniques and standards.

• Monitoring and responding to client behavior.
• Both verbal and written communication.
• Interviewing clients.
• Problem-solving and decision-making.

• Manage time well, perform multiple tasks and organize diverse activities.
• Deal effectively with mentally disturbed, hostile and aggressive individuals.
• Perform in a stressful environment while maintaining a professional manner.
• Work effectively and courteously under stressful circumstances.
• Work efficiently both independently and as part of a team.
• Gather, analyze and evaluate facts to conduct investigations and report results clearly, accurately and impartially.
• Reason and make judgments and decisions.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, representatives of outside agencies, other County employees and officials, representatives of the juvenile justice system and the general public.

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 50-100 pounds, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and basic office equipment. Subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, balancing, repetitive motion, and squatting to perform the essential functions. Subject to contact with communicable diseases, radiation, hazardous waste, human fecal matter and foul odors. Subject to client and customer contact for extended periods of time.

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.

Work Hours: 8 AM - 5 PM; Monday through Friday.

Location: 2515 S. Congress Ave. Austin, TX 78744.

Department: Juvenile Probation

Criminal Background Check, Physical Exam, Drug Test, Alcohol Test, Psychological Test, Education, and Employment history check required.