Juvenile Probation Officer - Intake - Juvenile Probation Officer Level Iii

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. The JPO III is responsible for processing youths referred to the department, manages pre-adjudicated cases and youth in deferred prosecution programs; monitors the progress of youths assigned to their caseload through home visits, school visits, and regular communication with guardians, parents, and team members;

performs investigations into youths’ history and enters information into reports with recommendations to the Juvenile Court; oversees actions of youths placed on home detention.

• Recommending a disposition in formal court proceedings;
• Providing final approval of written social history reports;
• Acting as the primary supervising officer for court-ordered and deferred prosecution cases;
• Acting as the primary supervising officer in a collaborative supervision agreement under Family Code 51.075;
• Developing and implementing case plans in accordance with Subchapter E of this chapter;
• 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;
• Taking a child into custody as authorized by Family Code 52.01(a)(4), 52.01(a)(6), or 52.015;
• Serving as the designated inter-county transfer officer and performing the duties required by Family Code 51.072;
• Referring a child to a local mental health or mental retardation authority as required by Family Code 54.0408;
• 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.

• 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.

Knowledge of departmental policies and procedures, TJJD standards, the Texas Penal Code, Texas Code of Criminal Procedure 61.02, and Texas Family Code to explain detention/probation/court orders and conditions to youths and family members; case management practices; support service programs and eligibility requirements; mediation and behavior modification techniques; and related TJJD and residential placement concepts. Skills/abilities include: ability to work more than 40 hours per week if required and travel as needed;

ability to telework; excellent communication skills to explain conditions of supervision and maintain contact with co-workers, government agencies, law enforcement, and the public; proficiency in word processing and Windows/Microsoft applications; and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders. Also, the ability to learn deviant behaviors in youths and handle them constructively; make sound decisions, manage time effectively, and pass a criminal background check.

Office environment with occasional field duties, requiring prolonged computer use and the ability to lift or carry up to 30 pounds.

Office and field environments; travel to youths’ homes and coordination with law enforcement may be required, including exposure to outside weather conditions and high-crime areas. The position may require transporting youths by vehicle, train, or airplane to appointments or placements.