Juvenile Probation Officer

Position Description

About Harris County Juvenile Probation Department (HCJPD):
Harris County Juvenile Probation Department (HCJPD) is the third‑largest juvenile justice agency in the country and the second‑largest department in Harris County, employing over 1,200 professionals dedicated to youth justice transformation and reform. HCJPD is committed to improving outcomes for youth, reducing racial disproportionality, and ensuring a safe environment for both staff and residents. We continuously innovate by implementing systemic changes to lower detention populations and promote positive youth development.

The Juvenile Probation Officer provides effective services and supervision to youth in order to reduce their juvenile justice involvement and link them to community‑based programs. The Juvenile Probation Officer works in collaboration with designated community providers to deliver therapeutic support and services to youth and families. The primary objective is to minimize the youth’s involvement in the juvenile justice system through comprehensive, coordinated community‑based services that address identified risk factors and needs.

• Serves as a casework coach, counselor, and broker of services for youth and family. Knows community partners and utilizes community‑based services for youth.
• Collaborates with youth and family to develop strength‑based case plans.
• Fosters family engagement by involving the family in decision‑making opportunities, educational workshops, and organized family events.
• Helps develop skills that will help youth to be a productive member of their community by providing programs designed to reduce recidivism, enhance self‑esteem and social skills, increase academic performance, job skills, and improve mental and physical well‑being.
• Partners with the youth and family to identify and respond to service needs by maintaining regular contact with the youth and family and conducting post‑court interviews, home visits, office visits, and visits in the community.
• Staff cases with service providers, community partners, supervisors, and any appropriate party to triage and discuss continuum of care for youth. Maintains contact with other departmental personnel and placement facilities as required.
• Communicates, transmits, and receives information effectively in both written and oral form and maintains accurate and timely data entries.

All applicants must register and pass the HCJPD Standard Basic Spelling & Grammar assessment with a minimum score of 80%.

• Bachelor’s degree conferred by a college or university accredited by an organization recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and either:
  
  • One (1) year of graduate study at an accredited college or university (18 completed post‑graduate hours) in Criminology, Corrections, Counseling, Law, Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, or other closely related field.
• OR
  
  • At least 1,500 hours of paid or non‑paid experience in a social service, community, corrections, or juvenile agency that deals with offenders or disadvantaged persons. These hours must have been earned within twelve (12) months, which do not have to be consecutive months.

• Working knowledge of Youth Diversion and Development departmental policies, procedures and guidelines.
• Knowledge of casework standards in accordance with the Texas Juvenile Justice Department.
• Knowledge of computer programs required to perform job.
• Knowledge of community resources and program development.
• Demonstrates good decision making skills and sustains a high level of judgment.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain an active certification as a Juvenile Probation Officer in accordance with TJJD requirements.
• Must be 21 years of age.

• Must possess a valid driver’s license and have available transportation for use on the job with a vehicle insured to comply with the liability limits required by statute.

• Upon receiving a conditional job offer, all applicants must undergo a criminal background check and drug screening.
• All applicants must provide evidence of a…