Juvenile Probation Officer - Intake

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 Intake and Court Services Division serves as the primary point of contact for young people and their families referred to the department. Our mission is to provide families with information and support while offering intervention services that address both immediate concerns and long-term needs. Staff members conduct interviews, assessments, coordinate services, and connect families with community resources to support their needs.

In addition, the division is responsible for producing detailed court reports that summarize each young person’s history, needs, risks, and recommended services. These reports play a key role in helping juvenile court judges make informed, appropriate, and individualized decisions regarding case outcomes.

The Intake Juvenile Probation Officer (JPO) is a critical member of a 24-hour Intake Screening Unit, responsible for reviewing referrals from law enforcement involving youth ages 10 to 17 who are alleged to have committed Class B misdemeanors or higher. This role ensures each case is handled in accordance with statutory guidelines while balancing public safety and the individual needs of the youth and their families.

The Intake JPO facilitates key intake processes, including admission and release decisions and detention hearing procedures, for juveniles referred to and admitted to the Harris County Juvenile Justice Detention Center. The officer conducts interviews, gathers social history information, and completes validated risk and needs assessments to inform recommendations on detention or release.

This position is designated as essential and requires in-person attendance as needed to support continuous, 24-hour operations.

• Screens, accepts and releases juveniles placed in detention by law enforcement, probation officers, judges or other authorized entities.
• Completes all aspects of case file management, including interviews (office and telephone), administering assessment tools, submitting court reports, initiating referrals to community-based resources, documentation and data entry of services and activities, and all other tasks needed for each case.
• Provides supervision and case file management requirements for Intake level assigned cases.
• Provides information on community-based organizations for walk-ins and telephone inquiries from the public.
• Transports juveniles to their homes, shelters, bus stations, or airports as required.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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Qualifying applicants must complete 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:

• (A) One 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

• (B) At least 1500 hours of paid or non-paid experience working in a social service, community, corrections, or juvenile agency that deals with offenders or disadvantaged persons. These hours must have been earned within 12 months, which do not have to be consecutive months.

• Must possess a valid driver’s license and have available transportation for use on the job with vehicle insured to…