Juvenile Probation Officer

* There is an approved $6,000 supplement for this position. This supplement is reviewed each budget year and is not guaranteed.

This position requires a thorough knowledge of juvenile behavior, the Texas Family Code, Title 3 and the Juvenile Probation Commission Standards for Juvenile Probation Officers and mandates the utilization of professional ethics specified in those Standards. The directed mission of the juvenile probation officer is to provide for the care, the protection, and the wholesome morale, and physical development of the juvenile client, to protect the welfare of the community, and to control the commission of unlawful acts by the juvenile client, per Section 51.01 of the Texas Family Code.

The juvenile probation officer must protect the rights of the juvenile client and will treat the client with respect and dignity offering all services and treatment fairly and impartially. The Juvenile Probation Officer position is responsible for the supervision and management of juveniles referred to the Department as described in Title 3 of the Texas Family Code under the guidance and supervision of the Chief Juvenile Probation Officer and other designated employees.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Duties include the following:

• Carry out the orders of the Juvenile Court. Follow all verbal and written policies and procedures legally implemented by the Chief Juvenile Probation Officer for the professional and ethical operation of the Department.
• Participate in ascertaining planning and evaluating preventing, intervention and treatment program needs for the juvenile offenders in Comal County.
• Prepare formal reports for funding purposes and accountability reports to administrative boards including monthly reports to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department.
• Maintain working relationships with other local/state juvenile probation system and related agencies, institutions and personnel who serve and assist the youth including, schools, treatment providers and organizations, law enforcement, corrections and the courts.
• Must maintain Juvenile Probation Officer Certification including a minimum of 80 hours of Texas Juvenile Justice Department approved training each year and to stay informed on relevant new developments and techniques in the criminal justice field.
• Participate in Departmental or community wide conferences, as needed, to discuss juvenile/client issues and concerns to provide relevant and appropriate, information, counsel and guidance.
• To be available for educational presentations for the schools; churches, civic and governmental organizations.
• Subject to rotational 24-hour on-call duty as needed per Departmental Policy.
• To participate in all Comal County Juvenile Court proceedings as needed.
• Attendance is an essential function of the job.

• Referrals: Accept referrals and or acknowledge concerns from parents, law enforcement, victims, schools, and other local and state agencies. Refer cases to law enforcement agencies when appropriate for investigations. Serve as a referral source for the multi-disciplinary needs of the client/family.
• Intake: Conduct a preliminary investigation upon a referral of a juvenile to the Department in accordance with Section 53.01 of the Texas Family Code. Advise the juvenile and the parents of the alleged offense and possible consequences. Compile statistical information from the clients. Ascertain relevant issues surrounding the client and the circumstances of the offense and provide counsel regarding possible options to address those issues.
  
  Staff the case with the Chief Juvenile Probation Officer and/or the prosecuting attorney's office for recommendations for further proceedings.
• Detention: Make a determination whether to detain or release the juvenile offender in accordance with Section 53.02 of the Texas Family Code. If detained per order of the court, arrange for transportation of the juvenile to an appropriate juvenile detention center. Make all arrangements for the initial and subsequent detention hearings in compliance with Section 54.01 of the Texas Family code.
  
  Provide evidence relevant to detention issues to the court through oral and written testimony. Supervise juveniles released from detention on court ordered conditions pending further court proceedings, and notify the Chief Juvenile Probation Officer, the prosecutor and the Court of their non-compliance.
• Pending…