Juvenile Probation Officer

JOB TITLE

JUVENILE PROBATION OFFICER

Justice Services

Director, Bonner County Justice Services

Hourly

Eligible

07/2022

Performs a variety of working‑level professional duties as needed to manage a juvenile probation caseload. Provides Court‑ordered supervision (minimal through intense) for adolescent clients adjudicated on or found guilty of criminal offenses. Responsible for programming, testing, and certifying two‑way radios for Detention and Probation. Responsible for tracking inventory and performing minor maintenance and repair of two‑way radios and equipment. Incumbent performs work that involves a wide variety of work situations with a moderate degree of complexity.

Incumbent typically works under specific and definite directions and well‑known procedures. Work requires the exercise of initiative, independent judgment, and discretion insofar as the incumbent applies standards and procedures to variable situations. Incumbent regularly interacts with supervisors while receiving periodic supervision. Communicates with others both inside and outside the organization, primarily with other law‑enforcement employees, courts, and other agencies as well as heavy communication with clients and their families.

Impact may be significant to juveniles and their families as incumbent makes recommendations that may result in detention, continued probation or other legal ramifications to the juvenile which may also result in liability for the County in cases of error. Work is typically performed indoors but may involve intermittent exposure to weather and dangerous conditions while engaged and in contact with juveniles.

Travel is regular, not typically extending beyond the County.

• Performs various preliminary and ongoing case management functions to provide probation services for juvenile offenders;
• Conducts detailed investigations relating to Court‑ordered client social histories including the following:
  • Previous criminal history
  • Client physical environment
  • In‑depth family environment (physical/emotional)
  • Chronological history
  • Peer relationships
  • Education
  • Drug/alcohol history
  • Mental health issues, etc.
• Provides the Court with appropriate sentencing recommendations using information from the social history, focusing on the State's Juvenile Justice "Balanced Approach" theme of "community protection, accountability, and competency development";
• Offers in‑court recommendations for sentencing that may range from community‑based sanctions to out‑of‑home placement;
• Conducts investigations and reports to the Court where the Prosecutor has requested that the Court waive jurisdiction of the juvenile to allow prosecution as an adult;
• Possesses a working knowledge of issues and systems surrounding juveniles and families to determine the direction of referrals to relevant agencies;
• Issues affidavits and warrants for clients who violate probation terms and conditions;
• Attends and may testify as an expert witness in appropriate Court proceedings, including but not limited to sentencing, revocation, order‑to‑show‑cause hearings, disposition hearings, and conditional release hearings;
• Meets with clients and their parents, guardians, or custodians and instructs them in probation regulations, obligations, and practices, assists clients and families in completing forms, determines risk and supervision factors (maximum vs. minimum), and completes appropriate documentation, including forms to secure drug/alcohol funding;
• Performs observed drug‑testing of clients to ensure compliance with probation conditions, receiving education and training on safe handling of urine and exposure to blood‑borne diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis;
• Performs a variety of field projects to determine client compliance with probation terms and conditions, including but not limited to visits to the client’s home, employment, and schools; conducts and assists law enforcement with legal searches involving those areas within the client’s control or possession.