Probation Officer: Juvenile

Juvenile Probation Officer

Grand Traverse County is a team of passionate and incredible people who are committed to providing responsive, effective quality service to our up-north community. We strive to be a leader in innovative, effective, collaborative, and sustainable county government. We offer stable work environments and competitive salaries to both full-time and part-time employees. Understanding the many challenges facing today's professionals and families, we offer a competitive compensation package including an impressive list of benefits and time off.

The primary function of this position is to monitor juveniles under court jurisdiction that have been placed on probation. This may include but is not limited to monitoring juveniles in their homes, schools, community, or in a placement facility. Case management may include preparing reports, conducting drug tests, attending weekly meetings, and attending court sessions. Case management may include making referrals on behalf of the youth to services in the community as well.

Employees will also be required to prepare and maintain detailed case notes for each youth under court jurisdiction. Employees may be required to supervise intensive juvenile probationers. Employees work as part of a team and are responsible for ensuring that the team meets its objectives.

Employees must meet the minimum requirements and conditions of employment, and be able to successfully perform all essential duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation.

This position may require irregular hours. It may also require travel by the employee in the employee's own vehicle. May be required to work on-call in an emergency. This position is 100% childcare fund reimbursable as the employee works solely with intensive youth.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (may include but are not limited to the following)

• Provides case management of juvenile probation cases, including meeting with individuals and their families regarding probation conditions, school, home, drug testing, specialty courts, community service, counseling, and substance abuse assessment.
• Writes dispositional and review hearing reports, containing necessary information to determine appropriate course of action for juveniles on probation.
• Researches the background of delinquent, abused, and neglected youths and their families to determine appropriate services.
• Administers drug screening on a random basis, and processes reports for the Courts.
• Transports delinquent youth to correctional facilities, when necessary.
• May be required to testify in court proceedings.
• Attends court hearings to obtain final dispositions of youth as handed down by the court.
• Acts as liaison with the community, including the schools, other social and law enforcement agencies, and parents.
• Refers youth to community programs and monitors out-of-home placements for probation compliance, as well as crisis intervention services when appropriate.
• Participates in and collaborates with a variety of committees, professional associations, boards, and/or other related groups.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

EDUCATION, FORMAL TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE (minimum requirements)

• Bachelor's Degree in social work, criminal justice, law enforcement or a related human services field.
• More than 1 year experience working with juveniles.
• Associate degree with four years directly related experience may be substituted for the education requirement if there is demonstrated knowledge, ability, and skill to perform the work.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT (minimum requirements - legal or contractual pre-employment obligations and/or requirements, such as drug testing, background check, etc.)

A background check will be required initially and periodically for an individual hired, transferred, reclassified, promoted, or currently working in this job. Appointment to or continued employment in this job is contingent upon a satisfactory background check which may include but is not limited to: confirmation of a persons' identity; review of criminal conviction records; verification of educational degree, license, or certificate required for the position;

review of Department of Motor Vehicles records;
Department of Justice fingerprint scan; and/or drug and alcohol testing as required and allowable by law. A satisfactory background check is defined as the absence of a criminal history record which bears a demonstrable relationship to the applicant's or employee's suitability to perform the required duties and responsibilities of the position.

May be required to serve in an "on-call" capacity.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Work involves evaluating the relevance and importance of theories, concepts, and principles and developing different approaches or tactical plans to fit specific circumstances. Guidelines may exist but are flexible and open to considerable interpretation requiring independent judgment, personal discretion, and resourcefulness are needed to interpret and apply…