Juvenile Probation Officer

Location and Contact Information

Location: Venice, Sarasota County

Contact Person: Assistant Chief Probation Officer Heather Ferrara (941) 545‑0202

$1,765.01 bi‑weekly. (Internal promotions will be filled at the minimum of the pay grade or up‑to 5% of the current rate, whichever is higher.)

Provide social services to assist in the rehabilitation of juvenile law offenders in custody, probation or parole. Make recommendations for actions such as formulation of rehabilitation plans, treatment of offenders, conditional release, and education and employment stipulations.

Initiate contact with youth, family, victims, and law enforcement when referrals are received. Conduct home and school visits as part of the information gathering process and family‑involved model.

Obtain and review collateral information such as abuse and neglect history, educational, mental health, substance use, gang‑related activity and other pertinent information from other agencies.

Conduct and document FDJJ screenings to identify risk, needs, protective factors and the need for further evaluation, including detention screening, intake screening, suicide risk screening instrument, and any department‑approved risk/needs screening and/or assessment instrument(s).

Formulate case‑management strategies based on assessments and/or information gathered to address specific needs of youth and family.

Make service referrals to appropriate providers and follow up on actions needed.

Make supervision and treatment recommendations to the State Attorney and other judicial partners to provide the most appropriate services in the least intrusive manner.

Complete the screening instruments and reports used by the Department and/or courts, including Detention Screening Risk Assessment (DRAI), Suicide Risk Screening Instrument (SRSI), Department‑approved risk/needs screening/assessment instruments and case plan, Pre‑Post Disposition Report, Adult Sentencing Summary Report, Progress (Status) Report, Electronic Commitment Packet, and Termination of Supervision.

Act as the DJJ representative during court hearings to support the Department’s recommendations for youth, family and community.

Prepare and maintain current social histories, court reports, referral letters and related correspondence.

Testify at hearings when appropriate.

Prepare affidavits/petitions for Violation of Probation for any violation resulting in a delinquency petition.

Request hearings when appropriate.

Complete risk and needs assessments using the department‑approved instrument(s) for all youth screened/supervised by the department.

Conduct face‑to‑face contacts in the home, school and varied community‑based settings, including non‑traditional hours (weekends and evenings) in addition to business hours.

Maintain communication per departmental requirements and gain firsthand knowledge of the youth’s residential and extended environment by meeting at detention centers, schools, homes, out‑of‑home placements, employment sites, community sites, agencies, treatment providers and offices.

Assist youth in obtaining appropriate mental health and substance abuse evaluations and arrange specialized testing and treatment as needed.

Assist youth and family with school and after‑school enrollment; maintain school contact, verify attendance, academic performance, and behavior.

Provide crisis intervention and assist the youth and family in accessing crisis services/resources through referrals and follow‑up.

Work with youth to establish personal goals and provide ongoing support to help achieve and maintain skills.

Discuss projected time frames for achieving goals, sanctions/conditions of supervision and anticipated termination dates based on progress and court orders.

Respond to concerns, needs and risks presented by youth, family, and community, staffing cases, plans or violations with the unit supervisor per departmental policies, procedures, administrative rules, and Florida statutes.

Determine recommended handling of violations and provide appropriate…