Probation Specialist

Juvenile Probation Specialist

The mission of the Juvenile Probation Department is to provide care, protection, and mental and physical development of youth, to protect the public interest and safety, and rehabilitate juvenile offenders. A Juvenile Probation Specialist is assigned to investigate, assess, counsel, and supervise juvenile offenders. This is achieved through the development and monitoring of compliance with Probation Rules, an individualized case plan, and individualized programming.

A Juvenile Probation Specialist supervises low, moderate and high-risk youth in the community. A Juvenile Probation Specialist may also fulfill compliance duties, supervising lower risk youth that come through the juvenile court system who may not need the extensive services and supervision provided to other youth on probation. A Juvenile Probation Specialist is a non-exempt, unclassified employee appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Greene County Juvenile Court Judge under Ohio Revised Code Section 2151.13.

Job duties include preparing and completing probation intake paperwork, developing an individualized case plan for juvenile offenders, supervising youth in the community, providing assessments, engaging with youth through evidence-based programming, attending various hearings, collecting urinalysis drug screens, connecting youth to electronic monitoring, planning and overseeing community service activities, supervising out-of-state Interstate Compact cases, providing transportation to youth and families, and keeping apprised of new legislation and programs that impact juvenile justice.

Required knowledge includes understanding of the juvenile justice system, applicable laws, records management, computer software, and workplace policies. Skills include planning, organizing, supervising, evaluating youth, prioritizing tasks, providing excellent customer service, collecting and interpreting data, planning and administering juvenile justice programming, and using initiative and independent judgment.

Minimum requirements include a preferred Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Social Work, Sociology, Corrections, Counseling, or a related field, ability to identify and define problems, establish facts, communicate effectively, react rationally to crisis situations, possess a valid Ohio driver's license, two years of full-time paid work experience, satisfactory completion of professional reference checks, BCI and FBI background checks, confirmation of valid Ohio driver's license, confirmation of degrees, licenses, and certificates, and no prior or current misconduct.

Work conditions include potential for adverse contact with aggressive individuals, exposure to blood-borne pathogens and communicable diseases, and working under time constraints to meet deadlines. Work primarily occurs during regular court hours, but some responsibilities may take place outside of those hours, and Probation Specialists are expected to be on-call for law enforcement and the Director of Probation.