Probation Officer II

Summary

In accordance with the Juvenile Act, JCJC Juvenile Court Standards, and the Juvenile Court’s Balanced and Restorative Justice Mission, the Juvenile Probation Officer II will provide assessment, case planning supervision and support for juvenile offenders who have been referred to the Juvenile Probation Department. The Probation Officer II will be eligible to mentor new probation officers and interns. The Probation Officer II will be eligible for school or other community-based work assignments.

This job requires the following documents to be obtained, reviewed as acceptable by the supervisor and re-obtained every three years: PA Child Abuse, PA Criminal History and FBI Criminal History.

Essential Duties

• Receive and examine complaints and charges of juvenile delinquency to consider the commencement of proceedings under the Juvenile Act.
• Conduct initial interview with juvenile, family, and attorney to review allegations of delinquency and collect family history and background.
• Investigate juvenile's prior criminal history and community and school conduct through collateral contacts with District Justices, police officers and school personnel.
• Utilize available screening and assessment tools to assist in and support recommendations.
• For juveniles placed on informal adjustment, ensure conditions are met within the timeframe set by the Juvenile Court Standards.
• Recommend supervision plan (i.e., consent decree, formal probation, and placement or aftercare services) for juveniles on probation.
• Develop and ensure that supervision plans for the juvenile consider the goals of community protection, competency development, and accountability and address the juvenile’s and family’s strengths and needs.
• Actively participate in treatment teams and assist in the development of treatment goals to help prevent the juvenile's removal from the community.
• Gather information, pertaining to victim impact and restitution, for consideration in the disposition of a case.
• Ensure that DNA data and testing is collected on all youth that have been adjudicated delinquent for the offenses specified in Act 57.
• Arrange transfer of disposition or probation to another jurisdiction if non-residents of the county commit delinquent acts.
• Assist in ensuring juvenile's compliance with court-ordered disposition conditions by making referrals to appropriate agencies, services, and programs, and collect all collateral reports to assist in appropriate planning.
• Ensure the ordering and collection of Victim Restitution
• Assess juvenile's progress towards goals in the program and adjust level of supervision, as needed.
• Conduct thorough home, school, and community visits during supervision of juveniles in accordance with the Juvenile Court Judges Commission Standards.
• Attend court hearings, provide reports, and make recommendations as appropriate to the court.
• Determine the need for pre- and post-adjudicatory detention or alternatives to detention in accordance with the Juvenile Act.
• Maintain detailed and accurate records in the Court Management System.
• Monitor caseload through regular caseload review with supervisor.
• Collaborate, educate, and act as liaison for community resources and initiatives serving juveniles and their families.
• Monitor the collection of court costs, fines, victim compensation fees.
• Attend seminars and training sessions to expand knowledge and keep abreast of changes in the field of probation services and juvenile justice.
• Actively participate and obtain certification in defense tactics/safety training.
• Participate in on-call duty schedule as required.
• Perform case management and/or non-payment collections duties, as required.
• Collect and test urine specimens according to departmental policy.
• Perform all functions designated by the Juvenile Act or by order of the court pursuant to or as directed by the Chief Probation Officer.
• Act as departmental liaisons with local law enforcement personnel
• Eligible to be a school-based probation officer, mentor new probation officers, supervise student interns and serve on county or state level workgroups.
• Perform other duties and special projects, as required

Qualifications/Preferred Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• One year of experience as a juvenile probation officer or 3 years of experience working with juvenile justice involved youth.
• Ability to make firm, unbiased decisions.
• Ability to work as a part of a team.
• Ability to communicate effectively in a clear and appropriate manner.
• Competency in interview methods and techniques applicable to offenders, families, victims, and representatives of other interested agencies.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Exhibits sound and accurate judgement.
• Strong knowledge of the Pennsylvania Juvenile Act, Act 33, Act 57, Act 86, Act 198, Act 215 and Balanced and Restorative Principles.
• Strong knowledge of the Juvenile Act, including secured detention.
• Strong knowledge of safety procedures and protocol.
• Strong knowledge of court procedures and policies.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Must have child abuse clearance.
• Must pass a criminal background check.
• A valid driver’s license and use of a personal vehicle are required.

Preferred Skills, Knowledge & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Criminal Justice or Behavioral and/or Social Sciences.
• Two years of experience as a Juvenile Probation Officer.
• Trained in Motivational Interviewing
• Ability to handle and resolve problems.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to produce accurate, thorough, and timely work.
• General knowledge and understanding of County of Chester policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of safety procedures and protocol.
• Knowledge of court procedures and policies.
• General understanding of the Pennsylvania Juvenile Act, Juvenile Court Procedural Rules, and Victim Bill of Rights.
• Knowledge of juvenile law, standards, regulations, policies, and procedures of the juvenile court system.
• Knowledge of individual and group behavior with special emphasis on behavior deviations of persons who have been involved in delinquent activities.
• Knowledge of probation principles, methods, investigation practices, client supervision and reporting.
• Knowledge of interview methods and techniques applicable to offenders, families, victims, and representatives of other interested agencies.

Additional Information

Relevant background checks, clearances, physicals, drug tests, and any other assessments or evaluations will be conducted after an offer of employment is given per County policy.

• Basic Word skills
• Basic Excel skills
• Basic OutLook skills (Email and Calendar)
• Basic Court System software skills

• Close and distance vision while driving a vehicle.
• Peripheral vision for safety reasons (ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or to the left and right while eyes are fixed on a given point).

• The noise level in the work environment will vary by location.
• Will work inside approximately 90% of the time.
• Will need to visit high crime areas and work with potentially dangerous offenders.

• This position requires professionalism.
• Ability to work extended hours, as necessary (you may be required to conduct school, home and community visits and interviews during weekend hours and evenings).
• Probation Officers have the power to detain an offender if they are in violation of conditions imposed by the court.
• The average caseload is approximately 30 cases per Probation Officer.