JUVENILE PROBATION DEPARTMENT - DEPUTY CHIEF OF JUVENILE SERVICES

***Currently, this is a certified professional services position which pays $147,656 and is subject to the non-certified professional services pay dependent on state funding every biennium.*** 

Acceptable Experience and Education

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in the area of the area in Criminal Justice, Corrections, Public Administration, Business Management, Social Services, Human Relations, Behavioral Sciences, Social Sciences, Psychology or a closely related field and ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in correctional and/or criminal justice field with increasing responsibility in an administrative role and five (5) years in a managerial capacity, which includes supervision of staff, preparation of operational budgets and completing written/verbal reports to a Board of Directors. 

Experience can include custodial childcare, probation, juvenile court service unit, department of public welfare, juvenile corrections, or institutions within the division of youth services, or related work.

Or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Preferred:

Master’s degree

Must have or obtain by date of hire a personal device capable of using multi-factor authentication to verify one's identity when accessing the El Paso County Juvenile Probation Department network and systems.

Must have telephone and report residence.

Must have or obtain by date of hire a valid driver's license applicable to job responsibilities, with a driving record acceptable to the County of El Paso. 

Must meet qualifications and be eligible to be certified as a Juvenile Probation Officer (JPO) by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) within the first 180 days of hire. 

Proof of automobile liability insurance coverage is required.

Essential Duties

Supervises, monitors, evaluates, investigates, and coordinates the probation and operational functions of the Juvenile Services Division;

Leads Juvenile Services strategic planning and alignment activities to ensure staff are maximized and operational efficiencies are rendering desired outcomes. 

Oversees the department's compliance with all state mandated standards and requirements;

Acts as a liaison with Commissioners Court, law enforcement agencies, community service agencies and coordinates Probation Operations/Services for all court functions;

Works with community organizations, schools, law enforcement, and other stakeholders to coordinate services and support for juveniles;

Oversees policy management to ensure compliance with Departmental, Texas Juvenile Justice Department standards, local, state and federal standards as well as maintain working knowledge of statutes and laws impacting juvenile justice practices and services;  

Keeps informed of pending legislation that may impact the Juvenile Probation Department;  

Coordinates, evaluates, researches, and develops comprehensive services and programs that are culturally competent, evidence based and/or promising practices;

Assists in the development and implementation of programs aimed at improving operational efficiencies, the rehabilitation and prevention of juvenile delinquency;

Assesses current practices and utilizes knowledge of traditional and contemporary correctional science principles and juvenile justice theories to develop staff;

Develops and implements programming aligned with evidence based and/or best practices that integrate juvenile justice theories to create a seamless system of care and services delivery that promotes community protection and client centered services;

Oversees the evaluation on the systems of internal controls and makes recommendations for improvements;

Prepares and manages the department budget, ensuring resources are allocated effectively for the juvenile services division to include a yearly review of the allocation of human resources;

Assists the Chief Juvenile Probation Officer (CJPO) in the development, implementation and management of procedural revisions;

Compiles data, produce information, and interpret results through conclusion or recommendation formulation;

Analyzes referrals, offenses, and case data to assess operational and programmatic effectiveness and prepares special documents, reports, publications, and presentations for strategic planning and operational meetings, stakeholders, to include recommendations for improvements as needed;

Represents the department at community meetings and public events to promote programs and foster community relations;

Facilitates open communication with the court(s), departmental staff and the public;

Continually improves, develops, maintains, and implement financial policy/procedures and programs and to ensure legal compliance on service and operational matters;

Supervises department employees, including assigning and reviewing work, training, completing performance evaluations, and making recommendations on hiring, terminating, and disciplining personnel;

Selects, motivates, and evaluates department staff and adheres to policies and procedures;

Provides or coordinates training and works with employees to correct deficiencies;

Plans, directs, and coordinates, through subordinate-level staff, the department work plan; 

Meets with management staff to identify and resolve problems;

 Assign projects and programmatic areas of responsibility; and review and evaluate work methods and procedures;

Reviews  and manages juvenile cases, providing guidance to subordinates to include members of management and probation officers on complex cases;

Organizes training sessions for staff on best practices, legal updates, and innovative approaches to juvenile probation in collaboration with the training unit when necessary;

Provides recommendations regarding assignment of personnel, need for corrective and/or disciplinary action as well as evaluates staff and assists subordinates in establishing performance and professional goals;

Assists in crisis situations and making decisions regarding the safety and well-being of staff and juveniles;

Evaluates staff development through the department’s established performance management system, to include coaching sessions, employee conferences, quarterly performance reviews, and annual performance appraisals; 

Substitutes, if assigned, during temporary absences by performing delegated duties sufficient to maintain continuity of normal operations;

Commits self to providing excellent customer service and demonstrate commitment through cooperative team and individual efforts; 

Creates a high-quality work culture through participation in and emphasis on training and mentoring to develop leadership, management, and technical skills in self and all employees, including safety related training and skills;

Other Important Duties

Performs such other related duties as may be assigned.

Maintains a safe and healthy work place environment. 

Remains on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week;

As members of the County of El Paso Emergency Response System, all El Paso County employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers during a proclaimed emergency and may be required to train on emergency response and/or perform certain emergency services at the direction of their supervisor.

The Deputy Chief of Juvenile Services performs highly responsible professional, administrative, and supervisory work in the management and coordination of the Juvenile Probation Department. The incumbent is responsible to perform a wide variety of managerial and analytical tasks, including organizational/division strategic planning, supervising and evaluating the work of professionals, technical and clerical staff engaged in probation and operational functions of the department. Work is performed with considerable independence and in accordance with applicable legal and managerial practices, rules and regulations, laws and codes.  

Minimum Requirements: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of: laws, regulations, and policies governing juvenile probation and the broader juvenile justice system; national best practice standards; effective implementation strategies; evidence-based practices in rehabilitation and prevention programs; utilization of implementation science strategies; techniques for de-escalating conflicts and handling crises involving juveniles, families and employees; data management and statistical analysis related to juvenile cases; strategic planning methodologies; adolescent development, behavioral management strategies; positive youth development; juvenile justice system management to include court processes, intake processes, diversion and probation services and clinical services;; Title III, Juvenile Justice Code, Texas Family Code and Penal Code; counseling and  juvenile justice principles and practices, including casework methods with particular reference to the problems of socially and emotionally maladjusted children; juvenile court law and statistical analysis; the principles and practices of effective employee supervision and effective customer service; English usage, grammar, punctuation and spelling; techniques for effective interpersonal communications; modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment to include Windows and Microsoft based products. 

Skill/Ability to: lead and motivate   teams; foster a collaborative and positive work environment across organizations; work effectively with diverse populations and understand the unique challenges faced by staff, juveniles and their families; be flexible to adjust strategies and approaches based on changing circumstances and new information; speak candidly and persuasively with a variety of stakeholders; conduct strategic planning for the organization; apply strategic thinking to define problems, analyze and measure the extent of the problem; initiate improvement efforts; implement a control/sustainability process;   plan, direct, and organize assigned activities of the department; take a fresh, objective look at the operations of the Department; develop innovative, yet practical solutions to problems and meet the Department’s long-range goals; make decisions regarding long-range goals and priorities, policy interpretation, legislative interpretation, project planning, group work scheduling and individual work priorities; know about, be sensitive to, and to have respect for cultural diversity in order to oversee the delivery of culturally competent services to an ethnically and racially diverse population; establish department goals and objectives and to identify outputs and outcomes in quantifiable terms; plan, direct and review the work of employees; have critical thinking and decision-making skills to address complex issues and develop effective solutions; mediate disputes and resolve conflicts among staff, juveniles, and families; maintain effective case management systems; work effectively across units, with community organizations, law enforcement, and educational institutions;  have a strong sense of ethics and integrity in decision-making and interactions with juveniles and families; have familiarity with case management software and other technology used in juvenile probation; ensure that departmental activities conform to federal, state, and local laws and regulations; identify and resolve departmental operational problems; understand business functions and metrics within the County and local government; be approachable, politically astute leader and strategic thinker; possess excellent professional communication and interpersonal skills to engage youth, families, fellow employees, supervisors, municipal, county and state officials, community stakeholders and the general public as well as speak in public; have a positive and professional demeanor/temperament as well as able to persuade/influence others to excel and achieve professional and departmental goals and objective; be of good moral character to promote values, demonstrate integrity, commitment, honesty and reliability; demonstrate initiative and the ability to lead by example; promote and maintain professional development through independently seeking learning opportunities to enhance personal skills and knowledge; be performance driven and possess the ability to align individual, team and work goals with goals of the department; successfully complete the Department’s pre-employment requirements and background check.

Each and every county position requires the following professional skills and abilities as key and necessary elements of performance: 

• Demonstrate regular and reliable attendance;
• Work well with others and participate fully in a team oriented environment;
• Interface with other employees and customers in a courteous and respectful manner;
• Maintain strict confidentiality;
• Project positive support of their department and all county organizations at all times; 
• Maintain and enhance the County’s commitment to customer service excellence.

Physical Demands

While working in the office, the incumbent will sit for long periods of time in front of a computer terminal using a keyboard and mouse, requiring hand and finger dexterity, the ability to see well enough to read documents and computer screens; lifting or carrying up to 30 pounds. 

Work Environment 

Office environment. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Organizational Relationships

Reports to:    Chief Juvenile Probation Officer

Directs:          Directors of Intake, Probation Services, Clinical Services, and Special Programs 

Other:            Social service agencies, federal/state/local law enforcement agencies, area school districts, county administrators, county department heads, and other agencies as required

Job Location (Place(s) where work is performed)

Juvenile Probation Department but will occasionally travel out of town as required. 

 The above is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by this position. The statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of personnel so classified.

Salary : $147,656 - $147,656