Predisposition Services Officer

HOURS

Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Some scheduling flexibility, including evening hours, may be required

A Court Application must be completed at www.lcdrc.org/employment prior to interview.

DISTINGUISHING JOB CHARACTERISTICS

Monitors juvenile offenders during the pre-dispositional process by making school and home visits to document the juveniles’ behavior and progress. Installs, monitors, and removes electronic monitoring equipment. Attends Court hearings and maintains communication with court officers and judicial staff. This is a grant-funded position and is not part of the Court’s general operating budget. Ongoing funding for this position is dependent upon the continuation of the grant or external funding resources.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each essential duty listed below. Reasonable accommodations will be made for disabled persons, covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, in accordance with its requirements.

Conducts community visits to the home, school, and work to ensure compliance with program rules and regulations while awaiting court hearings.

Documents all contacts in case management system. Records program statistics of youth as required for grant purposes. Prepares and electronically files hearing recommendations, client documentation and records, and court appointed forms.

Documents and reports progress to Magistrates, Judges, and the Investigation and Referral Department. Maintains responsibility for attending court hearings before Magistrates and Judges to report on youths’ behavior and progress and offers recommendations regarding case disposition. Provides court security in formal hearings.

Drafts warrant requests regarding non-compliant juveniles for pre-admission into the Detention Home. Detains juveniles and transports to secure detention facilities as requested. Trained in the use of pepper spray, handcuffing, and shackling.

Maintains daily log of each client and distributes weekly roster and summary of juveniles’ progress to other Court programs.

Enters client information into SCRAM database to enroll youths on electronic monitoring. Conducts daily checks regarding youths whereabouts on electronic monitors. Enters all relevant information into the case management system in a timely manner. Immediately reports monitor violations to supervisor.

Conducts drug and alcohol tests and observes and collects urinalysis and oral samples to determine use of illicit drugs. Collects and logs DNA samples, fingerprints.

Completes work in a timely, consistent manner and is committed to being available during business hours to further organizational goals. Consistently meets deadlines.

Maintains a professional and polite disposition at all times when dealing with public, coworkers, court staff, service providers, and other outside agencies. Stays calm and even-tempered when handling crises, stressful situations, continuous change, or unexpected developments. Works effectively in a team environment to accomplish organizational goals.

Must be awake and alert at all times. Demonstrates regular and punctual attendance and arrives prepared to work. Meets all job safety requirements and all applicable OSHA safety standards that pertain to essential functions. Maintains flexibility in work hours to accommodate the needs of the Court and families.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Provides administrative and clerical support for Predisposition Services Unit. Types, files, makes copies, scans, sends correspondence, and fields phone calls. Drafts and electronically files Court documents. Troubleshoots, installs, retrieves and ships electronic monitoring equipment as directed. May transport juveniles to the Detention Home from court hearings.

SCOPE OF SUPERVISION

None

EQUIPMENT OPERATED

Electronic monitoring devices, computer, cell phone, copier, scanner, fax machine and other general office equipment, county vehicle, pepper spray, handcuffs, and shackles.

CONTACTS WITH OTHERS

Regular contacts inside and outside of the Court where improper handling may affect results but where primary responsibility rests with the next higher level of supervision. Contacts include, but are not limited to; youth offenders, parents/guardians, family members, attorneys, prosecutors, law enforcement, victims, Lorain County Children’s Services, social service and treatment providers, school officials and staff, Judges and staff, Department of Human Services and general public.

CONFIDENTIAL DATA

Work involves some confidential data such as client records, medical reports, police records, or other information which, if disclosed, may have an adverse effect detrimental to the Court’s interest or contrary to professional ethics.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Works in potentially high-intensity situations involving youth and/or parents/guardians that may require behavior management, de-escalation, and crisis intervention. Works in a variety of venues, frequently in high-crime areas with delinquent populations. Work is subject to frequent interruptions, crisis intervention, constant reprioritization of work activities and moderate to high degree of stress. Occasional exposure to noise, dust, heat, or other disagreeable elements, but none continuously present.

USUAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The following physical demands are typically exhibited by position incumbents performing this job’s essential duties and responsibilities. These physical demands are not and should not be construed to be job qualification standards, but are illustrated to help the employer, employee and/or applicant identify tasks where reasonable accommodations may need to be made when an otherwise qualified person is unable to perform the job’s essential duties because of an ADA disability.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit, speak clearly and to hear. Job can involve operating and sitting in a vehicle for periods in varied weather conditions. Employee converses with others in person and by telephone. Vision demands include close, relatively detailed vision when using a computer screen, usually less than 50% of the time. Physically lifts or moves material weighing up to 40 pounds on an occasional basis.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of: juvenile court procedure and process, criminal justice system, standard English grammar, spelling and punctuation and ability to complete required case reports, make recommendations to supervisor and to the court, and apply and adapt procedures as cases demand. Complete knowledge of all computerized systems for data management, communication, and electronic monitoring, including purchase, installation and maintenance, and policy development and documentation, training and staff development, and system security.

Ability to:read, write, and understand Standard English language,effectively work and communicate verbally and in writing with co-workers, other court staff, program participants and their families, and members of the general public, demonstrate sensitivity to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities and disabilities. Ability to serve the public with diplomacy and respect, including occasional encounters with irate/difficult individuals. Ability to exercise patience, objectivity, maturity, initiative and adaptability. Ability to relate and communicate effectively with youth and parents, model appropriate interpersonal action skills for youth, recognize when further direction and/or assistance is needed, recognize boundaries between job duties and authority. Ability to regularly work extended, evening, irregular, and/or weekend hours.

Skill in: working with at-risk juveniles, family members, listening, crisis mediation, cde-escalation techniques, completing statistical and essay reports, operation of computer, application of job software programs, self-defense, developing appropriate family goals and graduated sanctions, analyzing data and preparing behavior modification programs, CPR and First Aid. Proficient in Microsoft platform, including Word and Excel spreadsheets and required internet applications

QUALIFICATIONS

An appropriate combination of education, training, course work and experience may qualify an applicant to demonstrate required knowledge, skills, and abilities. An example of an acceptable qualification is a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, social services or other closely related field from an accredited college or university. Relevant work experience and/or training may be considered in lieu of a bachelor’s degree.

Ability to document identity and employment eligibility within three (3) days of original appointment as a condition of employment in compliance with Immigration Reform and Control Act requirements.

Possession of an active and valid Ohio driver’s license and a demonstrated safe driving record. Must be eligible to drive under the county commissioner’s Driver/ Vehicle Risk Reduction Program.

LICENSURE OR CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

State Motor Vehicle Operators License and proof of insurance.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $20.50 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Work Location: In person

Salary : $21