Intake Processing JPO

The probation officer is responsible for analyzing and screening all assigned cases referred to the Lubbock county Juvenile Justice Center. The officer shall provide services to and supervise assigned juveniles and their families under the auspices of Title III Texas Family Code and departmental policies. The field officer will be responsible for the assessing the individual treatment needs of each probationer and assigning the appropriate level of supervision to ensure the child’s accountability and rehabilitation. The field officer will be responsible for developing a treatment plan designed to meet the individual needs of each probationer and their family, ensuring their compliance with the plan and updating all plans according to policy. Field officers will monitor children to ensure their compliance with all court orders and report to the court any violations.

• Receive assigned incoming juvenile referrals and make personal contact with the juvenile within 5 working days of receiving the assigned case.
• Determine appropriate action for each referral based on case facts of the offense, child's history, familial status, assessment instruments, progressive sanctions and departmental policy. 
• Refer juvenile to appropriate service agencies within 2 weeks of determination of needs. Ensure their needs are identified in their case plan.
• After consultation with the Assistant Probation Supervisor make detention/release decisions in accordance with Title III Texas Family Code.
• Maintain current, accurate statistical information on caseworker system regarding each child. Ensure that each contact with child, parent, school, placement, and all secondary contacts are documented in caseworker within 5 working days of the contact.
• Conduct initial interview within 10 working days of receiving all assigned cases, complete all required supervision and agency referral paperwork.
• Complete individual case plan and CSE-IT on all official probationers within 30 working days of case disposition. Reassess individual case/program plan every 30 days or when there is a change in the program or needs while the child is under supervision with child and family. Reassess individual CSE-IT no less that once every six months or when there is new information gathered. Conduct Case Plan Reviews within 15 calendar days after a child’s probation is modified or a Courtesy Supervision is received.
• Update all changes (school, phone number, addresses, etc.) in JCMS and maintain accurate, current documentation in chronological order in dictation section of files. Ensure that each contact with child, parent, school, placement, and all secondary contacts are documented within 5 days of the contact.
• Provide counseling, crisis intervention and assessment/referral to all youths and families, as needed, assigned to your caseload. Provide informal supervision, pre-court supervision and regular probation supervision to children in accordance with risk assessments and the supervision and merit system.
• After consultation and approval of the assistant probation supervisor, file violations of probation and new referrals with the Criminal District Attorney’s office in a timely manner. File petitions with CDA on children in detention in accordance with the 15/30 day filing deadline. All other cases should be filed within 10 working days.
• Take juveniles into custody according to policy. 
• Restrain residents who are out of control, damaging property, and/or presenting a danger to themselves or others. Utilize non-violent physical restraint methods and mechanical restraints as warranted in accordance with departmental policy. Submit written report of mechanical restraint usage to assistant detention superintendent within one hour of usage, unless restraints are used for transporting residents.
• Recommend disposition of adjudicated youth to the juvenile court following progressive sanctions guidelines, as well as assessment of court fees, probation fees, restitution and support fees.
• Ensure all ordered fees are collected. Inform your supervisor in writing quarterly when the child is not meeting their ordered financial responsibilities.
• Maintain files in an orderly fashion according to file maintenance policy (i.e. sectional content, labels, etc.), including electronic uploading
• Maintain current information form on each child. Ensure that information is accurate and corresponds with dictation section.
• Prepare all other reports, applications, billing and statistical information as required.
• Transport juvenile and/or parents to any necessary appointments, doctor visits, counseling sessions, field trips, special events, placements, etc. in accordance with departmental policy.
• Notify child's parent/guardian any time child is detained by the juvenile probation department for detention and orientation material. 
• Collect urine samples from juveniles for analysis based on case history and assessments that have been completed as deemed appropriate.
• Organize and participate in special activities for supervised juveniles.
• Ensure that all necessary paperwork is completed on all youth in placement, including Court orders and common applications and all other documents required by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department or the individual placement.
• Facilitate group counseling sessions parenting classes, job skills training classes and diversion classes, etc. for probationers.
• Prepare necessary paperwork for Administrative Hearings, LCJJC placements and present material as required.
• Participate in staffing and meetings on assigned residents. 
• Keep supervisor informed, at least on a weekly basis, on status of caseload.
• Conduct TJJD Assessment Tools in accordance with the Family code. 
• Conduct Exit Plans in accordance with the Family Code. 
• Maintain contacts with assigned juveniles and families in accordance with assigned supervision and merit system.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

To be eligible for appointment as a probation officer a person must:  (1) meet NCIC/TCIC employment guidelines; (2) be of good moral character; (3) have acquired a bachelor's degree conferred by a college or university accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board; (4) have either:  (A) one year (24 hours) of graduate study in criminology, corrections, counseling, law, social work, psychology, sociology or other field of instruction approved by the commission or (B) one year experience in full-time casework, counseling, or community or group work:  (i) in a social service, community corrections, or juvenile agency that deals with offenders or disadvantaged persons; and (ii) that the commission determines provides the kind of experience necessary to meet this requirement; (5) have satisfactorily completed the course of pre-service training or instruction required by the commission; (6) have passed the tests or examinations required by the commission; and (7) possess the level of certification required by the commission.

SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND REQUIREMENTS: Knowledge of: Texas Family Code Title III; Texas Penal Code; Texas Juvenile Probation Standards; Standards for Juvenile Detention Facilities. Ability to: Utilize personal computer; work independently and efficiently; make informed decisions; perform public speaking; effectively communicate in writing and orally.

REQUIRED TO HAVE: Telephone; Valid Texas Driver’s license; An automobile; Liability insurance on the vehicle used for work purposes.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: This job requires some light lifting (less than 50 lbs), the ability to run in response to emergencies, and custodial incidents, the ability to restrain juvenile offenders via HWC techniques, unlock doors, squat, bend and kneel.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND HOURS: Work week will be flexible hours within a forty (40) hour time period.  The work week begins on Saturday and concludes on the following Friday.   Overtime will be compensated at the rate of time for time.

DISCLAIMER: The above description reflects the details considered necessary to describe the standard functions of this position and should not be constructed as a thorough description of all work requirements. The characteristics of the work environment described are representative of those that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.   

Equal Employment Employer: Lubbock County will not discriminate in our employment practices based on an applicant’s race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information or status as a protected veteran.

Salary : $53,082