What are the responsibilities and job description for the JUVENILE PROBATION OFFICER I position at McLennan County, Texas?
Position Summary
To provide efficient and effective casework services for those children who are diverted or who are under the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court of McLennan County.
Essential Functions
- Keeps timely chronological documentation of cases
- Receives offense referrals and performs preliminary investigations
- Prepares social histories
- Dispositions case records
- Maintains timely personal or personnel paperwork to include monthly reports, time sheets, and case tracking
- Complies with legal requirements to ensure juveniles receive full benefits of due process
- Maintains contact with parents, attorneys, law enforcement and community agencies
- Coordinates / participates in all aspects of court hearings
- Makes appropriate referrals to other agencies
- Seeks / secures alternative placement for juveniles
- Transports “at risk” clients
- Regular attendance and timeliness are required
LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER: The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.
Minimum Requirements
EDUCATION:
Required
- Bachelor’s degree preferably in a behavioral science or criminal justice
- Must be certified juvenile probation officer or eligible for certification by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department
SKILLS ~ EXPERIENCE:
Required:
- 1 year of experience in a social service agency (1-year graduate study in criminology, law, social work, psychology or sociology may be substituted for the one-year social service agency experience requirement)
- Current and Valid Texas driver’s license and safe driving record
- Must be a certified probation officer when hired or able to obtain certification and have knowledge of the Texas Juvenile Justice Code
- Must also have an ability to work with hostile “at risk” clients and their parents
- Supervises clients on probation, sets goals with clients and helps clients reach their goals through supervision case management
- (BILINGUAL) Fluent Spanish Speaking with excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Supplemental Information
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS:
- Contact with “at risk” clients and persons accursed or adjudicated of misdemeanor and felony offenses, visitors and the general public.
- Work is performed mostly indoors in a 24-hour/7-day confined, security facility
- Climate controlled facility
PHYSICAL DEMAND REQUIREMENTS:
- The individual must be able to physically restrain residents exhibiting disruptive behavior in a safe manner in accordance with the behavior management training
- Repetitive hand motions
- Frequent sitting, some standing, occasional walking and light lifting
- Must be able to pass a pre-employment physical and drug screen
HOURS / SPECIAL CONDITIONS: Regular schedule is Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This position may be required to work a flexible schedule based on the needs of the facility. Assigned on-call duty on rotating basis.
McLennan County will conduct background checks on new hires that will include a criminal background check related to convictions and deferred adjudications in the past seven years and may include credit reports, motor vehicle records, employment records, and educational attainment. A conviction or deferred adjudication is not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered individually.
