What are the responsibilities and job description for the TJJD - Program Specialist II-Youth Rights Specialist (GNS) - 47720 position at TEXAS JUVENILE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT?
HOW TO APPLY
Complete a State of Texas Application for Employment and the following additional forms (available at https://www.tjjd.texas.gov/careers/)
- TJJD Employment Application Supplement (HR-003)
- Child Abuse Registry Check Consent Form (HR-028)
- Disclosure of PREA Employment Standards Violation (HR-975)
- Authorization to Release Information (HR-074)
Failure to complete and submit the above forms will cause delays in your consideration for this position.
Apply Online at https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/644/jobdetail.ftl?job=00047720&tz=GMT-05:00 and attach to the application the above additional forms along with copies of high school/college diploma(s), copy of official college transcripts, any licenses/certifications, and, if a military veteran, any Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214).
Apply through Work-In-Texas at https://www.workintexas.com/vosnet/loginintro.aspx. You will also need to complete and attach to the application the supplemental questions/forms indicated above along with a copies of high school/college diploma(s), copy of official college transcripts, any licenses/certifications, and, if a military veteran, any Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214). The additional forms are available at: https://www.tjjd.texas.gov/careers/ and can be submitted via email to: HRJobs@TJJD.Texas.gov.
PLEASE NOTE
Your job application must be completely filled out and include all employment, do not limit employment to the past 10-15 years. Your application must contain complete job histories, which include job titles, name of employer, dates of employment (month & year), supervisor’s name and phone number, and a description of duties performed, and whether it was full-time or part-time and hours per week. If any of this information is not provided, your application may be rejected as incomplete. Resumes do not take the place of this required information.
Applicants must be able to pass a Criminal Background Check and any other requirements listed under Minimum Qualifications.
BENEFITS
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The TJJD youth rights program manages a confidential formal grievance system through which youth under the agency’s jurisdiction, their parents or guardians, or youth advocates may file grievances concerning the care, treatment, services, or conditions provided for youth in TJJD state-operated facilities or programs and receive a prompt and fair response based on a thorough review of the complaint.
Performs moderately complex (journey-level) consultative services and technical assistance work relating to youth rights and organizing and overseeing the youth grievance process at the assigned secure facility. Work involves facilitating access to and understanding of the youth grievance system; coordinating, tracking, and monitoring the youth grievance process from the time a grievance is filed through exhaustion of the response appeal process; helping to ensure prompt, fair, and thorough resolution of grievances; and preparing and reviewing management and operational reports. Work requires extensive interaction with youth and their family members, coordination with juvenile correctional officers, case managers, and grievance decision authorities, and serving as a program liaison with facility administrators. May act as back-up youth rights specialist for other locations as needed.
Works under general supervision of a centrally located youth rights program administrator with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment outside of established procedures and standards. May be required to work in excess of 40 hours per workweek, be on-call, and travel occasionally.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Performs an array of technical, training, planning, program assessment, and administrative activities related to the youth rights program.
Provides relevant information to the youth rights program administrator and facility administrators regarding program activities and how facility practices impact youth rights; and reviews facility activity and incident reports to identify and proactively address any concerns affecting youth rights and potentially resulting in a youth grievance, including review of Safe Housing Scores related to youth dorm room assignment when reviewing random incidents.
Conducts orientation and/or training sessions on the youth grievance system as needed in an objective, professional and sensitive manner for youth, parents or guardians, staff, contractors, visitors or other stakeholders; proactively promotes understanding of youth rights and the youth grievance system; provides guidance and training on an ongoing basis and as necessary regarding new methods and procedures; and develops related presentations, agendas, and reference documents for such sessions.
Gathers and reviews sufficient information regarding complaints and allegations to adequately inform youth of their options with regard to filing grievances; provides consultative services and technical assistance as needed to youth, parents or guardians, volunteers, youth advocates, grievance decision authorities, and other agency stakeholders throughout the grievance process; and documents relevant conversations in the TJJD Correctional Care System.
Ensures processes are in place for daily collection of youth grievances from locked grievance boxes and other methods, including the IRC hotline.
Reviews grievance forms and other documentation upon receipt and throughout the grievance resolution and appeal process to ensure compliance with established procedures; identifies missing technical information and signatures and advises youth of required revisions for compliance; and assigns the grievance to the appropriate decision authority and grievance category.
Coordinates, tracks, and monitors the youth grievance process from the time a grievance is filed through exhaustion of the response appeal process to ensure prompt resolution of grievances.
Conducts technical reviews of grievance and grievance appeal responses to ensure fair, thorough and appropriate resolutions consistent with agency policies, procedures, and standards; coordinates any necessary revisions with the decision authority; and coordinates process to ensure that actions identified in a granted relief occur in a timely manner.
Compiles and maintains accurate records and statistics pertaining to the youth grievance system; performs and/or monitors data entry to ensure appropriate data is entered into the youth grievance manager system; and performs and/or oversees data searches and retrieval as needed.
Provides bi-weekly or more frequent reports for pending and overdue grievances to the staff and administration to encourage adherence to the timely resolution of youth grievances.
Reviews and monitors response due and overdue status reports; and oversees the preparation of grievance data reports and resolution monitoring reports in accordance with established procedures and guidelines.
Prepares or oversees the preparation of other management and operational reports as directed, including special projects and non-routine reports.
Designates and works closely with Youth Multi-Disciplinary Treatment Teams ensuring appropriate appointment of Dorm Grievance Clerks. Provides training for youth to act as youth grievance clerks; confirms completion of Grievance Clerk Certification forms; facilitates youth grievance clerk meetings and monitors youth grievance clerk duties; and oversees processes to confirm continued eligibility for youth grievance clerk designation and continuity of logging unused/lost/destroyed grievance forms.
Collects, organizes, analyzes, and prepares materials in response to requests for program information.
Participates in staff and facility meetings involving or potentially affecting youth rights; prepares for such meetings and shares relevant information, identifies concerns affecting youth rights or the youth grievance system; makes recommendations to address concerns; and considers ideas and points of view from other staff members.
Collaborates with the youth rights program clerks to provide information, reports, advice to the facility administration, staff and the centrally located program supervisor and the work of youth acting as youth grievance clerks; and promotes excellent performance, confidentiality, and a positive working environment.
Collaborates with youth rights program management and staff in meeting established objectives and goals; shares information, identifies concerns and trends; recommends improvements to resolve problems or enhance operations; and assists with the development of policies, procedures, guidelines, and forms relevant to the program area and in the development of plans to improve programs or to address areas of concern.
Acts as program liaison with the facility’s compliance officer and facility administrators to explain and provide technical assistance on program specifics and requirements and to assist with ensuring compliance with Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) standards.
Reports any presence or perception of racial, ethnic, and/or gender disparities.
Performs a variety of related duties not listed, to be determined and assigned as needed.
Performs all duties in compliance with agency safety policies and procedures:
- Reports safety hazards and corrects hazards when possible.
- Completes required documentation in the event of an accident/injury within requested time frames.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s degree. Three (3) years of full-time wage earning experience that may be any combination of the following: working with families and/or youth in a residential or educational setting; dispute, complaint, or allegation resolution activities; or providing technical or administrative support in any of these settings.
OR
High school diploma or equivalent with seven (7) years of full-time wage-earning experience that may be any combination of the following: working with families and/or youth in a residential or educational setting; dispute, complaint, or allegation resolution activities; or providing technical or administrative support in any of these settings.
Preferred:
- Bachelor’s degree with major course work in criminal justice (corrections), social science, behavioral science, or related field.
Experience and Education Substitutions:
- Completed course hours of undergraduate study may substitute for up to four years of experience on a basis of 30 course hours for one year of experience.
- Completed course hours of graduate study may substitute for up to two years of experience on a basis of 12 graduate course hours for one year of experience.
Note: Any degree, diploma, high school equivalent, or course hours required to meet minimum qualifications must be from an accredited educational institution.
Requirements for Continued Employment:
- Successful completion of initial, on-going, and annual training requirements.
- Obtain and maintain certification in the TJJD approved use of force techniques.
- Obtain and maintain certification in First Aid and CPR.
- Failure to maintain required licenses/certifications will result in termination of employment.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS
The following physical demands and working conditions are representative of those encountered and/or necessary for the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:
- Or learn about TJJD and its programs.
- Complaint/grievance resolution principles, techniques and procedures.
- Laws governing investigation of abuse, neglect, exploitation and mistreatment of youth or children.
Skill in:
- Operating computers, using applicable computer software and using high level data and informational reports as an administrative management tool.
- Communicating and working effectively with youth, family, and the public.
- Willingness to physically restrain youth in the appropriate manner, maintain order and discipline, and act quickly in emergencies.
Ability to:
- Work with youth in an empathetic and understanding manner.
- Appropriately respond to abusive language and conduct in a manner consistent with instructions received in training.
- Remain alert, observant, and physically able to respond appropriately to work situations or emergencies including, but not limited to, physical restraint of youth.
- Advise others in the juvenile justice field of relevant laws, rules, and policies.
- Gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze data; and devise solutions to problems or make recommendations for improvement.
- Seek out relevant data.
- Maintain confidentiality.
- Be fair, impartial, unaffected by personal biases.
- Interpret policies and procedures.
- Speak in public to small groups and make clear oral presentations of facts or ideas.
- Express ideas clearly in writing; write appropriately for different audiences; and critically evaluate written communications.
- Follow ethical standards.
- Prioritize and manage multiple tasks; plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments; and meet deadlines.
- Work collaboratively with all stakeholders and maintain a professional, courteous demeanor.
- Process information logically, make decisions, and demonstrate the soundness of those decisions.
- Work in excess of 40 hours per workweek, be on-call, and travel occasionally.
VETERANS
In order to receive veteran’s preference, a copy of your DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), VA disability rating (if applicable), or a DD Form 1300 (Report of Casualty) must be attached to your application.
Go to https://texasskillstowork.com/, https://www.onetonline.org/, or http://www.careeronestop.org/ for assistance translating your military experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications/requirements, and skill sets.
Additional Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Code or Crosswalk information is available from the Texas State Auditor’s Office at Program Management MOS Codes.
SPONSORSHIP
Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
If you are scheduled for an interview and require any reasonable accommodation in our interview process, please inform the hiring representative who calls you to schedule your interview. Whenever possible, please give the hiring representative sufficient time to consider and respond to your request.
Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls. If you submitted your application through the CAPPS Career Center (https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en), you may also check the status of your application by accessing your profile and selecting My Jobpage and selecting My Submissions.
Thank you for considering employment with the Texas Juvenile Justice Department.
AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The Texas Juvenile Justice Department does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability in employment or the provision of services.
