General Summary:
Under the supervision of the Casework Supervisor/Referee, enforces court orders and investigates the background of delinquent youths in order to assist the court in determining the most proper disposition of each juvenile case. Supervises and counsels assigned juvenile probationers and attempts to modify or eliminate behavioral problems.
Essential Functions:
- Investigates assigned cases, includes investigating the social history of youths and their families, analyzing and interpreting social documents, and interviewing representatives of schools, enforcement agencies and social service agencies. Makes home visits and continues contact with the youth and the family.
- Prepares pre-dispositional reports in order to assist the court in determining the most appropriate disposition of each case. Recommends probationary terms, treatment, placement, support services, restitution, and/or other action.
- Attends hearings of assigned juveniles and responds to questions of the court. Recommends dispositional alternatives to the court. Provides the court with written progress summaries at review hearings.
- Develops and implements treatment plans for assigned youths designed to meet short and long-term rehabilitative goals and modifies plans as appropriate. Prepares reports for review hearings.
- Supervises juveniles placed on probation. Ensures that conditions of probation are followed. Visits youths and counsels them on a variety of emotional, psychological and behavioral problems. Monitors and evaluates their progress. Documents progress of youths through observation notes and contact notes.
- Provides guidance parents of assigned juveniles, providing advice on how to improve the family situation and resolve conflicts. Refers families to other agencies to further assist them in dealing with family problems.
- Makes referrals to appropriate community agencies including substance and mental health treatment centers.
- Maintains regular contacts with professional and social service agencies that provide juveniles with counseling, testing and guidance. Evaluates feedback on youths from outside agencies. Confers regularly with police, schools, detention facilities and victims regarding progress/actions of youths.
- Maintains an ongoing relationship with representatives of schools and community agencies. Confers with school representatives concerning the juvenile’s behavior during school hours and addresses issues involving probationary juveniles. Monitors attendance and academic progress at school.
- Makes recommendations for release from court jurisdiction and provides the court with termination summaries.
- Serves in an on-call basis for juvenile matters.
- Performs other duties as required.
An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the above tasks. (These examples do not include all of the tasks which the employees may be expected to perform.)
Employment Qualifications:
Education:
- Bachelor’s Degree in social work, criminal justice or other related field.
Experience:
- Two years of casework experience in the criminal justice system, preferably dealing with delinquent youths.
Other Requirements:
- Knowldege of the Juvenile Justice System and the Children Services Program.
- Good principles and methods concerned with personal and social problem solving skills.
- Excellent speaking and writing skills.
- A Michigan Vehicle Operator’s License.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite applications.
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to access all county locations.
