CLASSIFICATION TITLE: Probation Officer II, Care and Control
FLSA STATUS: Exempt
EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-time
WORK SCHEDULE: 40 hours per week
DEPARTMENT: Probation Services
PAY GRADE: A16
REPORTS TO: Juvenile Probation Supervisor
DISTINGUISHING JOB CHARACTERISTICS
An employee assigned to this classification will become knowledgeable in the Court’s Care and Control process as well as hold a case load of Care and Control youth. Employee will perform various duties in the Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS), a comprehensive case management database. Employee will investigate, counsel and supervise juveniles referred by the Court. The employee provides and maintains information and documentation, administers sanctions, and refers juveniles for treatment or other needed services. Employee may occasionally have to travel out of state, and will respond to emergency situations during off-hours.
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.
Performs juvenile probation responsibilities, and demonstrates competency in specialty area.
Knowledgeable and efficient in all Care and Control rules while utilizing the SACWIS system. Must be very detail orientated and have great time management skills. Provides resources for probation officers regarding specialty area. Acts as resource for Department and Court in specialized area.
Monitors and supervises youth to ensure compliance with Court ordered probation terms and conditions. Develops and implements case plans and monitors juvenile’s compliance. Keeps Court informed of progress through written reports and Court appearances, and confers with youth and family concerning progress, problems and issues in meeting treatment goals. Intervenes in crisis situations and determines need for parenting education. Will need to become efficient in assessing the youth as well as the family for these specialized cases. Investigates youth and their families. Analyzes data, administers risk assessments, prepares written reports and makes recommendations concerning disposition of cases. Schedules appointments.
Strives to establish trusting relationships with assigned youth. Encourages youth in various recreational, cultural, educational and therapeutic activities designed to enhance self-esteem, and participates with youth to build relationship and trust.
Makes announced and surprise home visits and works closely with client families to provide guidance and structure to the family unit. Monitors school performance including attendance, academic achievement, behavior problems and other issues. Interacts with school officials to ensure effective educational planning.
Attends court hearings to present Social History information, describe youth’s behavior and performance, and provide updates to assist the Judge or Magistrate in making most appropriate disposition. Completes Court Investigation reports.
Facilitates after-care plans including providing direction to youth in seeking residence after treatment plan, locating support groups for youth and family, providing assistance to care givers in enrolling youth in school, and providing support in dealing with other life issues.
Establishes and maintains effective relationships with internal court programs, social service agencies and community resources, makes referrals when appropriate and follows up with treatment progress, problems and issues in coordination with treatment agency.
Utilizes volunteers and college interns to supplement the youth’s programming efforts. Serves as mentor and coordinator for volunteers and interns assigned.
Prepares requests for summons and warrants, effecting delivery of service when appropriate.
Observes and collects urinalysis samples to determine if youth is using illicit drugs.
Facilitates parent & youth support group development, and as required provides on site or work site supervision.
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Makes speaking engagements and represents court on committees.
SCOPE OF SUPERVISION
Supervision of juveniles and other designated programs.
EQUIPMENT OPERATED
Vehicles; computers; copier, fax machine, telephone, and other general office equipment; handcuffs; cell phones; television.
CONTACTS WITH OTHERS
Juveniles; parents, families and guardians; Attorneys; school officials, teachers, counselors and staff; community social service and treatment providers; law enforcement officers; victims; other courts; Judges and/or Magistrates; Bailiffs; Children’s Services; Department of Human Services; general public.
CONFIDENTIAL DATA
Juvenile records and files including psychological, mental health and chemical dependency evaluations; SACWIS; case jackets; treatment assessments; agency information; police records [child/parents]; medical reports; personal information; financial information; birth certificate; social security number; probation/parole records; urinalysis results.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Good working conditions when working in the office. When working in the field, employee is exposed to conditions within juvenile’s homes and high crime areas. Possibility of exposure to hepatitis and bloodborne disease from contacts with juveniles and urinalysis samples. Possible exposure to risk of injury from physical assault. Occasional exposure to inclement weather.
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 duties of this job, the employee frequently sits for extended periods of time, and occasionally stands and walks. Job can involve operating and sitting in a vehicle for periods of time. Employee converses verbally with others in person and by telephone. Vision demands includes normal vision requirements but can include occasional viewing of computer screen requiring close focus.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of: Juvenile Court system procedure and process; counseling; social work; corrections; Ohio Revised Code as it pertains to probation functions; criminal justice system; universal precautions for control of bloodborne pathogens; programming and community resources; family structure and issues
Ability to: maintain good community relations as Court representative; establish and maintain effective work relationships with associates and job contacts; establish rapport with juveniles and family members of various social and economic backgrounds; perform under stress when confronted with emergency, critical, unusual or dangerous situations; work with resistant clients; maintain confidentiality of confidential and sensitive information; establish caseload priorities.
Skill in: Immediate intervention assessment; interviewing juveniles, family members and others; listening; crisis mediation; time management; completing statistical and progress reports; data input; operation of computer; application of job software programs; self-defense; analyzing data and preparing behavior modification programs.
QUALIFICATIONS
An appropriate combination of education, training, course work and experience may qualify an applicant to demonstrate the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. An example of an acceptable qualification is: a Bachelor’s degree in psychology, sociology, criminal justice, social work or related field with one to two years of related experience, which may include an internship or field placement, or one to two years of work experience in juvenile justice or a related field serving youth and families. A Master’s Degree may be substituted for up to two years experience at the Director’s discretion. Ability to pass a criminal background check.
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.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
