****This posting is recruiting for both the Challenge and Detention Unit****
(POSITION OPEN TO MALE APPLICANTS ONLY AS PER PREA 115.315; TAC 343.444 & TAC 343.626)
***Currently, this is a certified paid position which pays $47,822.40 gross annual salary and is subject to the non-certified general services pay dependent on state funding every biennium.***
Acceptable Experience and Education
High school diploma or equivalent with work experience that includes, but is not limited to correctional childcare, residential or direct service provider care for children with behavior problems.
Or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Bilingual (Spanish/English) preferred.
Certificates Licenses, and other requirements:
In order to access the County’s network and systems, a personal mobile smart device is required by the hire start date.
Must meet qualifications for and maintain active certification in the following: TJJD Certified Juvenile Supervision Officer, CPR/First Aid, and Non-Violent physical Restraint Techniques.
Must have telephone and report residence.
Must be at least 21 years of age.
Must have or obtain by date of hire a valid driver's license applicable to job responsibilities, with a driving record acceptable to the County of El Paso.
Minimum Requirements: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of: basic first-aid and personal hygiene; English usage, grammar, punctuation, and spelling; techniques for effective interpersonal communications. techniques for effective interpersonal communications; modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment to include Windows and Microsoft based products.
Skill/ability to: adhere to the TJJD Code of Ethics; possess a high level of maturity coupled with a wholesome interest in young people and an ability to work with all types of youth; work positively and effectively with severely maladjusted youth in situations involving considerable stress; to learn of the deviant forms of behavior in disturbed youth and handle such behavior in a positive and as constructive manner; organize, facilitate and participate with youth in a variety of activities, including but not limited to: skill building, recreational work, physical activities, education, community service work and creative pursuits of overall well-being; pass a pre-employment physical fitness test as set by the department; must pass a pre-employment urine analysis screening; pass a Criminal Background Check;
Each and every county position requires the following professional skills and abilities as key and necessary elements of performance:
- Demonstrate regular and reliable attendance;
- Work well with others and participate fully in a team oriented environment;
- Interface with other employees and customers in a courteous and respectful manner;
- Maintain strict confidentiality;
- Project positive support of their department and all organizations receiving El Paso County service at all times;
- Maintain and enhance the County’s commitment to customer service excellence.
Physical Demands
While working in the office, the incumbent will sit for long periods of time in front of a computer terminal using a keyboard and mouse, requiring hand and finger dexterity, the ability to see well enough to read documents and computer screens; lifting or carrying up to 30 pounds. In crisis situations it may be necessary for the Detention or Challenge Officer to become involved in evacuations of the facility, violent and non-violent physical crisis interventions, restraint techniques, riot control and extractions.
Essential Duties
Understands, practices, and promotes the vision, mission and values of the El Paso County Juvenile Probation Department;
Maintains daily focus on the department’s service philosophy when interacting with youth, including emphasis on developmental assets, developmental relationships, motivational interviewing, trauma informed practices and positive youth development;
Stimulates the interests and supervises the youths participation in a comprehensive program curriculum, including but not limited to the education program, basic arts and crafts, indoor/outdoor sports and physical activities with guidance and leadership;
Supervises, instructs and facilitates various phases of the department's programs;
Maintains basic discipline and control of youth through careful and consistent enforcement of the rules and regulations using appropriate trauma-based interventions to redirect youth behavior;
Observes youth constantly to detect potentially dangerous or deceptive acts;
Relieves the youth’s anxieties and tension through trauma-based strategies;
Makes critical and sound decisions during emergencies or potentially dangerous situations; ensures suicidal outcries are properly communicated for clinical assessment;
Exercises proper control of escalating, violent or aggressive behaviors;
Restrains youth according to the non-violent crisis intervention training;
Assigns and supervises youth in daily housekeeping details as required;
Supervises the seating, serving and recording of each meal as required by the National School Lunch Program, as well as enforces table manners and general behavior;
Administers Non Violent Crisis Intervention, Physical and mechanical restraints, CPR, and First Aid as required;
Maintains a daily activity log, documenting youth behavior and activities, any over the counter medication required and administered, unusual or out of the ordinary behavior, arrival and departure of visitors and other pertinent items of information as required by department policies and procedures;
Ensures regular attendance to ensure operational effectiveness, attends and actively participates in all training required and scheduled;
Keeps track and maintains minimum training standards required for certification and re-certification as a juvenile supervision officer;
Respects and protects the civil and legal rights of all the youth and parents who come into contact with the Juvenile Probation Department;
Reports immediately, without reservation, any corrupt or unethical behavior, which could affect either the child or the integrity of the facility;
Reports immediately, without reservation, any allegations of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or misconduct and cooperate fully with any investigations related to those allegations;
Maintains the integrity and confidentiality of all private information and safeguard that information to not be used beyond which is needed to perform proper, professional duty;
Encourages the relationships with co-workers and colleagues that promote mutual respect within the department, the profession and improvement of its quality of service;
A Juvenile Supervision Officer (Detention/Corrections) may not maintain an inappropriate relationship with the youth served by the department. An inappropriate relationship can include but is not limited to: bribery, solicitation or acceptance of gifts, favors, or services from the youth or their families, and the appearance of an inappropriate relationship;
Adheres to Juvenile Probation Department Personnel, Detention, or Challenge Program Policies and Procedures and Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) Standards;
Substitutes, if assigned, during temporary absences by performing delegated duties sufficient to maintain continuity of normal operations;
Commits self to providing excellent customer service and demonstrate commitment through cooperative team and individual efforts;
Creates a high-quality work culture through participation in and emphasis on training and mentoring to develop leadership, management, and technical skills in self and all employees, including safety related training and skills;
Depending on area assigned:
All officers may be required to assist in administrative duties not limited to but including to but including file audits, statistics gathering, and any other duties directed by any supervisor;
Juvenile Supervision Officers, as dictated by the populations needs in the Facilities, may be assigned to supervise youth in Secure Pre Adjudication (Detention), Secure Post Adjudication (Challenge), and/or Field Compliance Unit (Probation);
Other Important Duties*
Performs such other related duties as may be assigned.
Maintains a safe and healthy workplace environment.
Works both traditional and non-traditional business work hours, including but not limited to; evening shifts, weekends and holidays;
As members of the County of El Paso Emergency Response System, all El Paso County employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers during a proclaimed emergency and may be required to train on emergency response and/or perform certain emergency services at the direction of their supervisor.
