A Family Service Specialist/Juvenile Probation Officer provides intensive supervision and case management to youth involved in the juvenile justice system, many who have complicated needs involving mental health, dependency, truancy, and trauma. The incumbent in this position attends court hearings, collaborates with other professionals, and engages with families. The incumbent will supervise youth with a focus on public safety and the delivery of services based on assessed risk and need.
Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, employees can complete job duties of a similar kind not specifically listed here.
- Provides direct community supervision and support to youth, including face-to-face visits, and uses evidence-based approaches such as Motivational Interviewing to foster successful collaboration with clients.
- Interviews clients to obtain and verify personal, social, and delinquent/criminal histories and completes assessments of individuals to determine risk, needs, strengths, and frequency of client contact.
- Determines appropriate methods of addressing client risks and needs based on the nature and complexity of circumstances, the client’s caretaker and support system, and available community resources.
- Develops and implements case plans outlining court-imposed requirements and individual goals and objectives to be accomplished during the period of supervision, including the methods and techniques to be used.
- Monitors client activities to ensure compliance with the conditions of probation and aftercare through regular contact including field visits, office appointments, Global Positioning System (GPS) monitoring, and telephone contact.
- Investigates and reports possible probation and aftercare violations for further investigation and action by a probation and parole officer or law enforcement.
- Attends court hearings to answer questions, make recommendations, and present progress reports, including providing testimony.
- Prepares and updates a variety of records and reports including recommendations for case disposition.
- Provides referrals to applicable resources and monitors compliance with required activities and services.
- Communicates regularly with clients and families, court officials, social service agencies, and community resource contacts, including schools and behavioral healthcare service providers, to coordinate and exchange information.
- Cooperates with law enforcement regarding intelligence inquiries with a goal of maintaining safety for the youth and the community.
- Uses automated information systems and computer software to research, review, evaluate, and report on case data.
- Performs other related duties as required.
JOB REQUIREMENTS for Juvenile Probation and Aftercare Specialist I
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:
- One year of experience in supervising and supporting at-risk youth receiving rehabilitation services in a detention, residential, probation, or community-based setting in compliance with treatment plans and/or court orders.
OR
Possession of a Bachelor's degree or higher or have an anticipated graduation date within 3 months, with coursework in Behavioral Science, Psychology, Sociology, Human Services, or related field.
- Possession of a valid Driver’s License (not suspended, revoked or cancelled, or disqualified from driving).
JOB REQUIREMENTS for Juvenile Probation and Aftercare Specialist II
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:
- Two years’ experience in supervising and supporting at-risk youth receiving rehabilitation services in a detention, residential, probation, or community-based setting in compliance with treatment plans and/or court orders.
OR
Possession of a Bachelor's degree or higher or have an anticipated graduation date within 3 months, with coursework in Behavioral Science, Psychology, Sociology, Human Services, or related field.
- One year of experience in case management such as assessing, planning, developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating options and services to meet an individual's human service needs.
- One year of experience in interviewing to obtain facts, explore issues and identify courses of action.
- Six months’ experience in behavior management such as understanding, explaining, describing and predicting behavior, studying the connection between behavior and its causes and identifying appropriate behavior modification strategies for individual situations.
- Possession of a valid Driver’s License (not suspended, revoked or cancelled, or disqualified from driving).
JOB REQUIREMENTS for Juvenile Probation and Aftercare Specialist III
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:
- Three years’ experience in supervising and supporting at-risk youth receiving rehabilitation services in a detention, residential, probation, or community-based setting in compliance with treatment plans and/or court orders.
OR
Possession of a Bachelor's degree or higher or have an anticipated graduation date within 3 months, with coursework in Behavioral Science, Psychology, Sociology, Human Services, or related field.
- Two years’ experience in case management such as assessing, planning, developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating options and services to meet an individual's human service needs.
- Two years’ experience in interviewing to obtain facts, explore issues and identify courses of action.
- One year of experience in behavior management such as understanding, explaining, describing and predicting behavior, studying the connection between behavior and its causes and identifying appropriate behavior modification strategies for individual situations.
- Possession of a valid Driver’s License (not suspended, revoked or cancelled, or disqualified from driving).
This is a series posting. Applicants must check the box for each level they wish to be considered for. If you do not check each box, you will not be considered for the unchecked levels, even if you meet the requirements of that level.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The State of Delaware Executive Branch participates in the Federal E-Verify system where the State will provide the federal government with each new hires Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For more information refer to our job seeker resources.
This position is a classification organized under an exclusive bargaining representative (labor organization) that has been elected by employees as their representative for collective bargaining and other applicable terms and conditions of employment, in accordance with Title 29, Chapter 59 and Title 19, Chapter 13 and 16. This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement based on its individual terms.
Pre-employment Drug Testing: Upon a conditional offer, you must undergo pre-employment drug testing as part of the hiring process.
Criminal background check: A satisfactory criminal background check is required as a condition of hire. The recruiting agency may require the applicant to pay for the criminal background check as part of the conditional offer of hire.
All new hires are required to report to the Statewide New Employee Orientation (SNEO) on their first day of employment. Sessions are held at designated locations in Kent or New Castle County.
To learn more about the comprehensive benefit package please visit our website at https://dhr.delaware.gov/benefits/
The application and supplemental questionnaire are evaluated based upon a rating of your education, training and experience as they relate to the job requirements of the position. It is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application and the supplemental questionnaire to include dates of employment, job title and job duties. For education and training, list name of educational provider, training course titles and summary of course content. Narrative information supplied in response to the questions must be supported by the information supplied on the application including your employment, education and training history as it relates to the job requirements.
Once you have submitted your application on-line, all future correspondence related to your application will be sent via email. Please keep your contact information current. You may also view all correspondence sent to you by the State of Delaware in the “My Applications” tab at StateJobs.Delaware.gov.
Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process.
Individuals who use TDD may request auxiliary aid or service by calling (800) 232-5470 or by visiting delawarerelay.com.
If you need assistance with an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or general applicant support, you may call (302) 739-5458 or email [email protected].
The State of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage and seek out a workforce representative of Delaware including race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.
