Juvenile Probation Officer

Please note:  Application must be submitted through Livingston County website - https://livingston.applicantpool.com/jobs/1227506 

Position Summary:

Under supervision of the Juvenile Services Supervisor, 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 juvenile probationers and their parents and attempts to modify or eliminate behavioral problems, reduce recidivism and enhance community safety. Makes referrals to other agencies for evaluation or treatment. Responsible for ensuring the disposition of the case is carried out and that court orders are enforced. A focus of this position will be developing and coordinating community based services and programs.

Essential Job Functions:

An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential functions. These examples do not include all of the duties, which the employee may be expected to perform. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.

1. Administers risk, needs and other screening and assessments to youth and families to determine appropriate level of intervention, orders and services.
2. Investigates assigned cases, includes investigating the social history of youths and their families, analyzing and interpreting social documents, and interviews representatives of schools, enforcement agencies and social service agencies, while continuing contact with the youth and the family. Prepares pre-dispositional reports and memos in order to assist the court in determining the most appropriate disposition of each case.
3. Develops diversion plans, recommends consent terms and probation conditions, including case and supervision plans, placement, support services, restitution, and/or other action to meet short and long-term rehabilitative goals and community safety.
4. Attends hearings, provides testimony on the facts of the case, makes dispositional recommendations to the judge or referee, prepares and facilitates motions. Assumes responsibility for ensuring the disposition of the case is carried out and court orders are enforced.
5. Supervises pre-trial juveniles and those placed on probation, diversion and/or consent in accordance established state standards and local policies.
6. Conducts regular home, school, community-based and office visits and counsels juveniles on a variety of emotional, psychological and behavioral problems. Monitors and evaluates juveniles' progress.
7. Makes active referrals for services and confers regularly with programs, services, police, schools, detention facilities and victims regarding progress/actions of youths. Provides juvenile justice prevention and education programming, including substance use education.
8. Assess the safety of juveniles, family members and community members. Responds to crisis and emergency situations and determines the most appropriate response, including physical intervention, in accordance with case history, court policies and procedures, court rules and statutes.
9. Responsible for administering urine screens to juveniles, which includes collecting urine samples, ensuring safety procedures, and protecting the chain of custody.
10. Evaluates and recommends placement decisions and considers alternatives such as care and custody of a parent or guardian, detention, foster placement, psychiatric or substance abuse treatment facilities, or any other appropriate placement, taking into account the juvenile's needs along with the safety of the community.
11. Monitors and facilitates specialized treatment programs. May co-lead support groups for target populations providing intensive interventions and rehabilitative treatment, in addition to assisting other community service agencies as needed. May be responsible for supervising target-specific populations such as substance abuse, sexual offenders, or those with mental illness.
12. Serves in rotation for on-call duty on nights and weekends. Prepares orders, arranges transportation, coordinates with attorneys and confers with an on-call judge per policy.
13. Maintains complete and accurate files on assigned cases to include all legal documentation, correspondence, records of verbal contacts, and other documentation related to the case. Verifies the completion of all services assigned to youth and families.
14. Adheres to the Model Code of Conduct for Juvenile Probation Officers and Trial Court Employees. Maintains and protects the confidentiality of non-public court records.
15. May be assigned to a treatment court team. Participates in bi-weekly Drug Treatment Court team staffing and court hearings with a compiled record and status report of juvenile participants. Maintains the written goals, objectives, and strategies of the Drug Treatment Court program and participates in various committees and organizations regarding substance use and treatment to maintain current knowledge and trends. Ability to be open to alternative approaches to recovery and tailoring case service plans to meet the needs of individual participants.
16. Assists in transportation including physically transporting juveniles to and from programs, residential facilities and secure detention. May be required to drive personal and/or county vehicles in the course of business.
17. Maintains a working knowledge of the juvenile justice and drug treatment court fields. Attends training in areas such as youth development, evidenced-based practices and juvenile justice.
18. Performs all other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Minimum Qualifications:

The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, abilities and minimum qualifications necessary to perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the job.

Requirements include the following:

• Bachelor's degree in social work, criminal justice, education, behavioral sciences, or a related field that qualifies the person to manage or supervise the delivery of juvenile services and two years of case work experience in juvenile court or a related juvenile justice or child welfare agency
• The court, at its discretion, may consider an alternative number of years and type of work experience.
• Certification by the Michigan Judicial Institute in accordance with Michigan Supreme Court Administrative Order 1985-05.
• Valid Michigan Vehicle Operator's License.
• Applicable certification in the application of risk, needs, detention, mental health and functional assessment tools and evidence-based practices and services as defined by the State Court Administrative Office and local policy.
• Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN) Operator certification within six months of hire.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of State of Michigan juvenile law, juvenile welfare and development, family dynamics, addiction and recovery, social work, and counseling.
• Considerable knowledge of the juvenile justice system programs and practices, counseling juveniles, working with at-risk juveniles and families, managing juvenile case and petition files, creating and implementing case plans for juveniles, and applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations.
• Skill in assembling and analyzing data, and preparing comprehensive and accurate reports.
• Skill in effectively communicating ideas and concepts orally and in writing.
• Skill in organizing and prioritizing tasks, time-management, making sound judgements and decisions and seeking supervision as needed.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain professional integrity and respect for those requiring juvenile services, including the ability to lead and earn respect. Ability to understand, relate to and connect with people of different backgrounds.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships and use good judgment, initiative, and resourcefulness when dealing with county employees, contractors to the county, representatives of other governmental units, professional contacts, elected officials, children and families, and the public.
• Ability to function independently, to work in a team and collaborate with others. Ability to perform effectively under stress, manage crisis situations, and seek support appropriately.
• Skill in the use of office equipment and technology, including Microsoft Suite applications, database use and the ability to learn new software programs applicable to the position.
• Ability to respond to emergencies or service needs on a 24-hour basis during on-call rotation.