Juvenile Probation Officer

The Juvenile Probation Officer conducts investigations, prepares necessary reports in which appropriate recommendations are made to the Juvenile Court. The Juvenile Probation Officer will supervise and assist a juvenile under the Court's supervision to ensure compliance with Court ordered conditions and directives. Perform all other functions as guided by the Juvenile Act, by order of the Court or as directed by the Chief Juvenile Probation Officer. Adhere to an established code of ethics and practice cultural competence when performing daily duties. Demonstrate responsible social behavior and practice safety awareness and techniques.

• Supervision Duties: Supervise a caseload of juvenile offenders, both at informal and formal levels, and coordinate related services as ordered by the Court. Visit the juvenile's home, school, local police department, employer, service providers and other relevant stakeholders within the scope of the juvenile's supervision level. Maintain regular contact with the juveniles and their families. Keep families/guardians of juveniles informed of program progress, violations, financial obligations, Court procedures and department policies. Develop case plans for juveniles to promote community protection, victim restoration and juvenile accountability. Provide direction and guidance, while employing evidence-based practices. Provide crisis intervention using techniques and resources. Develop and maintain collateral contacts and positive working relationships to ensure best collaborative treatment efforts. Exercise proper custody and apprehension techniques when apprehending and transporting juveniles as required. Enforce all Court orders and conditions through case supervision plans. Make appropriate referrals for in-home and out-of-home services. Secure urine samples following "chain of custody" established policy and procedure. Serve as a mandated reporter of child abuse. Responsible for responding to all "on-call" emergency phone calls during and after work hours approximately twice a year. Utilize a detention assessment to determine is detention of a juvenile is warranted. Utilize mental health/behavioral health, as well as trauma, screening tools. Work in partnership with victim advocates to update victims on case information. Act as a liaison between the juvenile/family and supervision related agencies;
• Court Responsibilities: Understand Juvenile Court procedure in a manner in which Court policies and procedures can be communicated effectively and accurately. Gather case information and prepare documents according to department policy. Attend all supervised juvenile Court hearing, present detailed case information to the Court and relevant stakeholders in a professional and knowledgeable manner. Communicate with personnel assigned to victim advocate duties to promote victim restoration and ensure victim's rights are being met. Ensure that cases are being scheduled in Court in a timely manner in accordance with the Pennsylvania Rules of Juvenile Court Procedure. Provide all case relevant parties with prepared Court reports prior to a hearing. Draft and finalize court investigative summaries, pre-adjudicatory and dispositional review reports, status update reports, memorandums to the Court, various motions and proposed Court Orders in a timely fashion. Act as a liaison between the Court and service providers to confirm expectations are being met. Appearance and conduct shall reflect professionalism as outlined in the department policy;
• Documentation: Maintain physical and electronic file with copies of all reports, evaluations, court orders, petitions, service provider reports, and communication. Complete all appropriate paperwork thoroughly and properly utilizing professional writing skills. Case documentation shall be entered into the case management system promptly aligned with department policy. Gather updated juvenile/family information frequently to keep physical and electronic records current;
• Training and Other: Maintain professional development by completing a minimum of 40 hours of job-related training annually. Attend all department and unit staff meetings unless extenuating circumstances occur. Responsible for performing other job related duties assigned by the management team in the best interest of the department.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable Individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

* Bachelor's Degree in either Criminal Justice or related field of study is required. Experience in the juvenile justice field is preferred, but not required;

* Knowledge of the juvenile justice system, drug and alcohol education, juvenile law, educational law, crisis intervention, treatment programs and government agencies is preferred, but not required;

* Must have a valid driver's license;

* Must have clean criminal history and child abuse clearances;

* Excellent oral and written communication skills; and*

Must be able to perform self-defense techniques and complete defensive tactics training upon hire.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; and talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands or arms; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision and depth perception. Physical effort is sometimes required during apprehension and crisis intervention.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential function. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Travel is frequently required by automobile to juvenile's homes, schools, police departments, service providers and community agencies in order to supervise and investigate an assigned case/caseload. All aforementioned presents a certain amount of physical danger. Possibility of illness due to frequent face-to-face contact with juveniles and families who can have a high occurrence of infectious disease.