Juvenile Probation Officer III/Care Coordinator (The Children's Partnership)

Full Job Description

This Juvenile Probation Officer/Care Coordinator serves as a bridge between the Travis County Juvenile Probation Department (TCJPD) and Travis County Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide in-home wraparound services for youth with complex behavioral health challenges who are enrolled into The Children's Partnership (TCP) and are actively involved with Juvenile Probation.

The Care Coordinator works collaboratively with the youth, family, Juvenile Probation, and community partners and agencies in a strengths-based, team-approach, utilizing the Wraparound process to develop and implement a plan of care for the youth and family.The purpose of the position is to support the stabilization of the juvenile-justice involved youth so they can safely remain in their home, school, and community.

This position requires a high level of collaboration with various systems including schools, child welfare, juvenile justice, and mental health agencies.

The TCP Care Coordinator must be flexible, creative, able to work varied hours, and comfortable working in families’ homes.

The TCP Care Coordinator must be able to perform in crisis situations and be comfortable working with individuals who have experienced trauma, have limited resources, and have challenges in functioning in everyday settings.

The TCP Care Coordinator will be trained as a Wraparound Facilitator through National Wraparound Implementation Center (NWIC) and is expected to maintain fidelity to the model.

This position will also be a certified Juvenile Probation Officer for TCJPD and will be working with youth in and out of the secure facilities.

Provides supervision and counseling to juvenile clients positioned at various stages within the juvenile justice system.

Supervises and monitors all aspects of client’s case related to conditions of probation, including visits with client’s family and other significant contacts.

Conducts initial and subsequent interviews with clients to assist in sentencing, explains conditions of probation, and assists clients in meeting terms of probation.

Documents client behavior for use within the juvenile justice system. May supervise specialized caseload of clients.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This is the fourth in a series of five juvenile probation-related job classifications within the Court Services job family.

This classification provides supervision to clients who are within various phases of the juvenile justice system.

This classification is distinguished from the Juvenile Probation Officer Lead in that incumbents do not have lead responsibilities. This classification may require work in secure facilities.

This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

Requirements

• Interviews clients, collects and completes required documentation and determines eligibility for assistance based upon a variety of service regulations and procedures.
• May make home visits on an “as needed” basis for clients unable to come to the service site.
• Provides basic needs counseling and problem-solving assistance or case management services for clients.
• Conducts assessment of client needs.
• Develops casework/service plans, monitors progress and follow-up.
• Provides social services related to crisis intervention.
• Coordinates with other service agencies, organizations, and vendors to provide appropriate services and information for clients as well as referrals.
• Serves as an advocate on behalf of client. Makes appropriate referrals to other social service, education, and/or health agencies as needed.
• Interprets eligibility requirements, policy and procedures to clients, other agencies, vendors and governmental entities.
• Assists in contract development and monitoring.
• Plans, organizes and participates in special projects, including outreach efforts, public speaking and special activities for client.
• Provides education and training to clients/community.
• May provide short and long-term case management, crisis intervention and service coordination to ensure maximum self-sufficiency and non-institutional living.
• May provide short-term independent living skills assistance and training.
• May assist clients in obtaining vocational and employment services.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Social or Behavioral Sciences or a directly related field AND three (3) years of experience in case management, a social service, community corrections or juvenile agency that deals with offenders or disadvantaged persons.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:

Must be at least 21 years of age.

Certification as a Juvenile Probation Officer and Juvenile Supervision Officer or eligible for certification the Texas Juvenile Justice Department within six (6) months of date of hire,

including successful completion of Cardio-pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification, First Aid and

Handle with Care (state approved physical restraint techniques).

Valid Texas Driver’s License.

Preferred:

Spanish Speaking

Knowledge of:

• Supervisory principles, practices and techniques.
• Policies, practices, procedures and legal terminology related to court system.
• Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations, guidelines and applicable juvenile justice system standards and procedures.
• Standard practices in area of assignment.
• Psychological concepts of good behavior, social adjustment and emotional stability.
• Standard counseling techniques.
• Safety and security techniques and standards.
• Physical restraint techniques to control aggressive behavior.
• Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages.
• May be required to develop knowledge of and adhere to federal and state laws requiring the confidential handling of certain health information.

Skill in:

• Training, supervising and reviewing the work of others.
• Monitoring and responding to client behavior.
• Problem-solving and decision-making.
• Interviewing clients.
• Both verbal and written communication.

Ability to:

• Gather, analyze and evaluate facts to conduct investigations and report results clearly, accurately and impartially.
• Work efficiently both independently and as part of a team.
• Reason and make judgments and decisions.
• Work effectively and courteously under stressful circumstances.
• Deal effectively with mentally ill or emotionally distressed individuals undergoing acute episodes, who may also be hostile and aggressive.
• Manage time well, perform multiple tasks and organize diverse activities.
• Conduct investigations and report results clearly, accurately and impartially.
• Perform in a stressful environment while maintaining a professional manner.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, representatives of outside agencies, other County employees and officials, representatives of the juvenile justice system and the general public.

Additional Information

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 50-100 pounds, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and basic office equipment.

Subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, balancing, repetitive motion, and squatting to perform the essential functions.

Subject to contact with communicable diseases, radiation, hazardous waste, human fecal matter and foul odors. Subject to client and customer contact for extended periods of time.

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.

You must ensure your application accurately reflects your skills and abilities as they relate to the position. Only periods of employment and experience detailed in the "Work Experience" section of the application will be considered in determining which applicants move forward in the selection process, as well as determining pay level for candidate(s) recommended for hire.