Intake/Diversion Officer

Incumbent is responsible for ensuring due process, compliance with court-ordered terms, and providing case management, supervision, and support, using evidence-based techniques, for juveniles and families involved in the juvenile justice system. Incumbent searches for alternatives to detention, when possible, while ensuring community safety. Reports to the Intake Supervisor and/or the Director of Court Services.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, Criminal Justice, Counseling, Psychology, Education, or a related field
• Four (4) years of experience working with at-risk youth
• Related training
• Valid Ohio driver’s license
• Flexible work schedule; availability outside normal business hours

Responsibilities

• Attends court hearings and provides consultation, information, and/or prepares and presents recommendations
• Attends daily intake triage meetings and screens all incoming referrals to determine appropriate course of action, aiming for the least restrictive measure
• Conducts assessments and collects collateral information (school, mental health, other agencies) to form summaries and risk assessments
• Provides clients entering the system with a clear explanation of the court process
• Maintains positive working relationships with juveniles and families of diverse cultural, racial, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds
• Maintains client files for selected hold open, adjudicated, waiver, diversion, and OVI cases
• Meets with families informally to discuss alternatives to filing an official complaint with Juvenile Court
• Provides incentives, expectations, and consequences for youth on various levels of supervision
• Administers drug and alcohol screenings/tests and prepares samples for the lab
• Works with parents to establish positive parenting skills and with youth to promote positive behavior change
• Provides crisis intervention, assessing situations and directing families to suitable solutions or referrals
• Handles detention hearings for new and existing youth entering the Juvenile Court
• Participates in, monitors, and updates groups, positive activities, and programs as needed
• Monitors youth in holding cells and provides transportation as necessary
• Uses evidence and strength-based practices to promote positive behavior change for juveniles
• Builds and maintains positive relationships with juveniles, families, community partners, and law enforcement
• Receives and responds to calls from law enforcement personnel/agencies, including outside normal business hours, weekends, and on-call rotation
• Documents and maintains accurate, updated records using appropriate case management systems and databases