Juvenile Probation Asst

Assists in providing supervision and counseling to juvenile clients at various stages within the juvenile justice system. This role involves routine duties performed under the guidance of higher-level staff and may require work in secure facilities or a flexible schedule.

Responsibilities

• Assists in conducting investigations on the background of each case, including interviewing clients, their families, and other significant contacts.
• Reviews documentation such as police reports, court transcripts, and criminal records to assess environmental, employment, financial, or domestic difficulties related to the case.
• Assists in making recommendations for sentencing and disposition of probationers and preparing probation plans.
• Supervises and monitors juveniles on probation through regular home, school, and office visits.
• Determines the needs of the client and family and assists in developing supervision plans.
• Ensures client understanding of court-ordered obligations and monitors compliance with probation terms and conditions.
• Addresses violations of court orders by taking appropriate action.
• Coordinates case management with representatives of criminal justice and social service agencies.
• Assists clients with referrals for counseling, treatment, and job placement.
• Verifies attendance and completion of court-ordered programs, including alcohol, drug, and mental health counseling.
• Assists in preparing written assessments and recommendations to the court regarding sentencing, treatment, custody release, and probation compliance.
• Maintains client files and records in compliance with laws and policies.
• Transports clients to other facilities as required.
• May assist in developing client placement plans, including completing applications, purchasing clothing, and obtaining medical and psychological reports.
• May provide individual and crisis intervention counseling.
• May conduct urinalysis, request and execute warrants, and obtain necessary consents and paperwork.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Associate's degree in Criminal Justice, Social or Behavioral Sciences, or a directly related field and one year of experience in social services, criminal justice, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Certification as a Juvenile Supervision Officer or eligibility for certification within six months of hire, including CPR, First Aid, and Handle with Care (state-approved physical restraint technique).
• Valid Texas Driver's License.

Preferred

• Spanish-speaking ability.

Skills

Knowledge of:

• Policies, practices, procedures, and legal terminology related to the court system.
• Federal, state, local, and county laws, rules, regulations, and juvenile justice system standards.
• Standard practices in the area of assignment.
• Psychological concepts of behavior, social adjustment, and emotional stability.
• Standard counseling techniques.
• Safety and security techniques and standards.
• Physical restraint techniques to control aggressive behavior.
• Computer equipment, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and software packages.
• Confidential handling of health information, where required.

Skill in:

• Monitoring and responding to client behavior.
• Problem-solving and decision-making.
• Interviewing clients.
• Verbal and written communication.

Ability to:

• Gather, analyze, and evaluate facts to conduct investigations and report results clearly 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 disturbed, hostile, or aggressive individuals.
• Manage time well, perform multiple tasks, and organize diverse activities.
• Perform in a stressful environment while maintaining a professional manner.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, outside agencies, County employees, officials, and the public.

Work Environment & Other Information

• Physical requirements include lifting/carrying up to 50-100 pounds, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand-eye coordination, and manual dexterity for operating computers and office equipment.
• Subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, balancing, repetitive motion, and squatting.
• Subject to contact with communicable diseases, radiation, hazardous waste, human fecal matter, and foul odors.
• Subject to extended periods of client and customer contact.
• May be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

Schedule

8:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Monday–Friday. May require morning or late evening hours, with the option to work additional time in detention or residential locations.

Location: 2515 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704

Criminal, driving, education, and employment background checks required.