OPS JUVENILE PROBATION OFFICER - 80900421

Temporary position with the Department of Juvenile Justice, located at the Probation & Community Intervention – Circuit One Juvenile Assessment Center, 1800 St. Mary Ave., Pensacola, FL 32501. Starting salary: $15.00 per hour.

About the role

This position provides social services to assist in the rehabilitation of juvenile law offenders in custody or on probation or parole. Incumbents make recommendations for actions involving formulation of rehabilitation plans and treatment of offenders, including conditional release and education and employment stipulations.

Responsibilities

• Initiate contact with youth, family, victims, and law enforcement when referrals are received by the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice (FDJJ).
• Conduct home and school visits as part of the information gathering process and family involvement model.
• Obtain and review collateral information such as abuse and neglect history, educational, mental health, substance use, gang-related activity, and other pertinent information from agencies involved with the youth and/or family.
• Conduct and document FDJJ screenings to identify the youth’s risk and needs, protective factors, and/or the need for further evaluations, including detention screening, intake screening, Suicide Risk Screening Instrument, and other approved risk/needs screening and/or assessment instruments.
• Formulate case management strategies based on assessments and information gathered to address the specific needs of the youth and family.
• Make service referrals to appropriate providers and follow up on actions needing to be taken.
• Make supervision and treatment recommendations to the State Attorney and other judicial partners to provide the most appropriate services in the least intrusive manner.
• Complete screening instruments and reports used by the Department and/or the courts, including but not limited to: Detention Screening Risk Assessment (DRAI), Suicide Risk Screening Instrument (SRSI), case plans, Pre-Post Disposition Report, Adult Sentencing Summary Report, Progress (Status) Report, Electronic Commitment Packet, and Termination of Supervision.
• Act as the DJJ Representative during court hearings to support the Department’s recommendation for the youth, family, and community.
• Prepare and maintain current social histories, court reports, referral letters, and related correspondence.
• Testify at hearings when appropriate.
• Prepare affidavits/petitions for Violation of Probation for any violation resulting in the filing of a delinquency petition and request hearings when appropriate.
• Complete a risk and needs assessment using the appropriate Department-approved instrument(s) for all youth screened/supervised by the department.
• Conduct face-to-face contacts in the home, school, and varied community-based settings during non-traditional hours (weekends and evenings) in addition to business hours.
• Maintain communication based on departmental requirements for all stages of youth and family involvement, including meetings in detention centers, schools, homes, out-of-home placements, and other locations.
• Assist youth with obtaining appropriate mental health and substance abuse evaluations based on administered assessments, and arrange for specialized testing and treatment as needed.
• Assist youth and family with school and after-school enrollment, maintain school contact, verify school attendance, academic performance, and behavior.
• Provide crisis intervention and assist in accessing crisis intervention services/resources by making necessary referrals and follow-up on actions taken.
• Work with youth to establish personal goals/plans and provide ongoing support to help achieve these goals.
• Discuss projected timeframes for completion of goals, sanctions/conditions of supervision, and anticipated termination dates based on progress and court orders.
• Respond to concerns, needs, and risks presented by youth, family, and the community by staffing cases with the unit supervisor in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.
• Determine recommended handling of law violations and provide appropriate interventions when a youth violates conditions of supervision based on the Effective Response Matrix.
• Conduct staffing for benchmarks, case milestones, or complex cases needing additional considerations (e.g., securely detained youth, completed court-ordered requirements, violations, transition/exit planning).
• Participate in transition and exit planning to finalize plans for youth pending release from residential programs, including referrals for post-residential services.
• Enter all case management activities into the Juvenile Justice Information System (JJIS), including risk/needs screening, assessment, and case planning activities.
• Upload required forms/documents into JJIS to ensure accurate and timely entries in accordance with administrative and JJIS business rules.
• Ensure familiarity with community resources and provide input to circuit management on community-based service delivery issues and program developments.
• Attend and participate in professional development trainings and meetings.
• Follow all departmental policies, procedures, and administrative rules.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Must be at least 19 years of age.
• Must not have been convicted of any felony or a misdemeanor involving perjury or false statement, or received a dishonorable discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States.
• Must abide by all provisions of Florida Statute 985.66 regarding fingerprinting, background investigations, and other screening requirements for personnel.
• Must execute and submit an affidavit-of-application form attesting to compliance with statutory requirements.
• Must maintain CPR and First Aid Certifications throughout employment.
• Subject to sex offender check, criminal background checks (state, local, and national), and pre-employment drug screening.
• For positions involving transportation of youth, a three-year acceptable driving record is required as defined in FDJJ Policy 1920.
• Top-ranking candidates may be required to take and pass the Ergometrics IMPACT Assessment and Training Test to measure suitability for working with juvenile justice-involved youth.

Qualifications

Preference may be given to candidates with a bachelor’s degree or higher level of education.

Pay

$15.00 per hour.