Residential Treatment Officer Sr.

Provides direct supervision and treatment intervention of juvenile clients in a residential treatment program. Maintains security, control, and guidance to facilitate treatment, prevent harm, and ensure safety during all daily activities. Recommends and implements treatment plans and corrective disciplinary strategies. Documents client behavior for use within the juvenile justice system. Serves as a working lead over other juvenile detention positions.

Responsibilities

• Provides direct supervision of all client daily activities.
• Maintains accountability of all clients and equipment; ensures a safe, clean, and secure environment.
• Assesses juveniles, develops and implements treatment plans, corrective disciplinary strategies, and effective treatment intervention programs.
• Ensures clients understand their responsibilities and appropriate behavior.
• Conducts cognitive skill groups and teamwork activities.
• Models competency in direct care principles for less experienced staff.
• Documents clients' behavior and enters data into the department computer information system.
• Develops strategies for case management.
• Functions as a working lead over other juvenile residential positions; trains, assigns, and reviews work of employees.
• Provides individual and crisis intervention counseling as required.
• Maintains order and discipline; physically restrains aggressive clients using approved protocols when necessary.
• Transports clients to other facilities as required.
• Serves on committees and participates in special projects.
• Maintains communication with other staff to ensure continuity of care.
• Assists in investigating incidents involving clients.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Social or Behavioral Sciences, or a directly related field.
• Three (3) years of experience in social services, criminal justice, or a directly related field.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Certification as a Juvenile Probation Officer and Detention Officer or eligible for certification within six (6) months of hire, including successful completion of:
  • Cardio-pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification
  • First Aid Certification
  • Handle with Care (state-approved physical restraint technique)
• Valid Texas Driver’s License.
• Must pass a physical exam, drug test, alcohol test, and psychological exam.

Skills

• Knowledge of:
  • Supervisory principles, practices, and techniques.
  • Policies, practices, procedures, and legal terminology related to the court system.
  • Federal, State, Local, and County applicable laws, rules, regulations, guidelines, and 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.
  • First aid techniques.
  • Computer equipment, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and software packages.
  • HIPAA and other federal and state laws requiring confidential handling of 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.
  • Verbal and written communication.
• Ability to:
  • 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, and aggressive individuals.
  • 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, outside agencies, County employees, juvenile justice system representatives, and the general public.

Work Environment

• 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 essential functions.
• Subject to contact with communicable diseases, radiation, hazardous waste, human fecal matter, and foul odors.
• Works in a stressful environment with client and customer contact for extended periods of time.
• May require work in secure facilities.
• May require a flexible work schedule to meet department needs.

Schedule

• 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM, 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM, 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM (must be able to work all three shifts as needed).
• Works some holidays, nights, and weekends.

Location: 2515 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704. Criminal, driving, education, and employment background checks required.