Youth Development Coordinator

Harris County Juvenile Probation Department (HCJPD) is the third-largest juvenile justice agency in the country and the second-largest department in Harris County, employing over 1,200 professionals dedicated to youth justice transformation and reform. HCJPD is committed to improving outcomes for youth, reducing racial disproportionality, and ensuring a safe environment for both staff and residents. We continuously innovate by implementing systemic changes to lower detention populations and promote positive youth development.

About the Role

The Residential Services Division consists of a Juvenile Detention Center and two post-adjudicated facilities. The facilities house youth who are awaiting court and youth who are placed into the department’s custody by the juvenile courts. The facilities provide direct care and supervision for all youth placed with the department along with providing mental health and behavioral treatment programs.

As a Youth Development Coordinator, you will collaborate and coordinate the overall treatment plan of the youth on your caseload. The main responsibility will be to ensure that the needs of the youth are met, which includes acting as the youth and family advocate, the communicator of decisions regarding the youth, developer of the case plan, and monitor of youth progress in the APEX system. You will serve as a liaison and connector between the youth and Youth Development Coaches, therapists, service providers, education, JPO of Record, and medical personnel. You will also be responsible for keeping the youth's family informed and involved in the treatment process.

Responsibilities

• Function as an advocate, casework specialist, counselor, and broker of services for youth according to their needs, including establishing and updating case plans for all assigned cases, coordinating all treatment of the child, supervising and monitoring child progress.
• Act as a liaison with treatment partners including the youth's family, Youth Development Coaches, education staff, therapists, JPO of Record, medical staff, service providers, and court personnel.
• Initiate and follow up on referrals.
• Schedule and attend required meetings including the initial case staffing and the transitional planning meeting.
• Review and address youth progress on APEX and review and monitor major rule violations and grievance outcomes.
• Maintain the youth's case file and keep required data entry current at all times.
• Provide crisis intervention as needed.
• Ensure all TJJD/PREA standards are met.

Requirements

Qualifying applicants must pass the HCJPD Standard Basic Spelling & Grammar (eSkill) assessment with a score of at least 85%.

• Bachelor’s degree conferred by a college or university accredited by an organization recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and either:
  • One (1) year of graduate study at an accredited college or university (18 completed post-graduate hours) in Criminology, Corrections, Counseling, Law, Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, or other closely related field.
  • At least 1500 hours of paid or non-paid experience working in a social service, community, corrections, or juvenile agency that deals with offenders or disadvantaged persons. (These hours must have been earned within 12 months, which do not have to be consecutive months.)
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and have available transportation for use on the job with vehicle insured to comply with the liability limits required by statute.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain an active certification as a Juvenile Probation Officer and Juvenile Supervision Officer in accordance with TJJD requirements.

Skills

• Working knowledge of field services/departmental policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Knowledge of casework standards in accordance with the Texas Juvenile Justice Department.
• Knowledge of computer programs required to perform job, including Microsoft Office software, designated case management program and/or assessment tool, and general office machines and telephone system.
• Knowledge of community resources and program development.
• Demonstrates good decision-making skills and sustains a high level of judgment.
• Ability to assess the needs of a youth and their family to ensure that the services needed are used.

Additional Requirements

• Upon receiving a conditional job offer, all applicants must undergo a criminal background check and drug screening.
• All employees are subject to random drug and alcohol testing, as well as testing based on reasonable suspicion that the employee may be under the influence of a substance prohibited by the county’s drug and alcohol policy during the course and scope of employment.
• In the event of a public emergency declared by the county, staff may be assigned to other duties, facilities, or departments under the supervision of another county department.
• Certified copies of educational transcripts and/or college credits will be required during the hiring process.
• This position involves working with challenging youth where the use of crisis intervention and de-escalation strategies may be necessary to ensure the safety of both youth and staff.

Preferences

• Bilingual in Spanish.

Pay

$58,573.00 Annually

Schedule

Grant-funded Full-time | This is considered an essential staff position. Days and hours include some weekends and late nights. Hours may vary based on the needs of the department.