Assessment Officer

Licking County Chamber of Commerce; Newark (OH); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The Licking County Juvenile Court is seeking an Assessment Officer to work with youth, families, law enforcement, schools, and service providers to assess youth and refer services prior to Court involvement, with short-term supervision and case management.

Responsibilities include intake assessments, court hearings, and collaboration with partners to determine risk and placement while maintaining public safety and supporting the youth’s best interests. Hybrid remote work option available.

Qualifications

• Associate’s Degree (Criminal Justice/Social Service preferred) or equivalent work experience.
• Understanding of the Juvenile Court system preferred.
• Ability to work with difficult people, decision-making, problem solving, organizational skills, and tech proficiency.

Responsibilities

• Receive calls/referrals and provide direction.
• Take youth at the Assessment Center per screening criteria.
• Conduct screenings to determine risk, needs, and placements.
• Assist families with locating supportive services and referrals.
• Maintain a safe environment at the Assessment Center.
• Prepare written reports with recommendations for the Court.
• Attend Court hearings and present findings.
• Develop and maintain a list of service providers.
• Communicate with partner agencies to stay updated.

Skills

Empathy & interpersonal skills

Juvenile justice knowledge

Risk assessment

Court support duties

Multisystem collaboration

Education

Assoc. degree in Criminal Justice or Social Services

Tools

Technology & case management software

Job description

The Assessment Officer position works with youth, families, law enforcement, schools, community and treatment service providers, in conjunction with Court staff, to assess youth and provide direction and/or necessary service referrals prior to Court involvement, and to offer short term supervision and case management. This position will utilize a battery of evidenced-based standardized screening tools to determine risk and appropriate referrals and services. Said findings will also serve as a basis for recommendations as to least restrictive placement of the youth and determination of whether official Court involvement is necessary.

Essential Functions, Duties, And Responsibilities

• Receive calls and referrals from law enforcement, schools, families, services providers, etc., regarding contact with youth in the community and provide appropriate direction based on the information presented.
• Receive youth at the Assessment Center who have been arrested by law enforcement per the screening criteria.
• Conduct a battery of evidence-based standardized screening tools to determine risk, needs, least restrictive placement of the youth, and identify necessary services for the youth and family.
• Assist youth, families, schools, etc. with identifying and locating supportive services and facilitating appropriate referrals therefrom.
• Maintain a safe, comforting environment for youth and families brought to the Assessment Center.
• Perform “in-office” duties as assigned.
• Performs on-call duties as specified in the On-Call Officer’s job description (non-business hours).
• Synthesize results of investigations, screenings, assessments, interviews with youth, their family, and other sources of information, into written reports with recommendations to supervisors and the Bench that address risk, safety, need, and are in the child’s best interests while maintaining public safety.
• Create a plan and provide direction to address the identified needs of the youth and family based upon the findings of the intake investigation.
• Attend Court hearings as needed on assigned cases and intakes, and present written and verbal reports and recommendations to the Court.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive list of service providers available to youth and families.
• Communicate and network with partner agencies consistently so as to remain up to date on staffing, capabilities, programs, and needs.
• Communicate and maintain positive working relationships with the Licking County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, local law enforcement agencies, child welfare agencies, educational institutions, community mental health agencies, and other service providers.
• Maintain a working knowledge of the Ohio Revised Code and Ohio Rules of Juvenile Procedure.
• Conduct office, school, and other field visits as appropriate, based on the needs of the youth, family, and the community.
• Utilize evidence-based practices, while approaching youth from a trauma-informed perspective.
• Maintain detailed case notes and records per Court policy in the Court’s case management system.
• Effectuate arrests of youth under the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court pursuant to applicable laws and the Court’s policies and procedures.
• Demonstrate the following Core Correctional Practices: develop interpersonal relationships, use effective reinforcement, practice effective disapproval, effective use of authority, practice cognitive restructuring, pro-social modeling of behaviors, skill building/structured learning, and problem-solving.
• Perform duties not specified within this job description when instructed by the Senior Court Services Officer (ARC), the Deputy Director of Court Services, and/or the Director of Court Services.
• Demonstrate regular and reliable attendance and communication.

Qualifications

Associate’s Degree (Criminal Justice/Social Service preferred) or equivalent work experience is required, an understanding of the Juvenile Court system is preferred, ability to work with difficult people, decision-making, problem solving, organizational skills, and necessary skills with technology such as computer-based programs are all required.

Skills And Characteristics Required

• Ability to connect with challenging and difficult people, while providing empathetic, non-judgmental, and culturally competent interventions.
• Understand the juvenile justice system and how it interacts with a wide array of other systems in which Court involved youth and families come into contact.
• Reflect the values and professionalism of the Licking County Juvenile Court in interactions with Court employees and with the community at all times.
• Maintain the confidentiality of youth and families involved with the Court while treating those involved with the Court with dignity and respect.
• Demonstrate reasonable judgment in times of crisis and high stress while maintaining a high-performance level in stressful and emotionally challenging conditions and circumstances. Must remain flexible in a fast-paced setting where circumstances change frequently throughout the day.
• Must utilize conflict resolution and conflict management skills to de-escalate tense situations between youth, their families, and others.
• Ability to synthesize information from different sources and draw appropriate conclusions.
• Must demonstrate teamwork on a variety of teams which may include Court staff, service providers, youth, family, and other stakeholders to achieve case plan goals through effective communication and collaboration across systems.
• Uses interpersonal skills to develop positive relationships with youth and families to drive interventions and achieve case plan goals through consensus when possible.

Physical Demands: Must be of physical condition to detain and/or arrest youth when necessary.

Certificates, License, Registration: Valid Operator’s License required.

Work Environment

Typical work hours for this position are 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. However, employees may be expected to work extra evening hours in emergency circumstances as cases demand. Employees are also required to work periodic evening and weekend on-call shifts as scheduled. This position is a hybrid remote opportunity as some work can be performed remotely. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Successful candidates will be subject to a pre-employment drug screen and background check. Licking County Court of Common Pleas, Probate-Juvenile Division, is an Equal Opportunity Employer.