ASSISTANT DIRECTOR - JUVENILE SERVICES

Tarrant County; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The Assistant Director - Institutional Services at Tarrant County oversees daily Juvenile Services operations, including the Lynn W. Ross Juvenile Detention Center, its Medical Clinic, Education, Programming and Food Service Operations, and serves as Facility Administrator.

Responsibilities include planning, organizing, directing, and controlling activities; developing policies and annual budgets; managing contracts and grants; ensuring TJJD standards and laws are met; leading the management

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; five years of related experience preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, contracts, and grants.
• Knowledge of Texas Juvenile Justice Code, TJJD Standards, and related statutes.
• Experience supervising programs and operations in a social services or similar setting.
• Ability to develop and implement formal policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations of Juvenile Services and facilities.
• Plan, organize, direct, and control operational activities and programs.
• Develop and administer annual operating budgets.
• Manage contracts, grants, and state funding.
• Ensure compliance with TJJD standards and legal requirements.
• Lead staff and cultivate long-range program goals and quality improvements.

Skills

Leadership & supervision

Budget management

Policy development

MS Office 365

Analytical skills

Communication

Juvenile justice knowledge

Independent work

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office 365 Suite

Job description

The Assistant Director - Institutional Services will be responsible for assisting with the daily functions of Juvenile Services including being responsible for overseeing the general administration and functioning of pre-adjudication institutional services. This includes the 128-bed Lynn W. Ross Juvenile Detention Center, and its Medical Clinic, Education, Programming, and Food Service Operations. The position will serve as the Facility Administrator and perform administrative work, such as planning, organizing controlling, and directing all operational and programmatic activities of the assigned departments; provide leadership and guidance in the development and implementation of formal policies and procedures; develop and administer the annual operating budgets for assigned programs; manage contracts, grants, and/or state funding; and exercise general supervisory oversight of the preventive and routine maintenance of the physical plant. The incumbent will lead the management team in developing long range program goals and objectives; develop and monitor annual quality improvement initiatives to ensure continuous program improvement. Exercise direction over personnel to ensure proper compliance with all Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) Standards, governmental laws, policies, procedures, and judicial decision affecting the Department. Assists in the absence of the Director or Deputy Director and represents the Department at presentations, meetings, and on committees.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Supervises one or more employees in the Department. Responsible for the overall direction, coordination, and evaluation of these employee(s). Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the County’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employee(s); planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

• Performs administrative work such as planning, organizing, controlling, and directing all operational and programmatic activities of the Juvenile Detention Center, and its Medical Clinic, Education, Programming, and Food Services Operations.
• Administers the annual operating budget; approves and monitors budget expenditures; prepares budget revisions; provides interim status reports on all accounts.
• Exercises direction over personnel to ensure proper compliance with all TJJD Standards, governmental laws, policies, procedures, and judicial decisions affecting the Department.
• Provides leadership and guidance in the development and implementation of formal policies and procedures for the effective and efficient operation of assigned programs.
• Exercises general supervisory oversight of the preventive and routine maintenance of the assigned facilities.
• Oversees and/or coordinates the collection, compilation and analysis of program activity data; develops and presents comprehensive statistical and narrative program reports.
• Manages and oversees the implementation and facilitation of training plans to ensure personnel receive all training mandated by Texas Juvenile Justice Department and other regulatory standards.
• Serves as liaison between parents, Court, Law Enforcement, TJJD, School Districts, Community agencies, and other professional disciplines.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:

• Excellent customer service and communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
• Must be able to stay organized and know how to prioritize the workload.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Competency with computers and Microsoft Office 365 Suite.
• Advanced analytical skills.
• Knowledge of Texas Juvenile Justice Code, Texas Juvenile Justice Department Standards, and all applicable statutes.
• Knowledge of the principles and techniques of effective verbal and written communication; ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments
• Ability to work independently
• Knowledge of current and best practices related to the custody and care of juvenile offenders in a secure detention/residential setting
• Ability to work effectively with other professional personnel in a variety of support activities, including policy development, research activities, and grant applications.
• Ability to effectively communicate and engage with youth, families, crime victims, staff, educators, law enforcement, attorneys, treatment providers, regulators, TJJD personnel, and community stakeholders.

• Bachelor’s degree
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in Social Services or a related field.
• A minimum of three (3) years’ experience in an administrative capacity supervising programs and/or operations.
• Certification as a Texas Juvenile Probation Officer and Juvenile Supervision Officer.
• Valid Texas Driver’s License and Auto Liability Insurance.
• Ability to be certified in CPR, First Aid and Non-Violent Physical Restraint.

Preferred Requirements:

• Masters degree preferred.
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in an administrative capacity supervising programs and operations, with at least three of those in a residential or secure detention setting, preferred.

While performing the duties of this position, the incumbent may be required to bend, hear, see, read, keyboard, sit, stand, walk, talk, work alone and with others, and work overtime. Must be able to lift up to 25lbs.