BCJPD - Senior Probation Officer

Bexar County; United States; On-site; USD 65,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

Bexar County Juvenile Probation Department is seeking a Senior Probation Officer to manage a caseload of juvenile offenders, performing home, school, and office visits with detailed progress reports for court proceedings.

You will develop individual supervision plans, counsel youth and families, and represent the department in court and detention hearings. The role may include on‑the‑job training for new officers and coordinating parent trainings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree conferred by a college or university accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board plus two years of social service experience.
• One year of graduate study in criminology, corrections, counseling, or related field may substitute for one year of casework experience.

Responsibilities

• Monitors a caseload of juvenile offenders and conducts home, school and office visits.
• Prepares chronological reports for court proceedings and treatment purposes.
• Develops individual supervision plans and counsels juveniles and families.
• Represents the department at court and detention hearings; conducts interviews.
• Provides on-the-job training to new Probation Officers and may facilitate trainings.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Case management

Criminal justice knowledge

Writing reports

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Two years social service experience

Job description

Senior Probation Officer

Job Title BCJPD - Senior Probation Officer Pay Rate Min to Mid Range Time Type Full time Summary Description Bexar County Juvenile Probation Department Senior Probation Officer $28.22 starting hourly rate. $6,000.00 additional base pay from Texas Juvenile Justice Department, total annual amount. $2,424.00 certification pay upon certification, total annual amount.

Summary Description

SUMMARY: The overall purpose and general responsibilities of the job. Monitors a caseload of juvenile offenders, including conducting home, school, and office visits; preparing chronological reports to document progress for court proceedings and treatment purposes; conducts interviews; prepares social history investigations; develops individual supervision plans; counsels juveniles and families; represents the department at court and detention hearings; provides on-the-job training to new Probation Officers; and/or facilitates parent trainings and attends meetings and training sessions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Assists on-the-job training to new Probation Officers; Monitors a caseload of offenders, including conducting home, school, and office visits, and preparing chronological reports to document progress for court proceedings and treatment purposes; Conducts interviews with offenders and/or their families to collect background information, including social history investigations; Develops individual supervision plans for juveniles and counsels juveniles and families, including attending subsequent school, therapeutic, and other related meetings; Prepares and files court papers such as requests for petitions, motions to modify dispositions, and affidavits requesting a directive to apprehend, and serves summonses; Represents the department at court hearings and detention hearings; Refers juveniles and families for outside services such as counseling; Administers drug tests on juveniles; Transports juveniles/families to appointments; Attends training sessions; Assists with unit caseload as necessary; Facilitates and/or coordinates education/awareness groups to children and/or parents; and Provides community and school presentations about probation and may serve as group facilitator. Other duties may be assigned.

Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree conferred by a college or university accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board plus two years of social service experience. One year of experience must include full-time casework, counseling, or community or group work in a social service, community, corrections, or juvenile agency that deals with juvenile age youth. One year of graduate study in criminology, corrections, counseling, law, social work, psychology, sociology, or other related field may be substituted for the one year of casework experience.

Special Requirements

Must secure and maintain certification as a Juvenile Probation Officer by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department. Must secure and maintain a favorable background investigation. Must clear a psychological assessment, a pre-employment physical and a pre-employment drug screen test. Must have a valid driver’s license, motor vehicle liability insurance, personal injury insurance and a personal vehicle or alternate available means of transportation. Must have a cell phone. Required to be on call 24 hours a day. May be required to work more than 40 hours during the workweek.

Knowledge

Knowledge of case management practices; knowledge of basic individual and group counseling techniques; knowledge of support service programs and eligibility requirements; knowledge of mediation and behavior modification techniques; knowledge of issues affecting troubled adolescents; knowledge of social services delivery network; knowledge of Texas Juvenile Justice Department and residential placement facilities; knowledge of juvenile law, Texas Juvenile Justice Code, and Texas Family Code; knowledge of DSM-V terminology and court procedures; and knowledge of word processing software and other computer applications utilized by the department.

Skills

Must have interpersonal skills to interact effectively with troubled juveniles, co-workers, and the general public; skills in dealing with juveniles and families in crisis; and skill in interpreting regulatory legislation regarding court orders and probation conditions.

Abilities

Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing; ability to communicate effectively with hostile, abusive or irrational individuals; ability to obtain and organize information; ability to operate personal computer and basic office equipment; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, County employees, outside organizations, attorneys and the general public; ability to work closely with court officials on cases; ability to manage time effectively; ability to interpret legal statutes; ability to analyze reports and create strategic and tactical plans;

Supervision and Responsibility

Job has significant impact on division/program operations and public image. Responsible for explaining to juveniles and family members, the conditions of supervision and consequences of failure to comply. Employee receives direction when performing the essential functions. Employee selects appropriate procedures required to complete work assignments. No supervision of other employees is required.

Judgment, initiative and decision-making

Independent judgment is required to explain detention/probation/court orders and conditions to juveniles and family members. Uses moderate discretion to complete work assignments. Initiative is constantly required to complete work assignments. Conflicting or incomplete data is constantly encountered in decision-making. Decisions are made regarding legislative interpretation, program planning and individual work priorities.

Contacts

Constant contact with co-workers. Frequent contact with juveniles, other County employees, other government agencies, outside organizations, and the general public. Communication is primarily in person, via telephone and through written correspondence.

Working Conditions

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. Working conditions are primarily inside an office environment with frequent local travel. The employee must be able to react professionally and safely under potential or actual volatile conditions. The employee has frequent contact with other employees both within and outside of the assigned division, law enforcement and juvenile justice system officials, and probationers and their families. The employee must remain calm and professional in tense, emotionally charged, and stressful situations. The employee frequently must work under time pressures to meet deadlines and must perform multiple tasks simultaneously. The employee must work closely with others as part of and/or a leader of a team. The employee constantly must present a positive attitude as a role model in the community. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, but may be noisy and distracting.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the essential duties of this job, the employee regularly is required to sit at a desk or in a vehicle, and frequently is required to stand and walk on various types of surfaces. The employee constantly is required to reach with hands and arms, bend and kneel, and talk and hear. The employee must be able to use hands and fingers to write and/or type reports into computer. The employee frequently must lift and/or move objects weighing up to 20 pounds, such as files and stacks of records. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Department Job Requirements

Staff members may work in any of the divisions identified below. Field Probation & Court Services Division Specialized Supervision & Interventions Division Behavioral Health Programs & Support Division Working With Bexar County Bexar County offers employees a competitive salary, retirement, and benefits. Many employee benefits are available to an employee’s spouse/plus one qualifying adult and dependent child(ren). Employee benefits are strategically designed to support an employee and family, work/life balance.

Employee Benefits

Employee Benefits | Bexar County, TX - Official Website Bexar County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to Workplace Diversity. We are committed to providing equal opportunity for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Are you looking to join a team that values respect, integrity, teamwork, accountability, and excellence? Become one of our 5,000+ public servants committed to building a better community through quality services.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Bexar County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and committed to Workplace Diversity. We are committed to providing equal opportunity for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Company Culture and Additional Information

With nearly 5,000 employees from diverse backgrounds and disciplines, Bexar County offers a wide range of opportunities. Our 18 locations and campuses throughout the county jurisdiction are testament to our expansive reach. As public servants, Bexar County employees are dedicated to enhancing our community through exceptional service. Join us and become part of an organization that values accountability, professionalism, and innovation, all while striving for excellence in service. At Bexar County, we are committed to fostering a positive work environment that emphasizes reciprocity, professional growth, and a healthy work/life balance. This mutual commitment is evident in the strong bonds we maintain with our employees, even into their retirement.