CSCD Case Work Specialist I

Travis County; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 48,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Travis County in Austin seeks a Probation Officer I to supervise indirect clients and those on Pre-Trial Diversion. You will document contacts, monitor compliance, and coordinate case transfers to receiving agencies.

This role requires an associate degree in Criminal Justice or related field, valid Texas Driver’s License, and the ability to work under stress with integrity.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Knowledge of court system procedures and community supervision standards.
• Valid Texas Driver’s License required.

Responsibilities

• Supervise indirect clients placed on community supervision by the courts.
• Document all contacts and relevant facts or events in a client’s life.
• Respond to administrative violations and prepare modification requests.
• Explain case transfer procedures and prepare transfer packets for receiving counties/states.
• Ensure all monetary obligations are collected and cases are prepared for potential discharge.

Skills

Interviewing clients

Verbal communication

Written communication

Time management

Teamwork

Decision making

Education

Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice or related field

Equivalent combination of education and experience

Tools

Word processing

Spreadsheets

Databases

Job description

Interviews clients directly after sentencing in court for those who have been placed on community supervision and those residing out of Travis County (indirect clients) and prepares appropriate paperwork to transfer supervision of the case to the client's County of residence. Provides supervision to indirect clients who have been placed on community supervision by the courts, enforces conditions of community supervision, and monitors aspects of casework related to the conditions of community supervision. Provides supervision for individuals who have been placed on Pre-Trial Diversion by the County Attorney, assures their compliance with the orders as set forth by the County Attorney, and monitors all aspects related to the client's Orders of the County Attorney.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is the first in a series of five probation-related job classifications within the Courts job family. This classification provides supervision to indirect clients who have been placed on community supervision by the courts. Client caseload consists of indirect or Pre-Trial Diversion clients. Cases are staffed with higher-level community supervision staff.

• Provides supervision to indirect clients who have been placed on community supervision by the courts.
• Documents all contacts and all pertinent facts and events occurring in client's life, including issues of compliance and noncompliance.
• Documents collateral contacts, referrals, correspondence, and any and all other pertinent information.
• Responds to administrative violations per policy, requests offense reports, and prepares requests to amend conditions of probation.
• Transfers cases to Probation Officer for violation reports and direct supervision.
• Explains the case transfer procedures and expectations to the client, prepares and sends the transfer packet to the appropriate receiving County/State.
• Ensures all money owed by client is collected and all conditions are completed 90 days prior to the date of discharge.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice or a directly related field.

OR,

Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:

Valid Texas Driver’s License.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Policies, practices, procedures and legal terminology related to court system.
• Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations, guidelines and applicable community supervision services standards and procedures.
• Standard practices in area of assignment.
• Psychological concepts of good behavior, social adjustment and emotional stability.
• Casework techniques.
• Principles and procedures of record keeping and file management.
• Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages.
• Business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation.

Skill in:

• Problem-solving and decision-making.
• Interviewing clients.
• Both verbal and written communication.

Ability to:

• Make contact with clients, in person or via correspondence, and report results clearly, accurately and impartially.
• 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.
• Perform in a stressful environment while maintaining a professional manner.
• Document information, compile data and prepare a variety of memorandums or reports.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, representatives of outside agencies, other County employees and officials, attorneys, judges and the general public.

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 10-25 pounds, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, balancing, repetitive motion, and squatting to perform the essential functions. Subject to contact with communicable diseases, radiation, hazardous waste, human fecal matter and foul odors. Subject to client and customer contact for extended periods of time.

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.

Work Hours: Monday - Friday 8 am - 5 pm

Department: CSCD Adult Probation

Location: 4011 McKinney Falls Parkway Austin TX 78640

Criminal, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required.

For updates or questions about this posting, contact: [e-mail]