Juvenile Probation Officer

Westmoreland-County; Greensburg (Westmoreland County); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Job summary

Westmoreland County is seeking a Juvenile Probation Officer to uphold the Pennsylvania Juvenile Act, ensuring supervision, accountability, and rehabilitation for youth in the juvenile justice system.

The role emphasizes evidence-based practices, collaboration with court personnel, treatment providers, and families to reduce recidivism and promote positive outcomes for youth and the community.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in behavioral or social sciences or equivalent.
• Eligible for Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance, PA State Police, and FBI background checks.
• Valid Pennsylvania driver’s license.
• Complete minimum 40 hours of annual professional development as required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct interviews/investigations with youth, family, victims and relevant parties.
• Develop and monitor case plans addressing criminogenic risk and needs.
• Provide supervision and interventions aligned with Balanced and Restorative Justice.
• Document progress, maintain accurate records, and communicate with courts and stakeholders.
• Refer youth/families to community services and monitor outcomes.

Skills

Integrity

Code of Ethics

Policy Adherence

Communication

Collaboration

Professional Development

Motivational Interviewing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in behavioral or social sciences

Job description

A Juvenile Probation Officer performs duties and responsibilities consistent with the requirements of the Pennsylvania Juvenile Act, Rules of Juvenile Court Procedure, Principles of Balanced and Restorative Justice, and Juvenile Justice Evidence-Based Practices. The mission and purpose of the Juvenile Act mandates that youth who commit delinquent acts be provided “programs of supervision, care and rehabilitation which provide balanced attention to the protection of the community, the imposition of accountability for offenses committed and the development of competencies to enable children to become responsible and productive members of the community," which fully embrace the principles of Balanced and Restorative Justice. Evidence-based Practices employ assessments, interventions, and treatment approaches that have been demonstrated by sound research to work most effectively to reduce recidivism with juvenile offenders, and enables Pennsylvania’s Juvenile Justice System to fulfill its mission and purpose. In order to adequately perform these duties and responsibilities, a juvenile probation officer needs to possess, develop, and continually refine the following knowledge, skills, and abilities.

A career with Westmoreland County offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of our residents while serving one of Pennsylvania's most vibrant and growing communities.

County employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, a competitive retirement plan, generous paid time off, and opportunities for professional growth and career advancement. We are committed to supporting our workforce through programs and resources that promote both personal and professional success.

Westmoreland County fosters a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive work environment where dedication, integrity, innovation, and public service are valued and recognized. With diverse career opportunities across numerous departments and unions, employees can build rewarding careers while contributing to the health, safety, and well‑being of our community.

Join a team that is committed to excellence in public service and dedicated to making a positive difference every day. Westmoreland County is proud to attract and retain talented professionals who are passionate about serving others and helping shape the future of our region.

Follow the link below to learn more about all that Westmoreland County has to offer:

https://www.westmorelandcountypa.gov/2377/You-Belong-Here

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Department Standards and Policies

1. Work and Conduct Supports Mission and Goals of the Department/Judiciary
   • Demonstrates personal integrity and abides by the Code of Ethics
   • Follows judicial polices/directives
   • Follows departmental polices
   • Demonstrates a willingness to employ Evidence Based Practices to reach departmental goals.
2. Attentive to Departmental Safety Regulations/Policies
   • Follows departmental safety regulations/polices
   • Completes required training and properly uses methods for managing angry or physically assaultive individuals

Professional Alliance and Growth

1. Communicates Effectively with Departmental Employees, Juvenile Court Personnel, Victims, and all External Stakeholders.
   • Is authentic, attentive, and articulates effectively when communicating with others
   • Is confident, respectful, and professional in all interactions
   • Written and verbal communications are purposeful and timely
   • Accepts responsibility, is responsive to suggestions and demonstrates the ability to be flexible, making appropriate adjustments when necessary
2. Works Collaboratively with Workgroups/Teams/Committees
   • Works collaboratively with others to prevent or resolve conflicts by gathering relevant information and evaluating alternatives, before making a decision
   • Willing to accept new duties
   • Volunteers and actively participates in committees/workgroups
3. Seeks Opportunities for Professional Development
   • Completes required training hours
   • Willingly participates in training to address needs identified through audits/formal observations, supervisor feedback, and personnel evaluations
   • Keeps informed of best practices and issues in the field

Case Management and Supervision

1. Risk Reduction
   • Makes appropriate referrals for juveniles and families based on the principles of risk, need and responsivity
   • Provides appropriate information, per departmental policy, to the treatment/referral agency and obtains required documents from the treatment/referral agency
   • Communicates with service providers to support the achievement of identified goals
2. Accountability Measures
   • Makes referrals to restorative programs, as appropriate
   • Monitors payments of restitution and reports arrears in accordance with department policy and court requirements
   • Makes timely referrals and oversees completion of community service
3. Screening/Assessment Tools
   • Utilizes effective information gathering techniques
   • Completes the screening/assessment tool in a detailed and timely manner
   • Scoring of the screening/assessment tool is reliable and valid
   • Level of supervision and risk assessment overrides are explained and documented per departmental policy
4. Case Planning
   • Prepares for development of initial case plan by identifying criminogenic needs and considers strategies for engaging juveniles in setting goals related to increased competencies
   • Strengths are identified and included in the case planning process
   • Collaborates with juvenile and family in developing and prioritizing goals to be incorporated into the case plan
   • Develops a case plan which incorporates specific action steps while addressing responsivity needs
   • When appropriate, case plans include linkage to agency involvement and treatment plans
5. Motivational Interviewing
   • Demonstrates the use of Motivational Interviewing skills during daily interactions
   • Employs Motivational Interviewing skills to enhance the quality of case management focusing on positive behavior change
   • Listens effectively and encourages others to speak candidly; Participates in ongoing practice through the completion of recordings and/or direct observations per departmental policy
   • Utilizes effective Motivational Interviewing to assist the juvenile in strengthening motivation and adherence to probation requirements
6. Day-to-Day Supervision
   • Meets contact standards as required by departmental policy
   • Makes contact with family, schools, placements, and community
   • Monitors compliance with court requirements and laws
   • Utilizes assessment results, case plan, skill building and structured sessions to focus discussions with juveniles around behavior change
   • Monitors progress, identifies barriers and assists juveniles in solving problems to promote behavior change by utilizing client-centered skill building activities
7. Graduated Responses
   • Attentive to positive behavior and achievements and utilizes incentives to reinforce behavior change
   • Recommends graduated sanctions for non-compliance in accordance with departmental policy/court directives
8. Documentation
   • Case notes are objective, timely, concise, and thorough
   • Case notes adequately summarize significant events or non-compliance
   • Case notes routinely summarize progress on supervision plan goals
   • Data entry into JCMS and other data sources is timely, accurate, and complete
   • Reports are factual, grammatically correct, and filed in a timely manner
9. Court Duties/Recommendations
   • Timely and complete preparation of all court documents
   • Concise and clear recommendations to the courts based on a thorough analysis and summary of the case, including risk-level and identified needs (both criminogenic and special)
   • Prepared and on time for all court related meetings
   • Professional courtroom demeanor

Examples of Work Performed

1. Receives, reviews, and evaluates delinquent allegations of youth
2. Conducts interviews and investigations with youth, family, victims and other relevant individuals/entities, in the field or office.
3. Administers and interprets screening and/or assessments instruments, including the Youth Level of Service (YLS), Pennsylvania
4. Prepares reports and makes recommendations to the Juvenile Court based on interviews, investigations, and results of screening and/or assessments instruments
5. Prepares a case plan to address criminogenic risk/need domains consistent with the principles of Balanced and Restorative Justice to ensure that balanced attention is provided to the needs of the community, the victim, and the offender
6. Provides supervision and interventions based upon case plan, conditions of probation, and Orders of the Court, in the field or in the office.
7. Assures adherence to victims’ rights in accordance with the Pennsylvania Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights
8. Establishes a plan for collection of restitution ordered by the Juvenile Court and/or other reparations to the victim so ordered by the Court
9. Collaborates with the youth’s family and community resources based on case plan
10. Provides directly and/or facilitates individual and/or group cognitive behavioral and skill building interventions for youth based on training and expertise to address identified criminogenic risk/needs
11. Makes referrals for community-based services for youth based on case plan and monitors and assesses progress
12. Employs graduated response systems to encourage and support desired behaviors and discourage and hold youth accountable for undesired behaviors
13. Takes into custody and places in an alternative to detention program or detains in secure detention facility based on risk to appear for hearings and/or commit additional delinquent acts while pending a hearing before the Juvenile Court Judge
14. Makes referral to residential services and monitors progress based on the criminogenic risk/needs identified in the case plan
15. Maintains detailed and accurate records of the youth’s progress and compliance with the requirements of the case plan and conditions of probation
16. Evaluates and makes recommendations for discharge of the youth from Juvenile Court supervision
17. Other duties, as required

Education, Experience, Certifications, and Professional Development

1. Minimum requirement for employment as a juvenile probation officer is a bachelor’s degree, with a background of at least 18 credits in the behavioral or social sciences from an accredited college or university.
2. Prior to employment will be required to obtain Child Abuse Clearance, and Pennsylvania State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation Criminal Background Checks
3. Required to maintain a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license
4. Upon employment complete a minimum of 40 hours of annual professional development as recommended by the Juvenile Court Judge’s Commission/Center for Juvenile Justice Training & Research Training Policy.

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