JUVENILE PROBATION OFFICER I

McLennan County (TX); Waco (TX); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

McLennan County Juvenile Court seeks a dedicated casework professional to manage referrals, prepare social histories, document cases, and coordinate court hearings for youth under jurisdiction or diversion. You will maintain thorough records, ensure due process, and collaborate with families, attorneys, and agencies to secure appropriate placements.

Ideal candidates hold a Bachelor's in behavioral science or criminal justice, Texas probation certification or eligibility, and a valid Texas driver

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferably in a behavioral science or criminal justice.
• Must be certified juvenile probation officer or eligible for certification by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department.
• 1 year of experience in a social service agency (1-year graduate study in criminology, law, social work, psychology or sociology may substitute).
• Current and valid Texas driver's license and safe driving record.
• Must be a certified probation officer when hired or able to obtain certification and knowledge of the Texas Juvenile Justice Code.
• Ability to work with hostile 'at risk' clients and their parents.
• Supervises clients on probation, sets goals with clients and helps clients reach their goals through supervision case management.
• (BILINGUAL) Fluent Spanish speaking with excellent communication and interpersonal skills (preferred).

Responsibilities

• Keeps timely chronological documentation of cases.
• Receives offense referrals and performs preliminary investigations.
• Prepares social histories.
• Dispositions case records.
• Maintains timely personal or personnel paperwork including monthly reports, time sheets, and case tracking.
• Complies with legal requirements to ensure juveniles receive full due process.
• Maintains contact with parents, attorneys, law enforcement and community agencies.
• Coordinates/participates in all aspects of court hearings.
• Makes appropriate referrals to other agencies.
• Seeks/secures alternative placement for juveniles.
• Transports 'at risk' clients.
• Regular attendance and timeliness are required.

Skills

1 year social service experience

Texas driver license

Certified probation officer / eligible

Work with hostile at-risk clients

Supervises probation clients

Bilingual Spanish (preferred)

Education

Bachelor's degree in behavioral science or criminal justice

Certified juvenile probation officer or eligible (Texas JJD)

Job description

To provide efficient and effective casework services for those children who are diverted or who are under the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court of McLennan County.

• Keeps timely chronological documentation of cases
• Receives offense referrals and performs preliminary investigations
• Prepares social histories
• Dispositions case records
• Maintains timely personal or personnel paperwork to include monthly reports, time sheets, and case tracking
• Complies with legal requirements to ensure juveniles receive full benefits of due process
• Maintains contact with parents, attorneys, law enforcement and community agencies
• Coordinates / participates in all aspects of court hearings
• Makes appropriate referrals to other agencies
• Seeks / secures alternative placement for juveniles
• Transports "at risk" clients
• Regular attendance and timeliness are required

EDUCATION:

Required

• Bachelor's degree preferably in a behavioral science or criminal justice
• Must be certified juvenile probation officer or eligible for certification by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department

SKILLS ~ EXPERIENCE:

Required:

• 1 year of experience in a social service agency (1-year graduate study in criminology, law, social work, psychology or sociology may be substituted for the one-year social service agency experience requirement)
• Current and Valid Texas driver's license and safe driving record
• Must be a certified probation officer when hired or able to obtain certification and have knowledge of the Texas Juvenile Justice Code
• Must also have an ability to work with hostile "at risk" clients and their parents
• Supervises clients on probation, sets goals with clients and helps clients reach their goals through supervision case management

Preferred:

• (BILINGUAL) Fluent Spanish Speaking with excellent communication and interpersonal skills

DISCLAIMER:

McLennan County will conduct background checks on new hires that will include a criminal background check related to convictions and deferred adjudications in the past ten years and may include credit reports, motor vehicle records, employment records, and educational attainment. A conviction or deferred adjudication is not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered individually.

All Employees

• Must be committed to achieving excellence in assigned duties, always in service of the county and community
• Must have ability to earn and keep the trust of fellow employees and the community at large
• Must be dependable as an encouraging force for team morale and in overall attendance
• Must be approachable and ready to help fellow employees and the general public

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS:

• Contact with "at risk" clients and persons accursed or adjudicated of misdemeanor and felony offenses, visitors and the general public.
• Work is performed mostly indoors in a 24-hour/7-day confined, security facility
• Climate controlled facility

PHYSICAL DEMAND REQUIREMENTS:

• The individual must be able to physically restrain residents exhibiting disruptive behavior in a safe manner in accordance with the behavior management training
• Repetitive hand motions
• Frequent sitting, some standing, occasional walking and light lifting
• Must be able to pass a pre-employment physical and drug screen

HOURS / SPECIAL CONDITIONS:

Regular schedule is Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This position may be required to work a flexible schedule based on the needs of the facility. Assigned on-call duty on rotating basis.