Residential Treatment Officer Sr.

Travis County; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Travis County seeks a qualified professional to supervise and intervene with juvenile clients in a residential program. The role involves implementing treatment plans, ensuring safety, and directing daily activities to support rehabilitation and accountability. Includes documenting behavior and leading other detention staff.

The position requires a Bachelor's degree in a related field and 3 years in social services or criminal justice, with certification eligibility and CPR/First Aid training.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Social or Behavioral Sciences or a related field.
• Three (3) years of experience in social services, criminal justice or related field.
• Must be at least 21 years old and eligible for juvenile certification.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct supervision and treatment intervention for juvenile clients in a residential program.
• Develop and implement treatment plans and disciplinary strategies.
• Document client behavior for use in the juvenile justice system.
• Train staff and act as a working lead over other juvenile detention positions.
• Ensure environment is safe, secure and compliant with procedures.

Skills

Supervisory skills

Patient handling

Problem solving

Verbal and written communication

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice or related field

Tools

Computer literacy

Job description

Provides direct supervision and treatment intervention of juvenile clients assigned to a residential treatment program. Maintains security, control and guidance of detained juvenile clients in order to facilitate treatment, prevent harm and provide for their safety during all daily activities. Recommends and implements available treatment plans and corrective disciplinary strategies. Documents client behavior for use within the juvenile justice system. Trains staff and functions as a working lead over other juvenile detention positions.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

This is the fifth in a series of five juvenile residential treatment-related job classifications within the Court Services job family. This classification provides supervision to clients who have been placed in the juvenile residential facility by the court system. Duties performed are of the most complex nature and type. This classification typically functions as a working lead over the activities of other juvenile residential treatment positions in addition to the normal range of duties. This classification may require work in secure facilities. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

• Provides direct supervision of all client daily activities. Maintains accountability of all clients and equipment and ensures that the environment is safe, clean and secure.
• Assesses juveniles, develops and implements available treatment plans, corrective disciplinary strategies and effective treatment intervention programs. Ensures that clients are aware of and understand their responsibilities and appropriate behavior.
• Conducts cognitive skill groups and teamwork activities. Models competency in direct care principles for less experienced staff.
• Documents clients' behavior for use within the juvenile justice system. Develops strategies for case management.
• Functions as a working lead over other juvenile residential positions. Trains, assigns and reviews work of employees.
• Provides individual and crisis intervention counseling, as required.
• Ensures environment is safe and clean. Maintains order and discipline.
• Physically restrains aggressive clients using approved protocols, as required.
• Transports clients to other facilities, as required.
• Serves on committees and participates in special projects.
• Maintains communication with other staff to ensure continuity of care.
• Assists in investigating incidents involving clients.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Social or Behavioral Sciences or a directly related field AND three (3) years experience in social services, criminal justice or a directly related field;

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:

• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Certification as a Juvenile Probation Officer and Detention Officer or eligible for certification within six (6) months of date of hire, including successful completion of Cardio-pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification, First Aid and Handle with Care (state approved physical restraint technique).
• Valid Texas Driver's License.
• Physical Exam, Drug Test, Alcohol Test, Psychological Exam

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Supervisory principles, practices and techniques.
• Policies, practices, procedures and legal terminology related to court system.
• Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations, guidelines and applicable juvenile justice system standards and procedures.
• Standard practices in area of assignment.
• Psychological concepts of good behavior, social adjustment and emotional stability.
• Standard counseling techniques.
• Safety and security techniques and standards.
• Physical restraint techniques to control aggressive behavior.
• First aid techniques.
• Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages.
• Knowledge of and adherence to HIPAA and other federal and state laws requiring the confidential handling of certain health information.

Skill in:

• Training, supervising and reviewing the work of others.
• Monitoring and responding to client behavior.
• Problem-solving and decision-making.
• Interviewing clients.
• Both verbal and written communication.

Ability to:

• 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.
• Conduct investigations and report results clearly, accurately and impartially.
• Perform in a stressful environment while maintaining a professional manner.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, representatives of outside agencies, other County employees and officials, representatives of the juvenile justice system and the general public.

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 50-100 pounds, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and basic 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 stressful environment and client and customer contact for extended periods of time.

Work Hours: 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM, 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM, 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM (Must be able to work all three shifts as needed.)

Works some holidays, nights and weekends

Department: Juvenile Probation

Location: 2515 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704

Criminal, Driving, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required.

For updates or questions on this position, contact: Alana Terry-Ramos at [e-mail].

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

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. You must ensure your application accurately reflects your skills and abilities as they relate to the position. Only periods of employment and experience detailed in the "Work Experience" section of the application will be considered in determining which applicants move forward in the selection process, as well as determining pay level for candidate(s) recommended for hire.