TITLE: JUVENILE ASSESSMENT SPECIALIST

LOCATION: 18TH JUVENILE ASSESSMENT CENTER (JAC), CENTENNIAL, CO

SALARY RANGE: $45,011 to $48,380 DOQ and SHIFT worked

POSITION STATUS: Full Time, Non-Exempt, Health and Welfare Benefit Eligible

We are hiring for a Juvenile Assessment Specialist who will be responsible for assessing, referring, and supporting youth and families within the 18th Judicial District community, which includes Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert, and Lincoln Counties. Currently Hiring for multiple positions working FIRST Shift between 6am and 2pm and SECOND shift 2pm and 10pm. Weekend days are required in all schedule variations. Overnight shift differential for all hours worked between 10pm-6AM. Spanish Speaking staff receive an additional language stipend. 

The position may vary from introductory to an intermediate level of experience. An introductory employee receives on the job training, attends in service training programs, and receives close supervision while learning to perform a range of Juvenile Assessment Specialist assignments. An intermediate level staff works in a developing capacity with increased responsibility for providing a range of Juvenile Assessment Specialist assignments. Opportunity to move to mid- and day shifts as those shifts open up based on seniority.

AGENCY INFORMATION

The Juvenile Assessment Center (JAC) is a nonprofit organization contributing to the safety of youth, families, and the communities of Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties through immediate screening, early intervention, comprehensive assessment and improved access to appropriate services. The JAC Law Enforcement Program has two offices with the main office being located inside of the Family Resource Pavilion (FRP). The second LEP office is located inside of Marvin W. Foote Youth Services Center, which is the Division of Youth Services Center for the 18th Judicial District.

It is the mission of the Juvenile Assessment Center to provide a coordinated, multi-agency, single entry site, which contributes to the safety of youth, families, and the community through early intervention, comprehensive assessment and improved access to appropriate services.

DUTIES (Brief Description)

This job description indicates in general the nature of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions expected of the position. It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list. Other duties may also be required.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities of the Position:

Assessments

• Facilitate assessments and interviews to determine appropriate services/interventions
• Provide screening to determine if youth are eligible to be detained
• Communicate with partnering agencies
• Supervise youth while at the JAC

• Make appropriate referrals to community services based on client information, assessment outcomes, and family’s willingness to participate
• Work with parents or guardians to coordinate care
• Collaborate with partnering agencies
• Maintain current and accurate records and notes
• Compose reports based on assessments, interviews, and collateral information (CYDC, Court, District Attorney, Public Defender, Human Services, and Probation)
• Utilize assessments to create case plans
• Refer for services
• Communicate progress with key stakeholders

 Other Duties

• Attend meetings, subcommittees, and work groups when deemed appropriate
• Establish strong working relationships within the community
• Participate in supervision
• Engage in improving the overall function of the juvenile justice system within the 18th Judicial District
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications (Must have a BA or BS from accredited college or university)

• Must have graduated from an accredited college or university with a preferred Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, social work, psychology or other closely related field.
• If graduating in the Fall of 2023 please know we would still be interested in meeting with you and would be willing and able to hire you on to begin training. Once graduated you would be able to move into your position.

Required Competencies (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities):

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent organization skills
• Strong writing skills
• Ability to manage several projects at the same time while meeting deadlines 
• Ability to problem solve and to make appropriate decisions
• Ability to comply with established rules, statutes, policies and procedures
• Ability to be respectful of others beliefs, values, and culture
• Ability to develop rapport with professionals from various agencies 
• Ability to establish and model healthy boundaries 
• Ability to exercise discretion (e.g. client confidentiality) 
• Proficient in Microsoft Office programs and ability to learn software programs

Preferred Qualifications: 

• ­Bi-lingual (Spanish) candidates must be fluent in both Spanish and English and have demonstrated ability to translate written documents from English to Spanish and Spanish to English
• ­Understanding of the juvenile justice system
• ­Experience working with TRAILS database and/or CSC Data Access
• ­Experience providing services to juveniles in the juvenile justice system
• ­Experience working with youth outside of the juvenile justice system 
• ­Experience working in the justice system
• ­Experience working in the human services field
• ­Experience with Evidence Based Practices 

Conditions of Employment: 

­Must agree to fingerprinting and criminal background check. Required background checks include a review with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) AND the Central Registry of Child Protection (TRAILS).

Vaccination Status: Must have COVID Vaccine by time of hire. Required for work in facility.

­Subject to pre-employment, post-accident or incident or reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing.

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 duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk, use hands to operate, finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

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.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate. 

 BENEFITS:

• Full Medical and Dental (Free for Employee, Additional Cost for Family/Dependents)
• Paid Vacation and Sick time (up to 20 hours earned each month)
• Paid Holidays (14 paid holidays every calendar year)
• Yearly Training Stipend
• Yearly Team Building Events
• Potential to qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Plan (PSLF)- The JAC is a Non-Profit Organization
• Retirement Match (After One Year)
• Bilingual staff receive an annual stipend of $650

The Juvenile Assessment Center is an equal opportunity employer and seeks a diverse pool of applicants.

Questions may be directed to Zach Abdelbaki at ZAbdelbaki@ArapahoeGov.Com