Intake/Diversion Officer

Objectives

Incumbent is responsible for ensuring due process, compliance with court-ordered terms, and providing case management, supervision, and support, using evidence-based techniques, for juveniles and families involved in the juvenile justice system. Incumbent is responsible for searching for alternatives to detention, when possible, while ensuring community safety. Incumbent reports to the Intake Supervisor and/or the Director of Court Services.

Job Standards

Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, Criminal Justice, Counseling, Psychology, Education, or a related field is required, along with related training and four (4) years of experience working with at-risk youth. Must have a valid Ohio driver’s license. Must assume a flexible work schedule and be available outside normal business hours.

Essential Functions

• Attends court hearings and provides consultation, information and/ or prepares, and presents recommendations;
• Attends daily intake triage meetings and screens all incoming referrals to determine appropriate course of action to be taken on any police report, school report or family report in an attempt to take the least restrictive measure needed to address the referral;
• Conducts assessments and collects collateral information including gathering school, mental health and other agency information to form a summary and risk assessment from which recommendations are made;
• Provides clients who are entering the system with a clear explanation of the court process;
• Maintains positive working relationship with juveniles and families of diverse cultural, racial, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds;
• Maintains client files including selected hold open, adjudicated, waiver, diversion and OVI cases;
• Meets with families on an informal basis to discuss the possible alternatives to filing an official complaint with Juvenile Court;
• Provides incentives, expectations, and consequences for youth on various levels of supervision;
• Administers drug and alcohol screenings/tests and prepares samples for the lab;
• Works with parents to establish positive parenting skills and with youth to promote positive behavior change;
• Provides crisis intervention for clients by assessing their situation and directing the family to suitable solutions or providing appropriate referrals;
• Handles detention hearings for new and existing youth entering the Juvenile Court;
• Participate, monitor and possibly update groups, positive activities, and programs as needed;
• Monitors youth in holding cells and provide transportation as necessary;
• Use evidence and strength-based practices to promote positive behavior change for juveniles involved in the juvenile justice system;
• Build and maintain positive relationship with juveniles, families, community partners and law enforcement;
• Receives and responds to calls from law enforcement personnel/agencies, including calls outside normal business hours and on weekends as well as participating in the on-call rotation; and
• Documents and maintains accurate and updated records using appropriate case management systems and databases.

Equal Opportunity Employer
M/F/D/V