Bilingual Juvenile Service Specialist

The Position

Incumbent works under the direction of the Juvenile Assessment Center Director performing professional juvenile justice including assessment, referral and case management service to youthful offenders and those at risk of offending and involving direct contact with youth, parents, counselors, lawyers and other professionals regarding youth and families in need of services and interventions.

Essential Functions

• Administer and interpret screening/assessment instruments and conduct interviews to determine risks and needs of youth.
• Collaborate with youth and families to develop individual plans including services for rehabilitation, growth, learning, development and/or any support necessary.
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with clients, supervisors, County employees, elected officials, attorneys, law enforcement, judges, other agencies, and the public.
• Comply with Civil Service Rules, collective bargaining agreements, County policies, department policies and laws to create a cooperative, safe, respectful and quality work environment.
• Learn and retain knowledge, developing competencies in critical areas (e.g. diversity, equity and inclusion, behavioral/mental health, restorative practices, adolescent brain development, evidence-based practice, positive youth development, child abuse/neglect, domestic violence, education/academic supports).
• Complete community service provider referrals and appointments.
• Provide casework services to assist clients in attaining social, educational and vocational goals; maintain contact with service providers regarding client's progress. Prepare and maintain records (e.g. reports, forms, letters, documents).
• Maintain and organize client case files utilizing the automated Case Management System and required physical files.
• Respond to parental and/or community requests for assistance.
• Attend and actively participate in all required training.
• Report to work with regular, consistent attendance.
• Perform other duties as assigned and directed.

Education and Work Experience and Other Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work, Psychology, Criminal Justice, or Human Services required.*
• One (1) year of experience in juvenile justice, mental health, or a related field preferred.
• One (1) year of experience using MSOffice required.
• Completion of a pre-employment criminal record check and conditional offer drug screen required.
• Combined equivalent work experience and education may be substituted for requirements on a year-for-year basis.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• The physical demands and work environment characteristics 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.
• Work is generally performed in an office setting and occasionally at other locations. Noise level is usually moderate. Work hours are typically standard day-shift hours; however, schedule may vary throughout the work week. Work may be stressful when dealing with multiple/changing priorities, time constraints, limited resources and uncooperative/irate individuals. Work involves interacting with youth involved with the justice system and/or families within child welfare, justice (youth or adult) system or both systems.
• Work requires some physical activity, including extended periods of sitting and standing and occasional walking, balancing, kneeling, bending, and reaching. Work also requires the ability to frequently lift/carry objects weighing up to 10 pounds and occasionally up to 25 pounds.
• Required sensory abilities include vision, hearing and touch. Visual abilities, correctable to normal ranges, include close, distance and color vision and the ability to adjust focus. Communication abilities include the ability to talk and hear within normal ranges. Incumbent must possess the hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate computers and other equipment.

Douglas County is an EOE - Disability/Veterans