Juvenile Probation Counselor

SUMMARY
This position is responsible for the case management of Juveniles under the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court, to include offender and non-offender cases, in their assigned program, including collaboration with local private and public agencies and service providers, with an end goal of supporting the Juvenile with rehabilitation efforts and to encourage positive behavioral changes.  Programs vary based on community and/or legislative needs.  Depending on the program, duties could include direct advocacy for children and supervision and training of volunteers advocating for children in the dependency process. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES

• Supervises, monitors, and provides counseling to juveniles and/or parents or legal guardians, and works with other organizations or individuals in the Juvenile’s life, in an effort to modify the juvenile’s behavior, attitudes, and self-concept.  
• Mediates crises situations, monitors client behavior, assesses and interviews juveniles for emotional, eligibility and/or legal needs for program participation.
• Assists with preparing and presenting testimony in Court on matters related to juveniles in offender and civil cases in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations. 
• Assesses risks, needs, and strengths of juveniles and implements a comprehensive case plan.
• Compiles assessment information from the juvenile, his/her parents, school officials, therapists, victims, peers, police, social workers, ministers, attorneys, judges, and other affiliated individuals.
• Continually monitors, tracks, records, and revises established comprehensive case plans to ensure optimal growth. 
• Files motions with the Court on juveniles who have failed to comply with the conditions of supervision (i.e., probation violations, revocations, contempt). 
• Researches and attends trainings as directed to maintain a good working knowledge of all statutes, and Washington Administrative Codes (WAC’s) as related to juveniles and the services provided to them.
• Attends and participates in various meetings workshops, and training sessions to improve communications, services, and abilities as they relate to the services provided by the Juvenile Department and community.  
• Works closely with the detention staff in case planning, ensuring that assigned juveniles receive the necessary and appropriate services. This includes, but is not limited to, providing information and on-going updates regarding the juvenile’s mental health status, medical needs, and program requirements.   
• Prepares and maintains client records, entering accurate case notes, records, and statistics related to the juveniles under supervision.  
• Delivers/refers to evidence-based programs or promising programs as well as makes referrals to community resources to meet the specific needs of the youth/family.
• Prepares and presents reports for the Court and testimony as directed or required.
• Participates in the short and long-term program and service planning of the Juvenile Department.
• Supports the initiatives and assists in the facilitation of various specialized Juvenile Court programs, trainings, or interventions. 
• Recruits, screens, trains, and supports the work of community volunteers.  
• Formulates diversion agreements and ensure completion of diversion contracts. 
• Participates in community engagement boards and assists schools in training and filing of truancy petitions.
• Helps with education, information, and support for parents/youth in the filing/case managing of ARY and CHINS cases.
• Serves legal papers, and subpoenas witnesses to support case management.
• Facilitates clinics and workshops as required.  
• May function as guardian ad litem (GAL) for dependent children or assist with supporting community volunteers who are serving as guardian ad litem for dependent children. 
• Collect DNA, conduct UA’s, and fingerprint as required and authorized by RCW’s.
• May represent program or division with local and state agencies and associations. Promotes educational and prevention programs with schools, civic groups, media and the general public

• Performs other duties as assigned.

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.

• Work may be performed in the following environmental conditions:

• constantly: in an office or courtroom environment, and 
• occasionally: near moving mechanical parts. 

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, a typical office environment.

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. 
The person in this position must be able to 

• spend the following amount of time in an activity: 

• constantly: sit for extended periods of time and use hands and/or fingers to handle, feel, or operate equipment or tools, and
• frequently: talk or hear and reach with hands and arms, and
• occasionally: stand or walk for extended periods of time, climb, pull, push or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

• have peripheral vision, depth perception, the ability to adjust focus, and have close vision (1-20 inches) and distance vision (20 feet or more).

QUALIFICATIONS
Education:  Bachelor's degree in social or behavioral sciences.
Experience: One (1) year direct service experience with clients in any of the following:  Juvenile Justice, CASA/GAL; Social Work; Volunteer Recruitment/Coordination  
In lieu of the listed qualifications, we will consider any combination of education and experience which provides the candidate with desired knowledge, skills, and ability to perform the job.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES, AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Must have a valid driver’s license and ability to maintain defensive driving certificate. 
• Employment is contingent upon the results of a background check and eligibility for coverage by the County’s liability insurance carrier. Depending upon the position, background checks may include personal and professional references, social security verification, education and professional licensing verification, financial history, and criminal history. 
• Able to attend and pass the Washington State Training Commission’s Juvenile Probation Academy
• Specialized certifications and trainings may be required for some positions.? 
• All Juvenile Probation Counselors involved in the delivery of the Washington State Juvenile Court Administrator’s (WAJCA) Case Management Assessment Process must be able to obtain certification and maintain all ongoing certification requirements, as required by WAJCA.  

• Department of Health requires obtaining an agency affiliate license in accordance with their standards to administer the Case Management Assessment Process as well as evidence-based

OTHER DUTIES DISCLAIMER
The statements herein describe the principal functions of this job, level of knowledge and skills typically required, scope of responsibility, work requirements and working conditions, but are not all-inclusive. Individuals may perform other duties and Franklin County, Washington reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties, and assign other duties as necessary, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload.

Salary : $66,706 - $86,590