Court Services Officer (Juvenile Diversion Officer)

Position Description:
Essential Functions, Duties, and Responsibilities:

• Meets with youth and families.
• Monitors youth and enforces Court Orders.
• Conducts intake investigations, diversion interviews, pre-disposition investigations, and investigates potential violations of Court orders.
• Conducts assessments, interviews youth, family, and others to develop a contract and/or case plan focused on rehabilitation and therapeutic intervention of identified needs, sends referrals to community partners, and engages with service providers.
• Synthesizes results of investigations, assessments, interviews with youth, their family, and other sources of information into written reports with recommendations to the Court, with regards to the safety of the community, family, youth, and the youth’s best interests.
• Attends Court hearings on assigned cases, presents information to the Court orally and in writing, and makes informed recommendations.
• Communicates with the Licking County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, law enforcement agencies, child welfare agencies, educational institutions, community mental health, and other service providers.
• Has knowledge of the Ohio Revised Code Sections pertaining to juvenile procedures and the Licking County Juvenile Court procedures.
• Conducts office, school, and other field visits as appropriate, based on the needs of the youth and the community as deemed appropriate.
• Utilizes evidence-based practices, while approaching youth from a trauma-informed perspective.
• Performs on-call duties as specified in the On-Call Officer’s job description (non-business hours).
• Performs general “In-Office” duties as instructed.
• Maintains detailed case notes per Court policy in the Court’s case management system.
• Makes arrests of youth under the jurisdiction of the Juvenile Court according to the Ohio Revised Code and policies of the Juvenile Court.
• Demonstrates the following Core Correctional Practices: develops interpersonal relationships, uses effective reinforcement, practices effective disapproval, effectively uses authority, practices cognitive re-structuring, utilizes pro-social modeling of behaviors, practices skill building/structured learning and problem-solving.
• Performs duties not specified within this job description when instructed by the Director of Court Services, Deputy Director of Court Services, and Senior Court Services Officer (Diversion).
• Demonstrates regular and reliable attendance.

Brief Description:
The Court Services Officer supervises youth under the jurisdiction of the Court either prior to formal involvement or after formal involvement; this includes supervision and enforcement of Court orders, as well as the development, implementation, and supervision of diversion contracts and/or case plans pursuant to a youth’s rehabilitation through a trauma-centric approach and in conjunction with community partners.
Job Prerequisites:
Supervisory Responsibilities:

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s Degree (Criminal Justice/Social Service preferred) is required; an understanding of the Juvenile Court system is preferred; an ability to work with difficult people is required; decision-making, problem solving, organizational skills, and necessary skills with technology such as computer-based programs are all required.

Skills and Characteristics required:
Ability to connect with challenging and difficult people, while providing empathetic, non-judgmental, and culturally competent interventions.Understanding of the juvenile justice system and how it interacts with a wide array of other systems in which Court involved youth and families come into contact.Ability to reflect the values and professionalism of the Licking County Juvenile Court in interactions with Court employees and with the community at all times.Maintain the confidentiality of youth and families involved with the Court while treating those involved with the Court with dignity and respect.Demonstrate reasonable judgment in times of crisis and high stress while maintaining a high-performance level in stressful and emotionally challenging conditions and circumstances. Must remain flexible in a fast-paced setting where circumstances change frequently throughout the day.Must utilize conflict resolution and conflict management skills to de-escalate tense situations between youth, their families, and others.Ability to synthesize information from different sources and draw appropriate conclusions.Must demonstrate teamwork on a variety of teams which may include Court staff, service providers, youth, family, and other stakeholders to achieve case plan goals through effective communication and collaboration across systems.Uses interpersonal skills to develop positive relationships with youth and families to drive interventions and achieve case plan goals through consensus when possible.

Physical Demands:

Must be of physical condition to detain and/or arrest youth when necessary.

Certificates, License, Registration:

Valid State Operator’s License is required.

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.
Compensation:
Commensurate with experience
About UFA:
Licking County Court of Common Pleas, Probate-Juvenile Division, is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Closing Date/Time: Open Until Filled