JUVENILE PROBATION OFFICER-FAMILY DIVISION

General Definition of Work:

Performs technical work investigating background of delinquent youths, making recommendations to Court as to most proper disposition of juvenile cases, supervising and counseling assigned juveniles through development of individualized treatment plans, setting up service, evaluating progress, and participating in them, maintaining up to date records, and related work as apparent or assigned. Work is performed under the limited supervision of the Delinquency Program Director.

Starting at $28.21/hr.

Essential Functions:

• Initiates assigned cases by meeting with juvenile and family member to review charges, obtain assigned release forms, take a photograph of the juvenile, explain the court system to the juvenile and to the parents or guardians, assist in obtaining a financial statement, if necessary and thereafter organize the case work file in the proper chronological order.
• Completes a thorough investigation of the assigned cases by contacting schools, police agencies, various social agencies and/or pertinent contacts to ensure necessary feedback is obtained; makes necessary visits to the home of youth and family; utilizes his or her vehicle to make these contacts.
• Monitors school attendance by calling, faxing, or making personal contact with school officials; contacts counseling officials to monitor adjustment and follow through and ensure adequate behavior adjustments, curfew, and the overall process at home by visits to the home, school, telephone calls, and officer visits; sets up probation/placement violation hearings by way of communicating with court clerks and support staff.
• Completes the necessary paperwork and provides that to hearing officers to complete the violation process, waivers and/or other consequences are set up for violations which may be reported by parents, school, and police agencies.
• Maintains case histories and treatment plans on each assigned juvenile, noting all pertinent events and progress; enters significant information in to the computer as necessary, prepares court orders, and prepares for plea and dispositional hearings and review hearings; ensures that court orders are given to the respective parties present at the hearing and at times, has them sign acknowledgement sheets.
• Substitutes for the probation supervisor and other members of the probation staff as directed; aids in the completion of Maysi testing, as needed; substitutes for the traffic referee as needed.
• Oversees and aids in programs such as youth deterrent, balance and restorative justice, community team meetings, system of care, and overcrowding.
• Assists and advises parents/guardians on how to resolve problems in the home and improve family relations and communications; finds possible sources for counseling, treatment, and school programs when necessary and makes referrals to such programs.
• Attends adjudication, dispositional, reviews, and waiver hearings of assigned cases; prepares rules and correspondence as needed; assumes responsibility for ensuring that the disposition of each case is properly carried out; updates computers with completed information and fills out complaint forms for violation of court rules; attends the scheduled violation hearings.
• Provides correspondence and information to detention officials subsequent to the violation hearings.
• Initiates placement of juveniles on tether (PLUS Program); completes required paperwork, faxes information to the Sheriff’s Department; makes any necessary changes in scheduling.
• Assists victims and the general public under the victims’ rights act by maintaining statistics reflecting contacts with the victims, making impact statements and related information at the time of disposition, and supplying to the various parties, investigating, and making recommendations as to the type and amount of restitution.
• Meets with clients either on a weekly or monthly basis; assists student interns with cases as assigned.
• Submits monthly statistics to the Delinquency Program Manager and/or court administrator as to the status of individual cases.
• Represents the juvenile court at various speaking engagements throughout the county as requested or assigned by the Delinquency Program Manager or court administrator.
• Attends workshops, seminars and conferences, reads periodicals and other publications to maintain professional proficiencies.
• Provides information, sometimes after work hours, to agencies, families, the police, detention, and other court staff.
• Handles and coordinates the maintenance of the company vehicle.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor's degree with coursework in psychology, sociology, social work, or related field.

Experience: Moderate (1 years) experience in a juvenile court setting as a probation officer or in a related capacity, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Requirements:

• MJI certification for Juvenile probation officers issued by the Michigan Supreme Court within two years of hire.
• Valid driver's license in the State of Michigan.