Juvenile Probation Officer - Intake

Incumbent serves as Juvenile Probation Officer/Intake Unit for Tippecanoe County Probation Department, responsible for investigations, assessments, and supervising clients.

DUTIES:

Performs Probation Officer duties as required by state law and the Indiana Office of Court Services Probation standards.

Completes intake procedures by processing juveniles following arrests or referrals for truancy. Searching youth as part of the intake process.

Conducts Preliminary Inquiry and Investigations to determine whether cases will be handled informally or referred to Court for formal handling. Determines need for removing probationers from homes.

Provides for supervision and holding of juvenile until parent notification and pick up occurs. Conducts preliminary risk/needs, mental health, substance assessments, and obtains general intake information to assist in developing resolution to cases.

Contacts concerned parties and schedules detention and court hearings for juveniles.

Completes Emergency Detention Hearings on detained cases.

Monitors Informal Adjustment cases ensuring compliance with terms and conditions. Refers violations and failed cases to Prosecutor to initiate formal process as needed. Conducts random drug screening as required. Ensures clients pay required fees such as fines, court costs, and restitution.

Assists with home detention work as needed, conducting home detention intakes, checking on juveniles in their homes, conducting room searches, administering alcohol sensor tests, and drug screening.

Maintains current, accurate case files, including classifying offenders according to risk, recording probationer’s character, attitude, behavior and compliance with probation conditions, and preparing and processing various documents. Assists in preparing statistical and other reports as required.

Cooperates with public/private community service agencies, school systems, and individuals in assisting probationers and their families/guardians in obtaining treatment and/or services as needed.

Assists in answering phones, providing information, taking messages or directing caller to appropriate department or individual.

Maintains current knowledge of applicable local, state and federal rules/regulations, new developments, technology and trends in the field of probation by reading professional publications and periodically attending seminars and conferences.

Prepares and makes public speaking presentations to community groups as assigned.

Serves as representative on various task forces, committees, and/or teams as assigned and/or requested.

Performs related duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

Baccalaureate Degree.

Must be 21 years of age.

Possession of and ability to maintain certification as a Probation Officer by Indiana Judicial Center.

Working knowledge of and ability to make practical application of local, state and federal regulations, and standard policies and procedures of juvenile and criminal code.

Working knowledge of and ability to make appropriate referrals of probationers to treatment programs and services.

Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling, and punctuation, and to prepare detailed reports as required.

Ability to effectively supervise, direct and monitor assigned probationers to ensure proper completion of probation requirements.

Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, other County departments, probationers and their families, attorneys, victims, community service agencies, counselors, school systems, courts and law enforcement personnel, the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities, and disabilities.

Ability to testify in legal proceedings.

Ability to properly operate a computer, maintain accurate and organized files, and prepare detailed reports as required.

Ability to provide public access to, or maintain confidentiality of, department information and records according to State requirements.

Ability to comply with all employer and Department policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.

Ability to competently serve the public with diplomacy and respect, including occasional encounters with irate/hostile persons.

Ability to work alone and with others in a team environment with minimum supervision, and work on several tasks at the same time, often under time pressure.

Ability to work weekend, evening and/or extended hours, and occasionally travel out of town for training, sometimes overnight.

Possession of valid driver’s license and demonstrated safe driving record.

DIFFICULTY OF WORK:

Incumbent performs a variety of duties which are broad in scope and require application of sound judgment based on education, experience and training. Decisions are frequently based on consideration of many variables and their potential interrelationships. Guidelines are detailed and well established, requiring independent judgment in adapting to individual cases and situations.

RESPONSIBILITY:

Incumbent works according to standard Department policies and procedures, and standard practices of the profession, exercising independent judgment in determining disposition as assigned probationers. Incumbent refers to supervisor unusual or unprecedented situations, such as unclear legal codes or problems with another agency. Work is periodically reviewed for soundness of judgment, attainment of objectives, and compliance with Department policies and procedures.

PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:

Incumbent maintains frequent contact with co-workers, other County departments, probationers and their families, attorneys, community service agencies, counselors, school systems, courts and law enforcement personnel, and the public for purposes of exchanging and explaining information, and supervising and assisting probationers.

Incumbent reports directly to Juvenile Intake Supervisor.