Job Summary
This job is at pay grade C08, effective 10/01/2022
Provides direct supervision and treatment intervention of juvenile clients assigned to a residential treatment program. Maintains security, control and guidance of detained juvenile clients in order to facilitate treatment, prevent harm and provide for their safety during all daily activities. Recommends and implements available treatment plans and corrective disciplinary strategies. Documents client behavior for use within the juvenile justice system. Trains staff and functions as a working lead over other juvenile detention positions.
Distinguishing Characteristics:
This is the fifth in a series of five juvenile residential treatment-related job classifications within the Court Services job family. This classification provides supervision to clients who have been placed in the juvenile residential facility by the court system. Duties performed are of the most complex nature and type. This classification typically functions as a working lead over the activities of other juvenile residential treatment positions in addition to the normal range of duties. This classification may require work in secure facilities and a flexible work schedule to meet the needs of the department.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Provides direct supervision of all client daily activities. Maintains accountability of all clients and equipment and ensures that the environment is safe, clean and secure.
- Assesses juveniles, develops and implements available treatment plans, corrective disciplinary strategies and effective treatment intervention programs. Ensures that clients are aware of and understand their responsibilities and appropriate behavior.
- Conducts cognitive skill groups and teamwork activities. Models competency in direct care principles for less experienced staff.
- Documents clients’ behavior and enters into department computer information system. Develops strategies for case management.
- Functions as a working lead over other juvenile residential positions. Trains, assigns and reviews work of employees.
- Provides individual and crisis intervention counseling, as required.
- Ensures environment is safe and clean. Maintains order and discipline.
- Physically restrains aggressive clients using approved protocols, as required.
- Transports clients to other facilities, as required.
- Serves on committees and participates in special projects.
- Maintains communication with other staff to ensure continuity of care.
- Assists in investigating incidents involving clients.
- Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
Minimum Requirements
Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Social or Behavioral Sciences or a directly related field AND three (3) years experience in social services, criminal justice or a directly related field;
Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
Must be at least 21 years of age.
Certification as a Juvenile Probation Officer and Detention Officer or eligible for certification within six (6) months of date of hire, including successful completion of Cardio-pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification, First Aid and Handle with Care (state approved physical restraint technique).
Valid Texas Driver's License.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Knowledge of supervisory principles, practices and techniques.
- Knowledge of policies, practices, procedures and legal terminology related to court system.
- Knowledge of Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations, guidelines and applicable juvenile justice system standards and procedures.
- Knowledge of standard practices in area of assignment.
- Knowledge of psychological concepts of good behavior, social adjustment and emotional stability.
- Knowledge of standard counseling techniques.
- Knowledge of safety and security techniques and standards.
- Knowledge of physical restraint techniques to control aggressive behavior.
- Knowledge of first aid techniques.
- Knowledge of computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages.
- Knowledge of and adherence to HIPAA and other federal and state laws requiring the confidential handling of certain health information.
Skill in:
- Training, supervising and reviewing the work of others.
- Monitoring and responding to client behavior.
- Problem-solving and decision-making.
- Interviewing clients.
- Both verbal and written communication.
Ability to:
- Work efficiently both independently and as part of a team.
- Reason and make judgments and decisions.
- Work effectively and courteously under stressful circumstances.
- Deal effectively with mentally disturbed, hostile and aggressive individuals.
- Manage time well, perform multiple tasks and organize diverse activities.
- Conduct investigations and report results clearly, accurately and impartially.
- Perform in a stressful environment while maintaining a professional manner.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, representatives of outside agencies, other County employees and officials, representatives of the juvenile justice system and the general public.
Work Environment & Other Information
Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 50-100 pounds, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and basic office equipment. Subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, balancing, repetitive motion, and squatting to perform the essential functions. Subject to contact with communicable diseases, radiation, hazardous waste, human fecal matter and foul odors. Subject to stressful environment and client and customer contact for extended periods of time.
Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.
Work Hours: Shift work: 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM, 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM, 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM (Must be able to work all three shifts as needed.) Works some holidays, nights and weekends. Shift may change periodically.
Department: Juvenile Probation
Location: 2515 S. Congress Ave. Austin, Texas 78704
Physical Exam, Drug Test, Alcohol Test, Psychological Exam Required.
Criminal, Driving, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required.
This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.
