Juvenile Probation Officer

The probation officer is responsible for analyzing and screening all assigned cases referred to the Lubbock county Juvenile Justice Center. The officer shall provide services to and supervise assigned juveniles and their families under the auspices of Title III Texas Family Code and departmental policies. The field officer will be responsible for the assessing the individual treatment needs of each probationer and assigning the appropriate level of supervision to ensure the child’s accountability and rehabilitation.

The field officer will be responsible for developing a treatment plan designed to meet the individual needs of each probationer and their family, ensuring their compliance with the plan and updating all plans according to policy. Field officers will monitor children to ensure their compliance with all court orders and report to the court any violations.

• Receive assigned incoming juvenile referrals and make personal contact with the juvenile within 5 working days of receiving the assigned case.
• Determine appropriate action for each referral based on case facts of the offense, child's history, familial status, assessment instruments, progressive sanctions and departmental policy.
• Refer juvenile to appropriate service agencies within 2 weeks of determination of needs. Ensure their needs are identified in their case plan.
• After consultation with the Assistant Probation Supervisor make detention/release decisions in accordance with Title III Texas Family Code.
• Maintain current, accurate statistical information on caseworker system regarding each child. Ensure that each contact with child, parent, school, placement, and all secondary contacts are documented in caseworker within 5 working days of the contact.
• Conduct initial interview within 10 working days of receiving all assigned cases, complete all required supervision and agency referral paperwork.
• Complete individual case plan and CSE-IT on all official probationers within 30 working days of case disposition. Reassess individual case/program plan every 30 days or when there is a change in the program or needs while the child is under supervision with child and family. Reassess individual CSE-IT no less that once every six months or when there is new information gathered.
  
  Conduct Case Plan Reviews within 15 calendar days after a child’s probation is modified or a Courtesy Supervision is received.
• Update all changes (school, phone number, addresses, etc.) in JCMS and maintain accurate, current documentation in chronological order in dictation section of files. Ensure that each contact with child, parent, school, placement, and all secondary contacts are documented within 5 days of the contact.
• Provide counseling, crisis intervention and assessment/referral to all youths and families, as needed, assigned to your caseload. Provide informal supervision, pre-court supervision and regular probation supervision to children in accordance with risk assessments and the supervision and merit system.
• After consultation and approval of the assistant probation supervisor, file violations of probation and new referrals with the Criminal District Attorney’s office in a timely manner. File petitions with CDA on children in detention in accordance with the 15/30 day filing deadline. All other cases should be filed within 10 working days.
• Take juveniles into custody according to policy.
• Restrain residents who are out of control, damaging property, and/or presenting a danger to themselves or others. Utilize non-violent physical restraint methods and mechanical restraints as warranted in accordance with departmental policy. Submit written report of mechanical restraint usage to assistant detention superintendent within one hour of usage, unless restraints are used for transporting residents.
• Recommend disposition of adjudicated youth to the juvenile court following progressive sanctions guidelines, as well as assessment of court fees, probation fees, restitution and support fees.
• Ensure all ordered fees are collected. Inform your supervisor in writing quarterly when the child is not meeting their ordered financial responsibilities.
• Maintain files in an orderly…