General Statement of Duties
Performs difficult administrative and professional work designed to divert at-risk youth from the criminal justice system and to teach effective life skills for at-risk youth.
Distinguishing Features of the Class
An employee in this class is responsible for developing, coordinating, teaching and assessing a variety of programs designed to help at-risk youth with effective life skills and divert them from the criminal justice system. The employee is responsible for establishing goals and objectives in accordance with statewide program mandates and ensures that program components are implemented within the County. Educational components include those that encourage a child’s successful transition from adolescent to adulthood and strengthen families such as parenting skills, life skills, work habits, moral recognition, anger management, anxiety control, communication skills, and healthy relationship building. Employee provides referrals to other community resources and creates curriculums, policies and procedures for the programs as well as monitoring guidelines. The employee must exercise considerable judgment and initiative in administering this program. Duties are performed in accordance with program policy and state and federal law. The employee is subject to hazards including program activities that would expose the employee to working in both inside and outside environments, in extreme cold weather, and exposure to physical hazards. Employee may be subject to Level III OSHA Standards on blood borne pathogens. Duties are performed in accordance with the terms of the Department of Juvenile Justice and delinquent prevention grant and under the general supervision and evaluated through observation, conferences, reports, and general effectiveness of the program.
Duties and Responsibilities
Essential Duties and Tasks
- Plans, organizes, develops, implements and evaluates a wide variety of programs designed to create successful life skills and divert juveniles from the criminal justice system; creates curriculums, policies and procedures; maintains operating budget; develops internal operating procedures and policies; attends various conferences and workshops in the continual development of program improvements.
- Works with the Departments of Juvenile Justice, County Juvenile Prevention Council, schools, and Social Services on referred youth; assesses client needs; works with youth and their families, and other community resources to place youth in various programs.
- Receives referrals from school resource officers, juvenile intake counselors and juvenile court system; conducts intake interviews to determine concerns and obtain agreement for participation in programs; determines best program or programs based on situation.
- Sets up Teen Court hearings as a trial of the youth by their peers; locates student volunteers for the roles of clerks, bailiffs, attorneys and jurors, and locates district and superior court judges and attorneys to serve as Teen Court judges; attends court hearings to record findings and support jury deliberations.
- Monitors youth sentenced through Teen Court to assure completion of sentence; tracks accomplishment of service plan established for the youth and maintains documentation.
- Locates community service projects for restitution by youth; assesses client needs and completes individual service plan; sets up community service agreements; arranges and schedules workers and assures transportation; monitors to assure completion of service work; and completes monthly progress reports.
- Sets up educational programs and workshops to teach skills and educational content to juveniles and patents.
- Performs case management by making appropriate referrals to other professional staff for court and program referred participants.
- Advises juveniles and parents of status and continuing program requirements; terminates from programs when requirements have been met.
- Coordinates and/or conducts programs and training in parenting, life skills, work habits, anger management, anxiety control, communication skills, healthy relationship building, and job seeking skills.
- Conducts exit interview upon completion of client’s participation in the program.
- Creates and maintains records of clients and program activities.
Additional Job Duties
- Performs related duties as required.
Recruitment and Selection Guidelines
Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities
- Considerable knowledge of juvenile crime diversion programs and all relevant principles, practices, methods, and resources.
- Considerable knowledge of state and federal laws, local ordinances, and policies governing related program.
- Knowledge of juvenile psychology and counseling methods.
- Knowledge of the physical, economic, and social characteristics of the County and impacts of them.
- Knowledge of relevant grants and grant requirements.
- Knowledge of the application of information technology to work responsibilities.
- Knowledge of human motivational issues.
- Skill in teaching, group facilitation, de-escalation tactics, collaborative conflict resolution, and related human relations skills.
- Skill in applying judgement in difficult situations, problem-solving, and creativity.
- Ability to write and speak effectively and concisely.
- Ability to prepare clear, concise and accurate records and reports.
- Ability to write and administer grants.
- Ability to establish rapport and inspire confidence and calm in at-risk youth.
- Ability to build and maintain cooperative and effective public relations with the clients and the community.
- Ability to work effectively with court personnel, state and local government staff, clients and their families and the private sector.
Physical Requirements
- Must be able to physically perform all or combination of the basic life operational functions of climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, hearing, and perform repetitive motions.
- Must be able to perform work exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and 20 pounds of force frequently, and 10 pounds constantly to move objects.
- Must possess the visual acuity to perform extensive reading and computer related work.
Desirable Education and Experience
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a BA/BS degree in Social Services or Criminal Justice and progressive experience in juvenile related work; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $40,715.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- Day shift
- Monday to Friday
Work Location: In person