PROJECT COORDINATOR

(A.C.T. JUVENILE SPECIALTY COURT)

SALARY: $ 43,000 -50,000 annual salary

REPORTS TO:

Designated Deputy Director

SUPERVISES:

N/A

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice, Social or Behavioral Sciences or a directly related field AND a minimum of five (5) years' experience preferred in direct juvenile care, counseling, law enforcement, corrections or other related field.

Licenses, Certificates, and Experience

• Must be over twenty-one (21) years of age (for state certification requirements);
• Current Texas Driver's License and must have an automobile with current automobile insurance;
• Ability to communicate effectively (reading, writing, and understanding) in English; knowledge of Spanish is preferred;
• Able to submit to a drug urinalysis pre-screening exam and pass a criminal background check. If the candidate for employment does have a criminal record, it must be cleared through the requirements as set forth by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department;
• Must be bondable

After Hire Licenses or Certificates

• Certification as a Juvenile Probation Officer or eligible for certification within six (6) months of date of hire;
• Must meet the requirements to become a Certified Juvenile Probation Officer in Texas which include: completing a minimum of 80 training hours covering the topics mandated by TJJD and pass the automated certification exam for juvenile probation officers. The officer will be given two opportunities to pass the exam.
• Cardio- Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification and First Aid (FA);
• Handle with Care (HWC) State Approved Restraint Technique Certification

• Project Coordinator will oversee the implementation of the A.C.T. (Accountability Builds Trust) Specialty Court operations, activities, and supervision of community-based programs that is consistent with the philosophy and objective of the department.
• Take the lead in coordinating/updating the specialty court docket with phase review update and provide to the information to the Judge and Court Administrator;
• Serve as a liaison for the Specialty Court team by adhering to project requirements and ensuring participation from juveniles.
• Project Coordinator will also be responsible for all A.C.T. activities that are part of the incentives and/or sanction components for program participants.
• Assist in supervising program participants and maintaining the caseload when JPO is not available.
• Develops, organizes, and leads program activities which will promote a level of social, cognitive, emotional and behavioral growth of youths referred to the program;
• Serve as a role model to youth and assist them in developing coping skills in order to refrain from re-offending;
• Utilize evidence-based curriculum when assigned to do group activity for community-based programs;
• Schedule activities that includes supporting "Wash-up Texas" beach clean-up of all plastics, sanitizing them and learning to create plastic sculptures; Saturday Academy activities that includes tutoring, job readiness' soft skills and family engagement activities.
• Schedule special quarterly events to promote awareness with substance use/mental health, wellness activities (i.e. bicycling, outdoor exercise circuits, fishing, gardening, hiking, etc.) in effort to involve the juvenile/family in pro-social activities.
• Coordinate with community agencies to do presentations to program youths that will address vaping, substance abuse, anger management, or career opportunities, etc.;
• Conduct monitoring visits such as home visits and school visits as per the court order, and/or program description, preferably during nontraditional hours and weekends when assigned.;
• Assist the Specialty Court JPO and Community Activities Officer to ensure participants are adhering to their probation and A.C.T. program requirements;
• Coordinate and supervise community service outings;
• Assists in installing and overseeing the GPS Electronic Monitoring equipment;
• Enters data on JCMS and electronic monitoring system;
• Informs JPO's of any violations that occur in a timely manner;
• Coordinates and/or helps conducts urine drug testing from juvenile probationers as requested by the courts or juvenile probation officer(s);
• Will assist in the supervision of juveniles during programming hours such as community service activities, counseling sites, parent meetings, or any location deemed necessary by the department or the Court;
• Must be available during the evening hours and some weekends due to programming;
• Provide oversight of employee's performance through audits, monitoring, etc.;
• Utilize Motivational Interviewing to de-escalate youth;
• Will address program/grant compliance goals and objectives, evaluation plans and submits required reports for statistical data;
• Document relevant entries/programs into the Juvenile Case Management System (JCMS);
• Assists in providing feedback for performance evaluations on the performance of JPO & CAO's assigned to the program;
• Develops community resources, networking and partnerships for services to best meet the needs of clients and their families;
• Assist with program schedule and staff schedules;
• Represents the department in community meetings, coalitions, trainings that will enhance the service delivery of the clients and families we're entrusted to serve;
• Provide successful leadership for the department by possessing good management skills, mentoring and professionalism;
• Assist in developing and overseeing departmental policy;
• Assist in writing grants, developing projects/programs that will improve the service delivery;
• Assist in ride a-longs and transport clients to off-site locations, as required;
• Assist in juvenile probation caseload or court appearances, as required;
• MUST BE AVAILABLE for all emergencies to include, but not limited to: inclement weather, taking children into custody, transporting; probation children to placement or emergency release facilities, doctor(s) office(s) as directed by Supervisor
• Adhere, maintain, and comply with professional conduct and ethical behavior consistent with the standards and policies and procedures expected by the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), TJJD, Cameron County, and Cameron County Juvenile Justice Department (CCJJD) at all time, both on duty and off duty.
• Adhere and comply with all PREA standards and will follow zero tolerance towards all forms of sexual abuse and sexual harassment while conducting business in the pre and post-adjudication facilities.
• Adhere and comply with all TJJD standards to include Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation (ANE) standards and cooperate with all ANE investigations.
• Adhere and comply CCJJD's and Cameron County's policies and procedures and know how to keep abreast of any changes to said policies and procedures, including maintaining a effective safety program as established by Cameron County.
• Abide by all federal, state, and local laws; the nature of our profession requires being a good role model and setting a good example at all times.
• Attend staff meetings and trainings as required.
• Employment is contingent upon federal, state, local and/or grants availability.
• CCJJD is an At-Will employer; the department has the right to terminate your employment for any legal reason, or no reason, at any time either with or without notice.
• Perform any and all other duties as assigned by the Chief Juvenile Probation Officer and/or designee to include reassignment which is in the best interest of the department.

Knowledge of:

• Policies, practices, procedures and legal terminology related to court system.
• Applicable Juvenile Justice System standards and procedures.
• Standard practices in area of assignment.
• General knowledge of providing trauma-informed care, establishing appropriate relationships, and social adjustment.
• Standard counseling techniques
• Safety and security techniques and standards.
• Physical restraint techniques to prevent self-injurious and assaultive behavior and escape.

Skills In:

• Positive management skills and oversight of CAO staff;
• Monitoring and responding to client behavior.
• Problem solving and decision making.
• Interviewing clients
• Both verbal and written communication.
• Basic Computer skills in word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages

Ability To:

• Gather, analyze and evaluate facts to conduct investigations and report results clearly, accurately and impartially.
• Required to possibly work different schedules in order to meet the needs of the program
• Work efficiently both independently and as part of a team.
• Reason and make judgments and decisions.
• Maintain client and program confidentiality.
• Deal effectively with mentally disturbed, hostile and aggressive individuals.
• Manage time well, perform multiple tasks, and organize diverse activities.
• Submit written documentation clearly, accurately, and impartially.
• Perform effectively and courteously 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:

• Tobacco free environment.
• Absolutely no electronic devices or cell phones allowed in the pre or post-adjudication facilities while either on/off shift.
• Moderate travel with little or no notice (emergency transport) requiring additional hours after scheduled shift and/or overnight stays may be required for transports or training.
• Subject to contact with communicable diseases, hazardous waste, human fecal manner and foul odors.
• Must be able to work in high noise level environment.
• Position involves a range of activities, from sitting at a desk for several hours to conducting home visits, school checks and curfew checks. While conducting these visits, all rules and guidelines of the juvenile probation department's policy regarding office safety will be followed. Communication via cell phone and/or assigned portable radio will be adhered to at all times.
• At no time, will the review or use of social media be allowed while on duty, and/or on County provided electronic equipment, except in limited situations where such activity is work related and is authorized by the Chief Juvenile Probation Officer or designee.

Physical Demands:

• Physical requirements include the ability to life/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 essential functions.
• May require occasional search and apprehension of clients
• When back-up emergency response is needed, must be able to run to the requested location.

Work Uniforms:

• Must adhere to the CCJJD Dress Code Policy
• If visible tattoos, sleeves or cover ups must be worn.
• Sets the example regarding personal appearance with regards to hair being neatly trimmed and combed.

This is not a Civil Service covered position.

Benefits: Cameron County Offers Excellent Fringe Benefits, Including: Health and Life Insurance Protection, Sick and Annual Leave, Retirement System, and Paid Holidays. Cameron County has a mandatory direct deposit payroll program.

AA/EEO/MFD EMPLOYER