Juvenile Probation Officer

Probation Officer

Probation officers provide monitoring, guidance, and case management services for youth with court-ordered terms. This role involves managing cases, preparing social histories, counseling, developing programs, and conducting group sessions in an effort to ensure compliance and support rehabilitation efforts for youth.

Distinguishing features of the class: A Probation Officer I is an entry level position where the incumbent is provided close supervision, training and learning opportunities. The Probation Officer I must become JPO certified through Idaho Peace Officer Standards & Training (POST).

Essential functions include:

• Providing general caseload management support, including coordinating schedules, prioritizing tasks, directing communication, and related tasks;
• Conducting interviews, assessments, and using observation skills to identify the risk, needs, and strengths of youth;
• Developing case plans and terms in accordance with evidence based/ best practice philosophies;
• Preparing social history and other reports, recommendations, and maintaining detailed records and case files;
• Enforcing court orders through direct contact with youth and families; monitoring youth progress and behavior; ensuring compliance with probation conditions; administering drug tests; conducting searches; and providing other probation support to address youth needs and court requirements;
• Conducting office visits or travels for home or field visits to meet with youth and families in uncontrolled environments requiring continual risk assessment, mitigation, and response to ensure safe conditions;
• Attending court hearings and providing testimony regarding youth behavior and compliance;
• Conducting educational group sessions;
• Preparing cases for presentation at Court Multi-Disciplinary Team (CMDT) and state commitment staffings;
• Coordinating the processing of youth offenders through Interstate Compact agreements;
• Assessing for and reporting on risks that may impact youth rehabilitation goals and the safety and well-being of youth or the community, which may include identifying drugs and paraphernalia, reporting physical/sexual abuse, or other matters that require intervention;
• Providing crises intervention, which requires responding to high-risk situations, de-escalating volatile situations, and using defensive tactics;
• Acting as a secondary security support to ensure safety of other Probation Officers, youth, and families in certain situational and operational visits as required;
• Maintaining cooperative relationships with community resources;

Additional functions include:

• Performing related functions as required.

Job requirements include:

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university in Social Work, Criminal Justice, Psychology, or a related human services field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, required;
• Must become certified by the Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST) as a Probation Officer within one year of hire and maintain certification to include annual training;
• Must pass a criminal background check;
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license;
• Knowledge of modern probation services, best practices, and philosophy;
• Knowledge of the Balance Approach to Juvenile Justice;
• Knowledge of individual and group behavior;
• Knowledge the laws pertaining to the Juvenile Court;
• Skills in conducting comprehensive interviews utilizing training and best practice / evidence-based techniques;
• Knowledge of community resources available to assist youths and aid in case plan development;
• Knowledge of problem-solving skills;
• Knowledge of English grammar, spelling, and punctuation;
• Skill in the operation of a personal computer;
• Skill in the operation of Microsoft Office Suite;
• Ability to plan and organize work;
• Ability to conduct an investigation through the use of interviews and other techniques;
• Ability to effectively assess risk factors, reach appropriate conclusions, and articulate those conclusions;
• Ability to effectively work with and counsel youths and/or adults;
• Ability to maintain confidentiality;
• Ability to communicate clearly in stressful situations;
• Ability to maintain effective working relationship;
• Ability to recognize a youth's strengths, needs, and risks.

Other requirements include:

• Must possess and maintain a valid Idaho driver's license;
• Must pass a criminal background check;
• Must adhere to the Code of Ethics, Values and Policies of Juvenile Services;
• This position has been designated safety sensitive and therefore the incumbent is subject to random drug testing.

Post certification requirements include:

• Must be a citizen of the United States;
• Must be at least 21 years of age;
• Must not have been made ineligible for certification based on past conduct as defined by IDAPA 11, Rules of the Idaho POST Council, which includes certain criminal, drug, or controlled-substance violations, other-than-honorable military discharge status, or past decertification or denial of certification.

Work environment and physical demands include:

• The incumbent will be required to work flexible schedules, which may include work on some weekends, evenings, nights, and/or holidays;
• Work is performed both in an office and field environment;
• Requires sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes to permit the employee to function in a general office environment and to physically respond to emergency situations in the field and office;
• Must be able to perform defensive maneuvers, maintain balance, and react quickly to unpredictable movements;
• Requires acute visual and auditory acuity for monitoring people, environments, and activities;
• Requires the ability to observe and handle materials safely and carefully, including physically manipulating and inspecting objects;
• Requires bending, reaching, and crouching to conduct searches in various environments;
• Requires strength and endurance to prevent physical confrontations, using verbal and non-verbal cues to de-escalate tensions;
• May be required to lift up to 20 lbs;
• This position involves exposure to potentially hazardous materials, airborne pathogens, blood, blood borne pathogens, bodily fluids, and goods or substances that may be deemed harmful;
• This position interacts with youth dealing with sensitive and often challenging situations; incumbent must demonstrate strong emotional resilience and composure to ensure the safety and well-being of self and others.

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