Youth Services Officer

at  Wilson County Government

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor’s degree in Social Services or closely related field; supplemented by 6 months previous experience and/or training involving juvenile probation or detention; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job. Requires Tennessee Correctional Institute certification and completion of Tennessee Juvenile Court Training Program. Requires completion of forty hours of in-service training during first year of employment and fifteen hours of in-service training during subsequent years, as mandated by State of Tennessee. Must possess and maintain a valid Tennessee driver’s license.

PURPOSE OF CLASSIFICATION

The purpose of this classification is to perform specialized/administrative work associated with coordinating activities between the Juvenile Court and juveniles on court probation. Duties and responsibilities include supervising a caseload of juveniles on probation to assure they follow probationary rules and court orders, monitoring progress during probation, meeting with juveniles and parents, performing crisis intervention, determining juvenile detentions, preparing recommendations and referrals, serving petitions, setting court dates, receiving payments for restitution to victims, preparing reports and maintaining records, answering the telephone and providing information, and performing other tasks as assigned. Reports to Director.

THE FOLLOWING DUTIES ARE NORMAL FOR THIS POSITION. THE OMISSION OF SPECIFIC STATEMENTS OF THE DUTIES DOES NOT EXCLUDE THEM FROM THE CLASSIFICATION IF THE WORK IS SIMILAR, RELATED, OR A LOGICAL ASSIGNMENT FOR THIS CLASSIFICATION. OTHER DUTIES MAY BE REQUIRED AND ASSIGNED.

Supervises a caseload of juveniles placed on court probation to ensure adherence with rules of probation and orders of the Juvenile Court.
Meets with juveniles and parents to monitor progress in abiding by rules of probation and court orders; provides guidance and counseling; performs crisis intervention as necessary.
Prepares recommendations concerning juveniles reappearing in court; prepares and executes referrals to other agencies for services needed by families.
Determines whether a juvenile should be placed in detention; schedules appropriate court hearings.
Coordinates activities regarding juvenile arrests with law enforcement officials. Serves on a rotation on-call schedule to assist Judges and Law enforcement with juvenile placement after hours.
Certified to complete Child And Adolescent Needs and Strengths Assessment (CANS) as required by the State.
Serves petitions to juveniles; maintains records.
Sets court dates related to juvenile issues.
Attends court as scheduled.
Executes reinstatement of juveniles’ driver’s licenses.
Monitors payments for restitution to victims; documents payments; forwards to victims as appropriate.
Serves on Child Abuse Review Team, Foster Care Review Board, or other organizations as appropriate; makes recommendations.
Prepares, transcribes, or completes various forms, reports, correspondence, logs, or other documents.
Receives various forms, reports, correspondence, manuals, reference materials, or other documentation; reviews, completes, processes, forwards or retains as appropriate.
Operates a computer to enter, retrieve, review or modify data; verifies accuracy of entered data and makes corrections; utilizes word processing, spreadsheet, or other software programs.
Communicates with supervisor, employees, other departments, county officials, law enforcement personnel, judges, court officials, juveniles, parents, lawyers, therapists, victims, school officials, the public, outside agencies, and other individuals as needed regarding juvenile probation activities or to coordinate work activities, review status of work, exchange information, or resolve problems.
Answers incoming telephone calls; provides information and assistance; records/relays messages or directs calls to appropriate personnel; returns calls as necessary.
Maintains a comprehensive, current knowledge of laws/regulations pertaining to juvenile detention, juvenile probation, or juvenile court activities; reads professional literature; maintains professional affiliations; participates in continuing education activities; attends workshops and training sessions as appropriate.