Job Description

Posting number: 26-10901

Department: Juvenile Probation

Job classification: JUVENILE RES TREATMENT OFFICER III

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Court Administration

Summary

Do you want to make a difference in the lives of juvenile youth today? Are you someone who can strike the balance of law and order and compassion and rehabilitation? Are you well versed in criminal justice and current and proven counseling methods? Do you want to work for an organization where you are valued, can grow in your career, and give back to your community? If this resonates with you, we encourage you to apply to become a Juvenile Residential Treatment Officer with Travis County Juvenile Probation Department (TCJPD).

Please note: This position requires that you be available to work a non-traditional work schedule to include evenings, weekends, and holidays. You may be required to work any of the following shifts upon hire, and the Department may reassign you to a different shift at any time in order to meet operational needs: 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM; 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM; and 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM. There are shift and certification pay premiums that may be applicable.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Residential Treatment Officer I

This is the second in a series of five juvenile residential treatment-related job classifications within the Court Services job family. This classification provides supervision to clients who have been placed in the juvenile residential facility by the court system. Duties performed are of routine to moderately complex nature and type and may initially perform duties in training together with a higher-level staff member. This classification may require work in secure facilities. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

Residential Treatment Officer II

This is the third in a series of five juvenile residential treatment-related job classifications within the Court Services job family. This classification provides supervision to clients who have been placed in the juvenile residential facility by the court system. Duties performed are of a more complex nature and type. This classification may require work in secure facilities. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

Residential Treatment Officer III

This is the fourth in a series of five juvenile residential treatment-related job classifications within the Court Services job family. This classification provides supervision to clients who have been placed in the juvenile residential facility by the court system. Duties performed are of a complex nature and type. This classification assists in recommending available treatment plans and training other juvenile residential treatment positions in addition to the normal range of duties. This classification may require work in secure facilities. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

Examples of duties

• Provides direct supervision of all client daily activities.
• Maintains accountability of all clients and equipment and ensures that the environment is safe, clean and secure.
• Assesses juveniles, assists in developing treatment plans and implements available treatment plans, corrective disciplinary strategies and effective treatment intervention programs.
• Ensures that clients are aware of and understand their responsibilities and appropriate behavior.
• Conducts cognitive skill groups and teamwork activities.
• Models competency in direct care principles for less experienced staff.
• Documents clients' behavior and enters into department computer information system.
• Develops strategies for case management.
• Assists in training other juvenile residential treatment employees.
• Provides individual and crisis intervention counseling, as required.
• Ensures environment is safe and clean. Maintains order and discipline.
• Physically restrains aggressive clients using approved protocols, as required.
• Transports clients to other facilities, as required.
• Serves on committees and participates in special projects.
• Maintains communication with other staff to ensure continuity of care.
• Assists in investigating incidents involving clients.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Residential Treatment Officer I: Starting at $24.79/hour

Associate’s degree in Human Services or a directly related field AND one (1) year experience in direct client care, counseling, law enforcement, corrections or a directly related field;

OR,

Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job

Residential Treatment Officer II: Starting at $25.29/hour

Associate’s degree in Human Services or a directly related field AND two (2) years’ experience in direct client care, counseling, law enforcement, corrections or a directly related field;

OR,

Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job

Residential Treatment Officer III: Starting at $25.92/hour

Associate’s degree in Human Services or a directly related field AND three (3) years’ experience in direct client care, counseling, law enforcement, corrections or a directly related field;

OR,

Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:

Must be at least 21 years of age. Certification as a Juvenile Detention Officer or eligible for certification within six (6) months of date of hire, including successful completion of Cardio-pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification, First Aid and Handle with Care (state approved physical restraint technique).

Valid Texas Driver's License.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Policies, practices, procedures and legal terminology related to court system.
• Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations, guidelines and applicable juvenile justice system standards and procedures.
• Standard practices in area of assignment.
• Psychological concepts of good behavior, social adjustment and emotional stability.
• Standard counseling techniques.
• Safety and security techniques and standards.
• Physical restraint techniques to control aggressive behavior.
• First aid techniques.
• Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages.

Skill in:

• Training of others.
• Monitoring and responding to client behavior.
• Problem-solving and decision-making.
• Interviewing clients.
• Both verbal and written communication.

Ability to:

• Work efficiently both independently and as part of a team.
• Reason and make judgments and decisions.
• Work effectively and courteously under stressful circumstances.
• Deal effectively with mentally disturbed, hostile and aggressive individuals.
• Manage time well, perform multiple tasks and organize diverse activities.
• Conduct investigations and report results clearly, accurately and impartially.
• Perform 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.

Supplemental information

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/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 the essential functions. Subject to contact with communicable diseases, radiation, hazardous waste, human fecal matter and foul odors. Subject to stressful environment and client and customer contact for extended periods of time.

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

Work Hours: 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM, 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM, 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM (Must be able to work all three shifts as needed.) Works some holidays, nights and weekends.

Location: 2515 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704

Department: Juvenile Probation

Criminal, Driving, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required.

Physical Exam, Drug Test, Alcohol Test, Psychological Exam Required.

For updates or questions on this position, contact Alana.Terry-ramos@traviscountytx.gov.

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.

You must ensure your application accurately reflects your skills and abilities as they relate to the position. Only periods of employment and experience detailed in the "Work Experience" section of the application will be considered in determining which applicants move forward in the selection process, as well as determining pay level for candidate(s) recommended for hire.