Job Description

Posting number: 1205

Department: Juvenile Justice Department

Job classification: Shift Leader

Posting type: Open

Categories: Corrections, Public Safety, Management, Professional, Miscellaneous, Safety, Security

Summary

The shift leader reports directly to the assistant facility administrator and ultimately to the chief juvenile probation officer. The shift leader will assist in supervising the overall function of the detention center and will serve as the acting administrator after hours. The shift leader will help to ensure that the detention center is run within compliance standards as set forth by the juvenile board and the Texas Juvenile Justice Department by performing the following duties.

Shift: Shift involves working weekends, days, evenings and/or nights.

Examples of duties

ESSENTIAL DUTIES: Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. Employees are required to be in attendance and prepared to begin work at their assigned work location on the specified days and hours. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Remains familiar with county personnel policies as are set forth in the county's personnel policy manual and the salary administration policy, plus related court orders and other official announcements of the county, thereby observing and enforcing said policies without exception; and, furthermore, whenever clarification is needed with regard to said policies to contact a member of the county human resources department for this purpose;

Regular attendance is required;

Available to respond to the department in times of catastrophe/ natural disaster;

Works flexible schedule involving weekends, evenings and/or nights;

Works with administration to enhance the professionalism of the detention and residential facilities;

Performs shift specific duties as directed by the facility administrator of detention/residential services;

Supervises juvenile supervision officers and issues assignments; initiates disciplinary action for substandard work performance;

Directs supervision of juvenile residents;

Becomes and remains well-versed in use of the family code and juvenile justice system as a whole;

Screens juvenile referrals from local police agencies, accepting or denying based on merits of offense (probable cause), mental health status and medical condition;

Directs intake and orientation process of juvenile offenders into the detention center;

Obtains and maintains proficiency in first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, crisis intervention and fire safety regulations;

Dispenses prescription and over-the-counter medications;

Counsels juveniles and contacts mental health professionals as needed;

Maintains safety and security of facility, residents and staff;

Initiates process for restraining any out-of-control juvenile resident;

Maintains 90 hours biannually of approved training for juvenile supervision officer certification;

Ensures the maintenance of facility cleanliness;

Prepares daily detention reports including any discipline and/or incident reports;

Assist Training and Personnel Coordinator in training all OJT’s, both in the facility and possibly in a classroom setting;

Performs other duties as assigned;

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Directly supervises juvenile supervision officers assigned to the detention and residential facilities; and carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the department’s policies and applicable laws; and responsibilities include training employees; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance; addressing complaints and resolving problems.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the non-essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

Required:

Minimum of 2 years experience working in direct supervision of juveniles in a juvenile detention facility or 2 years experience working in a correctional facility;

Preferred :

Bachelor’s degree in any field with a preference in the fields of criminal justice, sociology, psychology or a behavioral science and prefer at least 1 year experience working in some capacity with juveniles whether incarcerated or in the mental health or educational fields.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Proficiency in oral and written communication, with the ability to organize, plan and direct activities of a large program; and ability to motivate and supervise employees; and ability to diplomatically establish and maintain effective working relationships with officials, employees, other professionals and the public; and ability to effectively delegate responsibilities to subordinate staff members and to supervise implementations; and ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from citizens, regulatory agencies or members of the business community.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form; and ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

Valid Texas Driver’s License and proof of liability coverage

OTHER KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Possess good problem solving skills, have the ability to work effectively with people, and be prepared to deal with crisis situations.

Possess the ability to work effectively with children and their parents, and a desire to affect positive change within the child and family structure;

Possess good organizational skills and ability to perform multiple tasks simultaneously and prioritize key tasks;

Ability to attain and remain proficient in the use of department used computer or technology systems;

Positive customer service attitude and people skills;

Experience with phone systems and computers with knowledge of current word processing and excel type computer programs;

Ability to represent the department in a professional manner;

Ability to perform in a mentally and physically demanding working environment; Required: Clean criminal history.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the nonessential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Must be able to lift and or move at least twenty-five (25) pounds.

Ability to become trained in restraint techniques which involve flexibility (ex: ability to bend at the knees and waist, ability to bend elbows and other joints); and ability to place full body weight and weight of another on knees (into a kneeling position) and ability to take a deep step back, ability to twist body at torso; and ability to put body weight on one elbow and both knees at the same time; and ability to move suddenly and quickly; and ability to assist others in a restraint.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the non-essential functions.

This job takes place in a private office in a large county juvenile facility and in a juvenile detention center at various times. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate, but may be loud and unpredictable when around unruly juveniles.

SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:

The incumbent in this job must be knowledgeable about and follow the County's safety policies and procedures; and ask supervisor for details; and proper precautions and following road safety laws are required at all times while driving.

DRUG/ALCOHOL POLICY:

Drug/Alcohol policy applies to this job; and pre-employment drug/alcohol testing required.

Supplemental information

DISCLAIMER:

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.