Job Description

Posting number: 26-10870

Department: Juvenile Probation

Job classification: SOCIAL SERVICES PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Social Services

Summary

This Social Services Program Administrator serves as the Administrator for the Travis County Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program (JJAEP). The JJAEP provides educational services to youth who have been expelled from a public school district in accordance with Chapter 37 of the Texas Education Code. The JJAEP Program Administrator directs the overall operations, staff, and functions of the JJAEP and provides leadership, management, and coordination in planning, organizing, implementing, and evaluating JJAEP operations in accordance with Federal, State, and local laws, policies, procedures, and guidelines. This position is also responsible for developing strategic plans to accomplish program goals and objectives and to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of services. Additionally, this position serves as the program contract monitor and is responsible for monitoring the daily operations of the JJAEP and ensuring that the educational services provided by the contracted service provider are delivered in accordance with the terms of the contract or agreement.

The JJAEP Program Administrator also directly supervises the onsite Juvenile Probation Officers (JPOs) and Juvenile Supervision Officer (JSO), and, as such, directs and assigns tasks, evaluates staff performance, conducts disciplinary actions, and ensures that staff activities are consistent with the goals of the program. This position is responsible for creating opportunities for staff learning and development and identifying and addressing problems or conflicts as needed.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

This is a job classification within the Social Services job family. This classification is responsible for directing the operations and staff of a comprehensive and complex social services program. This classification is distinguished from the Social Services Manager by the responsibility for developing strategic plans, goals and objectives, initiatives, and budget for a large, comprehensive, complex program or programs. The classification has a broad scope of operational and staff responsibility and typically directs through subordinate managers. If position is assigned to the Juvenile Probation Department, this classification may require work in secure facilities, and may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

Examples of duties

• Directs the planning and operations of a comprehensive and complex social services program. Directs subordinate managers and staff, including hiring, training, performance evaluation, disciplinary actions and dismissals, ensuring activities are consistent with policies, procedures, laws, regulations, goals and objectives. Creates opportunities for improved performance, learning and development of staff, and identifies and addresses problems or conflicts.
• Directs and participates in the planning, developing and establishing of goals and objectives. Develops strategic plans, policies and programs to accomplish the goals and objectives.
• Directs the service delivery and program operations. Oversees the establishing of procedures and priorities and directs the monitoring of activities and assignments to achieve desired results. Resolves problems.
• Evaluates effectiveness of programs and operations and develops new and modified initiatives to improve effectiveness. Directs the implementation and monitoring of new and existing programs.
• Provides high-level technical advice, policy interpretation and guidance for application of appropriate procedures to managers and other staff.
• Participates in the development of the annual program budget. Directs ongoing administration of approved budget and oversees expenditures.
• Represents the organization and collaborates with governmental and public agency representatives, community outreach and advocacy groups, service providers and others. Plans, develops and directs a variety of community development and community organizing activities. Identifies and resolves service gaps and barriers, stimulates interest in programs and services.
• Directs the development of, and participation in training and education programs for clients, social service providers, community organizations and others.
• Prepares periodic reports, financial analysis and statistical reports on program activities, results and performance.
• If position assigned to Juvenile Probation Department, may provide direct supervision of all clients’ daily activities when working in secure facilities, including maintaining accountability of all clients and equipment and ensuring that the environment is safe, clean and secure; ensures that clients are aware of and understand their responsibilities and appropriate behavior. Implements corrective discipline plans and programs, as required; facilitates cognitive skill groups and relaxation training for clients; provides individual and crisis intervention counseling, as required; documents clients’ behavior and enters into department computer information system; monitors security and fire alarm systems, including closed circuit monitors; maintains communication with facility posts; maintains communication with other staff to ensure continuity of care; physically restrains aggressive clients using approved protocols, as required; may assist in investigating incidents involving clients.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in Social or Behavioral Sciences or a directly related field AND seven (7) years increasingly responsible experience in social services, including two (2) years of supervisory or management experience;

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:

If position assigned to Juvenile Probation Department, certification as a Juvenile Probation Officer and Juvenile Supervision Officer or eligible for certification by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department within six (6) months of employment, 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.

Preferred:

Prior work experience in education or juvenile justice field is preferred.

Knowledge of:

• Management and supervisory principles, practices and techniques.
• Program administration and oversight techniques.
• Policies, practices and procedures within area of assignment.
• Federal, State and Local program laws and requirements.
• Advocacy groups, social service providers and community outreach organizations.
• Budgetary practices and techniques.
• Modern office practices, procedures and methods.
• Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages.
• Business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation.
• May be required to develop knowledge of and adhere to federal and state laws requiring the confidential handling of certain health information.

Skill in:

• Strategic planning, development, monitoring and evaluation of social service programs and services.
• Supervising others, allocating resources and evaluating programs.
• Leadership and community collaboration.
• Problem-solving and decision-making.
• Developing and monitoring program budgets.
• Operating a variety of modern office equipment, including a computer.
• Both verbal and written communication, including presentations.

Ability to:

• Direct, motivate, train, develop and evaluate staff.
• Serve as technical consultant and liaison.
• Create and recommend program initiatives.
• Prepare administrative and statistical reports.
• Communicate effectively.
• Work independently.
• Manage time well, perform multiple tasks, and organize diverse activities.
• Deal effectively with mentally ill or emotionally distressed individuals undergoing acute episodes, who may also be hostile and aggressive.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, representatives of outside agencies and providers, other County employees and officials, and the general public.

Supplemental information

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 25 pounds occasionally, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, balancing, repetitive motion, driving, client/customer contact, and squatting to perform the essential functions.

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: 8 am - 5 pm, Monday-Friday.

May work some holidays and some nights

Location: 1203 Springdale Road, Austin, TX 78721

Department: Travis County Juvenile Probation Department

Criminal, Driving, Education, and Employment Background Checks 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.