JUVENILE SUPERVISION OFFICER - L.I.F.E.

JUVENILE SUPERVISION OFFICER

SALARY: $ 43,336.00 per year

REPORTS TO:

All JSOs and JSO/RPOs are under the direct supervision of the Shift Supervisors, Operations Managers, and Facility Administrator.

SUPERVISES:

N/A

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education and Experience:

Associate's Degree in a related field of criminal justice, psychology, or government preferred; must have a high school diploma or GED.

Licenses, Certificates, and Experience

• Must be over twenty-one (21) years of age (for state certification requirements);
• Current Texas Driver's License and must have current automobile insurance;
• Ability to communicate effectively (reading, writing, and understanding) in English is required; bilingual is preferred;
• Able to submit to a drug urinalysis pre-screening exam and pass a criminal background check. If the candidate for employment does have a criminal record, it must be cleared through the requirements as set forth by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department;

After Hire Licenses or Certificates

• Juvenile Supervision Officer Certification;
• Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification and First Aid (FA);
• Handle with Care (HWC) State Approved Restraint Technique Certification

TYPICAL DUTIES

• Provide direct supervision of all resident's daily activities, including but not limited to the education program, basic arts and crafts, outdoor activities all while maintaining safety and order of all residents. In addition, may be required to provide one-to-one supervision where appropriate to ensure the safety of residents classified as moderate or high risk for suicide.
• Conduct random observation checks not to exceed ten (10) minutes on residents during non-program hours and anytime a resident is placed in their assigned room/housing unit either on a paper observation log or by using the Spartan handheld device via the Guardian RDIF program.
• Supervise resident placed on suicide classification and document observation checks as outlined in the facilities Suicide Prevention Intervention Plan.
• Monitor and documentation of resident behavior while conducting observation checks.
• Assign and supervise residents in daily housekeeping details as required by maintaining accountability of all residents and equipment and ensure that the environment is safe, clean, and secure. Immediately report all unsafe/unsecure areas to the shift supervisor.
• Implement available treatment plans, corrective disciplinary strategies and effective treatment intervention programs.
• Ensure that residents are aware of and understand their responsibilities and appropriate behaviors as outlined in the resident handbook and discipline plan.
• Facilitate cognitive skill groups and teamwork activities.
• Facilitate and participate in Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) nurture groups and teamwork activities.
• Implement appropriate disciplinary sanctions and effective TBRI interventions while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Observe and document resident's behavior and maintain basic discipline and control of residents through careful and consistent enforcement of the rules, regulations and procedures.
• Maintain accountability of residents assigned to your care. Radio all movements, non-compliant behavior and head counts into control.
• Summarize information and complete written reports on incidents that occur, using data from direct witnessing or other sources.
• Provide individual and crisis coping techniques such as de-escalation skills to maintain control of situations and help relieve the resident's anxieties and tension.
• Monitor security and fire alarm systems, including closed circuit monitors.
• Transport residents to off-site locations as required, to include medical and funeral services.
• Maintain communication with other staff to ensure continuity of care.
• Provide oversight and participate in committees and special projects.
• May assist in investigating incidents involving residents.
• Properly apply a physical restraint as instructed by Handle With Care, when a resident is physically harming themselves or others, property damage over $50 and/or attempting to escape.
• Adhere, maintain, and comply with professional conduct and ethical behavior consistent with the standards and policies and procedures expected by the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), TJJD, Cameron County, and Cameron County Juvenile Justice Department (CCJJD) at all time, both on duty and off duty.
• A JSO shall not initiate or maintain an inappropriate relationship with any children under the supervision of the CCJJD. An inappropriate relationship can include but is not limited to bribery, solicitation of gifts, favors or services from the resident or their families and/or any actions that could be construed as an inappropriate relationship.
• Adhere and comply with all PREA standards and will follow zero tolerance towards all forms of sexual abuse and sexual harassment following a duty to report immediately, without reservation any possible PREA violation.
• Adhere and comply with all TJJD standards to include Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation (ANE) standards following a duty to report, without reservation any standard violation and cooperate with all ANE investigations.
• Adhere and comply CCJJD's and Cameron County's policies and procedures and know how to keep abreast of any changes to said policies and procedures, including maintaining an effective safety program as established by Cameron County.
• Abide by all federal, state, and local laws; the nature of our profession requires being a good role model and setting a good example at all times.
• Attend staff meetings and trainings as required and scheduled.
• Employment is contingent upon federal, state, local and/or grant availability.
• CCJJD is an At-Will employer; the department has the right to terminate your employment for any legal reason, or no reason, at any time with or without notice.
• Perform any and all other duties as assigned by the Chief Juvenile Probation Officer and/or designee to include reassignment which is in the best interest of the department.

SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Policies, practices, procedures and legal terminology related to court system.
• Applicable juvenile justice system standards and procedures.
• Standard practices in area of assignment.
• General knowledge of providing trauma-informed care, establishing appropriate relationships, and social adjustment.
• Safety and security techniques and standards.
• Physical restraint techniques to prevent self-injurious and assaultive behaviors and escape.
• TBRI core principles and establish healthy professional relationships amongst staff and residents.

Skills In:

• Monitoring and responding to resident behavior.
• Problem solving and decision making.
• Both verbal and written communication in English.
• Basic computer skills in word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages

Ability To:

• Adhere to facility's strength based behavior modification approach.
• Required to work a rotating schedule in order to meet the needs of the program
• Work efficiently both independently and as part of a team.
• Reason and make judgments and decisions.
• Maintain resident and program confidentiality.
• Connect with residents while still being able to implement rules, boundaries and accountability.
• Deal effectively with mentally disturbed, hostile and aggressive individuals.
• Manage time well, perform multiple tasks, and organize diverse activities.
• Submit written documentation clearly, accurately, and impartially.
• Perform effectively and courteously 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.
• Provide off site supervision contingent with facility policies.

WORK ENVIORNMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work Environment:

• Tobacco free environment.
• Absolutely no electronic devices, smart watches or cell phones allowed in the facility while either on/off shift.
• Moderate travel with little or no notice (emergency transport) requiring additional hours after scheduled shift and/or overnight stays may be required for transports and/or training.
• Subject to contact with communicable diseases, hazardous waste, human fecal matter and foul odors.
• Must be able to work in high noise level environment.
• At no time, will the review or use of social media be allowed while on duty, and/or on County provided electronic equipment, except in limited situations where such activity is work related and is authorized by the Chief Juvenile Probation Officer or designee.

Physical Demands:

• Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 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 essential functions.
• Subject to stressful environment and resident contact for extended periods of time.
• When back-up emergency response is needed, must be able to run to the requested location.

Work Uniforms:

• County issued polo and trousers are provided. All staff; Part Time and Full Time shall adhere to the uniform policy.
• Belt, Boots/Shoes/PT gear and Earpieces must be purchased by JSO.
• If visible tattoos, sleeves or cover ups must be worn.
• Sets the example regarding personal appearance with regards to hair being neatly trimmed and combed and tied back daily (women).
• Only jewelry allowed is a watch, wedding band and stud earrings for females. Necklaces may be worn inside your county issued shirt.

This is not a Civil Service covered position.

BENEFITS:

Cameron County Offers Excellent Fringe Benefits, Including: Health and Life Insurance Protection, Sick and Annual Leave, Retirement System, and Paid Holidays. Cameron County has a mandatory direct deposit payroll program.

AA/EEO/MFD EMPLOYER