Lead Intake Probation Officer

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Education and/or Experience 

Leadership Responsibilities

The Lead Intake Probation Officer provides day-to-day leadership to intake staff and serves as a resource for complex cases and operational issues. The position may assist supervisors and management with staff assignments, training, performance monitoring, policy implementation, and program development.

Other Qualifications, Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Must obtain First Aid Certification within six months of employment.

• Must hold a valid Texas driver license and liability insurance coverage.

• Driving record must reflect acceptable rating by Ellis County to operate a county vehicle.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Lead, coordinate, and monitor the daily activities of intake probation officers.
• Review of juvenile referrals, complaints, reports, and other documentation to determine appropriate intake actions, to include detention or release of a juvenile 
• Conduct or oversee intake interviews, risk/needs assessments, and social history investigations.
• Evaluate information concerning the youth, family, school, behavioral history, and community circumstances.
• Make recommendations regarding diversion, release, detention, probation, services, or other appropriate interventions.
• Prepare accurate and comprehensive reports, summaries, and recommendations for the court.
• Ensure intake decisions and documentation comply with applicable laws, departmental policies, and court procedures.
• Provide guidance, coaching, training, and technical assistance to intake probation officers.
• Review staff work for accuracy, timeliness, completeness, and compliance with established standards.
• Monitor caseloads, assignments, deadlines, and workflow to ensure effective service delivery.
• Respond to emergency and after-hours juvenile intake matters when required.
• Participate in detention hearings, court proceedings, staffing meetings, case conferences, and multidisciplinary meetings.
• Identify youth and families who may benefit from community-based services, treatment, counseling, educational programs, or other interventions.
• Maintain accurate, confidential, and timely case records and electronic databases (JCMS).
• Assist management with developing and implementing intake procedures, policies, and quality-improvement initiatives.
• Monitor performance data and identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for improvement.
• Address complex or high-risk cases and provide consultation to intake staff.
• Promote professionalism, ethical conduct, cultural responsiveness, and respectful treatment of youth and families.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor or department leadership.

SUMMARY:

POSITION SUMMARY

The Lead Intake Probation Officer is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the intake and assessment process for youth referred to the juvenile justice system. The position provides leadership and guidance to intake probation officers while ensuring that referrals are processed promptly, assessments are completed accurately, and appropriate recommendations are made to the court and other authorized agencies.

The Lead Intake Probation Officer serves as a key liaison among the courts, law enforcement, prosecutors, defense counsel, families, treatment providers, and community-based organizations. The position requires sound professional judgment, strong leadership skills, knowledge of juvenile justice practices, and a commitment to rehabilitation, accountability, and public safety.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

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 essential functions.

This position typically requires manual dexterity, talking, hearing, seeing, grasping, standing, walking, repetitive motions, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, and climbing.

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 essential functions.

Performing the essential functions typically requires exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

As a dual-certified Officer, JSO / JPO, regular attendance is essential. The position requires punctual attendance, as well as the possibility of working beyond a 40-hour work week, to ensure staffing for Intake is met at all times, as well as assist with coverage in the detention facility. Detention operates 24 hours per day, 365 days a year; therefore, this position may require one to work outside of normal business hours, to include, but not limited to: evenings, overnight, weekends and holidays.   This position may also require working in various types of weather, including rain, wind, ice, sleet, or snow. 

NOTICE:

The above job profile does not include all essential duties of this job.  All applicants and/or employees with disabilities are encouraged to contact the Human Resources Department to review and discuss the essential functions of the job, so that an applicant and/or employee can evaluate the job in greater detail to determine if he/she can safely perform the essential functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodation.  

DISCLAIMER:

Job profiles are not intended, nor should they be construed to be, an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, tasks, skills, efforts, working conditions, or similar behaviors, attributes or requirements associated with a job. A job description is not a comprehensive job profile. It is intended for the sole purpose of acquainting a person who is unfamiliar with such a position with a brief overview of the position’s general direction and scope.

An offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion of CPS and background checks, including reference checks, license checks, and criminal history checks.