Community Activities Officer

COMMUNITY ACTIVITY OFFICER

Salary:28,500.00

REPORTS TO:

Assigned Supervisor and/or designee

SUPERVISES:

N/A

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education and Experience:

Must have a High School Diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certificate. Some college education in Criminal Justice, Corrections, Social Work, Psychology, Sociology or a related field is preferred, but not required; Basic Computer skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint; Must work a flexible work schedule. Bilingual preferred.

Licenses, Certificates, and Experience

• Must be over 21 years of age;
• Current Texas Driver's License and must have current automobile insurance;
• Ability to communicate effectively (reading, writing, and understanding) in English; knowledge of Spanish 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

• Community Activities Officers (CAO Certification)
• Cardio- Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification and First Aid (FA);
• Handle with Care (HWC) State Approved Restraint Technique Certification
• Abuse, Neglect & Exploitation & Code of Ethics Orientation

• The Filed Compliance Officer under general supervision provides assistance to the Juvenile Probation Officers assigned to the Specialty Court or CCJJD's Community Based Programs;
• Be part of the treatment team for Specialty Court and CCJJD's community based programs;
• Conducts monitoring visits as per the court order, program description or at the request of supervising probation officer;
• Conducts home visits, curfew checks, and school visits;
• Enters data on JCMS and electronic monitoring system;
• Installs and monitors the performance of the Electronic Monitoring equipment;
• Informs Juvenile Probation Officers of any violations that occur in a timely manner;
• Supervises juveniles during programming hours such as community service activities, counseling sites, or any location deemed necessary by the department or the Court;
• Contacts juveniles and families and reminds them about court;
• Participates in staffing's every week so that input can be provided on progress;
• Monitors compliance with court orders and programmatic requirements;
• Maintains a tracking sheet for field contacts, phone calls, UA's, school visits, home visits, etc;
• Coordinates and conducts urine drug testing from juvenile probationers as requested by the Juvenile Probation Officer(s) and/or courts;
• Home visits will be conducted any day of the week, preferably during nontraditional hours and weekends when assigned;
• Testify in court as required by law when needed;
• Assist in escorting, detaining, and transportation of juveniles as required by department;
• Assist with the department's community-based programs and supervision requirements for juveniles/family;
• Assist with community based programs and supervise any group activities.
• Prepare various routine reports required by the department;
• Utilize evidence based curriculum when assigned to do a group activity for community based programs;
• Supervise juveniles in order to ensure compliance with All juvenile court ordered programs and services;
• Perform duties and coordinate with supervisor the operations, activities and supervision of probation matters that is consistent with the philosophy and objective of the Juvenile Probation Department;
• Maintains conduct consistent with standards expected of Cameron County employees as specified in the Cameron County Operations Employee Handbook and that of the Cameron County Juvenile Probation Department;
• Must comply with all TJJD standards and Code of Ethics requirements;
• Knowledgeable and be able to perform physical training but not required;
• Assist in any investigations when required and be able to testify in court;
• Monitor and oversee Indirect Supervision cases by making monthly phone calls to juvenile(s) home, school, place of employment and adult correctional institutions to inquire about their status quo;
• MUST BE AVAILABLE for all emergencies to include, but not limited to; inclement weather, taking children into custody, transporting probation children to placement or emergency release facilities, doctor(s) office(s) as directed by supervisor;
• Responsible for reporting any and all suspected cases of abuse or unprofessional conduct on the part of another employee, to include supervisors;
• Attend staff meetings and trainings as required;
• Maintain required training hours for Community Activities Officer Certification;
• Submitting reports to probation officers and /or supervisors as needed;
• MUST BE AVAILABLE for all emergencies to include, but not limited to: inclement weather, taking children to custody, supervising juvenile to pre/post facilities, transporting probation children to placement or emergency release facilities, doctor(s) office(s) as directed by Chief and/or Deputy(s).
• Assignment subject to change based on the needs of the department.
• 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.
• Adhere and comply with all PREA standards and will follow zero tolerance towards all forms of sexual abuse and sexual harassment.
• Adhere and comply with all TJJD standards to include Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation (ANE) standards 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.
• Employment is contingent upon federal, state, local and/or grants 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 either 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.

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 behavior and escape.

Skills In:

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, team members, Judges, Attorneys, County Employees, juveniles, parents, and general public.
• Must possess a high degree of maturity coupled with strong interest in young people and an ability to accept and work with all types of children and families to include those with mental health and/or substance abuse issues.
• Monitoring and responding to juvenile's behavior.
• Problem solving and decision making.
• Both verbal and written communication.
• Basic Computer skills in word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages
• Driving 15 passenger van for transporting juveniles to and from home, school, and scheduled activities.
• Skills in using independent judgment, initiative, discretion and ability to adhere to strict ethical and confidentiality standards.
• Ability to develop, evaluate, and interpret policies, and procedures.
• Use of security devices such as metal detector, etc.

Ability To:

• Required to work morning, afternoons and evenings 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.
• Deal effectively with mentally disturbed, hostile and/or 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.
• When in contact with law enforcement agencies, community leaders, and/or community groups, must be treated with respect;
• Communicate in person, telephone, radio, written memorandum, and miscellaneous reports;

Work Environment:

• Tobacco free environment.
• Absolutely no electronic devices 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 or training.
• Subject to contact with communicable diseases, hazardous waste, human fecal manner 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 life/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 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:

• Will use assigned uniforms at all time. (No sandals)
• 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