Court Probation Officer - Juvenile Probation

The Court Unit Probation Officer according to Chapter 344 of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) or any successor statute, performs professional corrections work by supervising juveniles placed on orders of release by the courts. This position performs case management services for those juveniles assigned to a caseload and pending further court action. Work involves assessing juveniles, meeting with juveniles and families to ensure adherence to orders of release or any other court orders and maintaining records of the juvenile’s activities and status. The Court Unit Probation Officer is also responsible for providing juveniles with referrals to counseling and assistance programs.  Work may also involve developing supervision plans for juveniles in detention and transporting juveniles to medical appointments and placement facilities.  The Court Unit Probation Officer is subject to the usual potential hazards of contact with legally delinquent juveniles.  

Maintains individual case files, recording all contacts, and preparing reports of clients' status. 

Utilizes computerized data entry equipment and file maintenance programs to enter, store, and/or retrieve information, including the Juvenile Case Management System (JCMS).

Attends detention hearings as necessary and gathers information in preparation for hearings; makes recommendations as necessary.

Gathers personal and family information regarding juveniles referred to the Juvenile Court.

Testifies in court as to the juvenile’s status and adherence to reporting schedules and other court orders, as appropriate.

Enforces court orders and maintains court ordered contact with juveniles under court supervision.

Calls the juvenile’s family members if necessary, and advises the family and juvenile of rules and regulations of the Orders of Release.

Observes juvenile’s demeanor to determine mental state and possible need for treatment referrals. 

Sends, requests, receives, and maintains school records.

Administers the TJJD mental health screening tool (MAYSI), SASSI, CSE-IT and PACT assessments tools to aid in determining a juvenile’s risk to reoffend, needs, and developing departmental recommendations for the disposition of juvenile cases referred to the Juvenile Court.

Performs case management duties, contacting families as necessary; prepares court documents as needed.

Fingerprints and obtains a photograph of the juvenile for the court’s file and department records.   Prepares and distributes court dockets and gathers all documentation for cases on the docket.

Prepares court documents for hearings, including appearance/announcement hearings, deferred prosecution and adjudication hearings, and detention hearings and distributes or processes documentation as necessary to the court, District Attorney, and defense attorney.

Attends court hearings as necessary; inspects all paperwork for accuracy; enters all disposition information into the JCMS computer system.

On a weekly rotation with other Court Unit officers, provides Juvenile Probation presence for all court hearings.

Accesses and utilizes the county’s court data system (Odyssey).

Answers phone calls, check-ins, and e-mails; prepares correspondence as necessary.

Documents all contact with the juvenile and others involved in their case along with all activities.

Refers the juvenile and family to resources available in the community prior to the juvenile’s adjudication based on the needs of the juvenile and/or family.

Interviews the juvenile and the family, gathers background information, and types necessary reports for court as mandated by TJJD standards and/or department policies and procedures. 

Prepares TJJD and placement packets.

Transports the juvenile to placements and appointments as necessary.

Completes sex offender risk assessments.

Sends sex offender registration and orders to defer or cease registration to proper law enforcement agencies.

Conducts criminal history background checks on each referred juvenile and the juvenile’s parent, guardian, or custodian.

Requires regular and punctual work attendance.

Performs other related duties as required.

Bachelor's degree conferred by a college or university accredited by an organization recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and a minimum of two years of experience in a social service, community, criminal justice, or juvenile justice agency.

In addition, per Chapter 344 of the TAC or any successor statute, the minimum qualifications of the Court Probation Officer are that the candidate:

1. be at least 21 years of age;
2. be of good moral character; 
3. have no disqualifying criminal history as described in the TAC;
4. possess the work experience required in §344.210 of the TAC or any successor statute;
5. never have had any type of certification revoked by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department;
6. complete the training required by the TAC; and 
7. pass the certification exam as required by §344.700 of the TAC or any successor statute.

Certification as a Juvenile Probation Officer by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department within 6 months of initial employment is required.

Possession of a valid driver’s license.  Must be able to obtain a State of Texas driver’s license within 90 days.

Requires the ability to work more than 40 hours during the workweek when necessary.