8439 - Juvenile Justice Specialist I (Community Justice)

Jackson County Employment Opportunity.

Do you have a passion for working with youth and want to be part of a great team in helping youth involved in the juvenile justice system turn their lives around to create a better future?

As a Juvenile Justice Specialist with Jackson County’s Juvenile Department of Community Justice, you’ll help promote a restorative, pro-social model of accountability for youth residing in our Juvenile Detention or Behavioral Rehabilitation Services (BRS) Residential Program.

You will be responsible for the guidance, safety, security, supervision, documentation and general care of youth who present a variety of behavioral, cognitive, emotional and intellectual issues, through the use of restorative justice practices. Using an interactive model of supervision, we place particular emphasis on, activities and working one-on-one with youth when they are struggling.

Detention is a 16 bed, two-level unit that provides secure custody, accountability and services to youth awaiting court process, out-of-home placement or serving short court ordered sentences. Accountability is not achieved when youth simply do time in detention, true accountability involves making time count. Youth participate in a year-round educational program, mental health and substance use assessments, evidence-based individual and group skill development, recreation, medical screening/care and mental health counseling and crisis services.

The BRS residential program is a 10 bed unit that serves youth on probation, who have behavioral concerns which cannot be adequately assessed or dealt with while at home, and close and objective observation of the youths day-to-day behavior is needed in order to evaluate the reasons for the behavior and to determine the level of the youth’s need for services, to develop and implement an individual case plan, and to provide rehabilitative services in order to further stabilize the behavior for successful transition back into the Community. Youth participate in a year-round educational program, mental health and substance use assessments, evidence-based individual and group skill development, on and off-site activities, medical screening/care and mental health and substance treatment services.

Juvenile Justice Specialists must have the ability to use effective verbal skills to de-escalate volatile situations; respond to crisis situations, including physically intervening with youth who may be physically acting out or attempting to harm themselves or others, which may involve the use of physical or mechanical restraints (detention only); and be able to regularly go up and down stairs. Programs operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week and applicants must be willing to work a variety of shifts, including graveyard (11 pm – 7 am), swing (3 pm – 11 pm) and days (7 am – 3 pm), in addition to weekends and holidays.

Jackson County strives to recruit, hire and retain the best employees!

• Shifts may be a combination of days and swings but could also include graveyards.
• Pass a criminal background check prior to hire. 
• Submit an acceptable DMV certified court print prior to hire. click on the following link to review Jackson County's requirements for an acceptable driving record.  
• Pass a pre-employment drug screen, which includes screening for Marijuana. Click on the link to review Jackson County's Drug-Free Workplace Policy.
• This position is represented by union group SEIU

I.    Position Summary

Directs and supervises the activities of youth involved in the juvenile justice system and placed in the County detention or residential program, including providing evidence-based skill development groups; uses a behavior management system to assist youth in changing behaviors and learning consequential thinking, modeling pro social communication, emotional management and healthy relationships and offering support and feedback in a restorative manner while maintaining security, safety and general housekeeping standards. Performs a significant portion of the work assigned to the next higher level, but without the independence or full responsibility expected at the journey level within a procedural framework.

II.   Examples of Essential Position Duties (The following duties represent some of the principal job duties; however, they are not all-inclusive. Other duties may be required or assigned.)

• Admits and releases youth to the County detention or residential program according to state law, contractual obligations and department and division policy; instructs youth on rules, procedures and expectations of placement; checks for illness and injury; conducts intake assessments with law enforcement officers, caseworkers, probation officers, other agencies, etc. to determine facts and appropriate placement decisions; accounts for all personal property of youth placed in the program.
• Notifies parents and appropriate authorities of detention placements and/or court hearings.
• Supervises all youth in an unbiased manner regardless of placement reason; responds to major and minor disturbances, restores and maintains security, order and schedule of activities; takes restorative, corrective and disciplinary actions; restrains youth according to division and contractual policies and procedures; dispense medications as prescribed; transports youth as required; and, takes residential youth on community offerings.
• Searches people, clothing, mail items, objects capable of concealing contraband, buildings and large outdoor areas.
• Performs crisis intervention functions to include counseling, suicide prevention, skill development, recognizing abnormal behavior and taking appropriate action.
• Establishes, monitors and maintains detailed case files, ensuring accurate and complete documentation of youths’ behavior, attitudes and action; prepares thorough and detailed reports in a timely and professional manner and maintains records as necessary.
• Adheres to regulatory requirements, collective bargaining agreements, County and departmental policies and procedures, required trainings, as well as safe work practices.
• Develops and maintains effective internal and external working relationships at all levels.
• Has regular and reliable attendance. Overtime may be required.

III.  Minimum Requirements (Performance of the essential duties of this position includes the following requirements, physical demands and/or working conditions)

Education and Experience

• Associate’s degree or at least two years college course work in criminology, criminal justice, sociology, psychology, communication studies, human services or education AND six months experience working with the criminal justice system, social services system, or with children or youth; OR
• A high school diploma or equivalent AND a one year certificate in a juvenile justice or criminal justice program AND six months experience working with the criminal justice system, social services system or with children or youth; OR
• Any combination of education and experience which provides the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge, and ability required to perform the job.

License, Certificate or Other

Requires possession of a valid driver’s license and an acceptable driving record. Must receive certification of successful completion of the Oregon Juvenile Department Directors’ Custody and Residential Worker Training Academy within initial twelve months of employment and possess first aid and CPR certification within initial 30 days of employment.

IV.  Other Requirements

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Position requires knowledge and understanding of behavior and adjustment problems of youth; basic counseling, restorative and rehabilitation concepts of social and personal improvement of youth; health, safety and personal hygiene needs; criminal law and the criminal justice system, specifically the juvenile justice system; law enforcement procedures and protocol; and modern office practices including computer skills. Position requires ability to effectively intervene in order to protect the community and aid in rehabilitation of youth; secure and hold the confidence and cooperation of youth; provide a safe and positive environment within the program; understand the emotional and physical problems of youth; perform at a high level of professional competence; perform basic first aid and CPR; give effective presentations in court; maintain accurate records; work in potentially hostile and dangerous environments; restrain youth as necessary; make quick, intelligent decisions in crisis situations; adapt to changes in program direction, procedures and operations; maintain safety requirements; learn computer skills including typing; effectively organize duties; display initiative and creativity in carrying out duties and assignments; comply with all statutes, policies and procedures; understand and carry out oral and written directions; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Physical Demands (Performance of the essential duties of this position includes the following physical demands)

Typically requires climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, sitting, lifting, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing (including ability to clearly distinguish and identify colors), and repetitive motions. Requires exerting up to 20 pounds frequently, 50 pounds occasionally, of force to move objects. Requires sufficient strength and coordination for restraining and/or carrying the weight of adults and defending one’s self from attack. Requires driving.

Working Conditions (Performance of the essential duties of this position includes the following working conditions)

Work may be conducted in a noisy, crowded area, with exposure to uncomfortable physical conditions, including heat, cold, wetness, strong odors and/or smoke, strong and/or toxic chemicals, solvents, grease, oils, inks, electrical currents, dust and pollen, illnesses, diseases and blood borne pathogens. May include exposure to disruptive individuals. Must be willing to work various shifts that may include nights, weekends and holidays.

V.   Additional Information

This classification description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties, knowledge, skills, abilities, or requirements, as any one position in this classification may be assigned some or all of these duties, in addition to other duties not explicitly listed here. The various duties, responsibilities and/or assignments of this position may be unevenly balanced and change from time to time based upon matters such as, but not limited to, variations in the shift, work demands, seasons, service levels and management’s decisions on how to best allocate department resources. Any shift, emphasis or rebalancing of these assigned duties, responsibilities and/or assignments does not constitute a change in the job classification. The County shall schedule employees and determine FTE consistent with its determination as to efficiency of operations, financial advantages to the County, and/or effective service to the public.