Juvenile Residential Treatment Officer Assistant

About the role

Have you been interested in the criminal justice field but weren’t sure how or where to start? Are you looking for a part time opportunity to make some extra money, learn something new, grow as a person and professional and meet some amazing colleagues? Travis County Juvenile Probation Department (TCJPD) is looking to hire part time temporary Juvenile Residential Treatment Officer Assistants.

In this role, you will be assisting the Residential Treatment Officers who provide direct supervision and treatment intervention of post-adjudicated juvenile clients assigned to our multidisciplinary treatment program that provides services to a general residential population, a Girls Secure Program, and a Youthful Offender Program.

The Girls Secure Program provides a structured, therapeutic environment with a focus on life/social skills and regular counseling. The Youthful Offender Program (YOP) utilizes interventions such as education, life skills, creativity, and positive communication to target problem behaviors and development.

Please note: This position requires that you be available to work a non-traditional work schedule to include evenings, weekends, and holidays. You may be asked to work any of the following shifts upon hire: 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM; 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM; and 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM. There are shift and certification pay premiums that may be applicable.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is the first in a series of five juvenile residential treatment-related job classifications within the Courts job family. This classification assists in providing supervision to clients who have been placed in the juvenile residential facility by the court system. This classification performs duties of the most routine type and typically performs duties in training together with a higher-level staff member. This classification may require work in secure facilities. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

• Assists in providing direct supervision of all client daily activities. Maintains accountability of all clients and equipment and ensures that the environment is safe, clean and secure.
• Assists in assessing juveniles and implementing available treatment plans, corrective disciplinary strategies and effective treatment intervention programs. Ensures that clients are aware of and understand their responsibilities and appropriate behavior.
• Documents clients' behavior and enters into department computer information system.
• Ensures environment is safe and clean. Assists in maintaining order and discipline.
• Assists in physically restraining aggressive clients using approved protocols, as required.
• Transports clients to other facilities, as required.

Maintains communication with other staff to ensure continuity of care.

• May assist in providing individual and crisis intervention counseling, as required.
• May assist in conducting cognitive skill groups and teamwork activities.
• May assist in investigating incidents involving clients.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

• High School diploma or G.E.D.;
• OR,
• Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements

Must be at least 21 years of age.

Certification as a Juvenile Detention Officer or eligible for certification within six (6) months of date of hire, including successful completion of Cardio-pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification, First Aid and Handle with Care (state approved physical restraint technique).

Valid Texas Driver's License.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of

• Policies, practices, procedures and legal terminology related to court system.
• Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations, guidelines and applicable juvenile justice system standards and procedures.
• Standard practices in area of assignment.
• Psychological concepts of good behavior, social adjustment and emotional stability.
• Standard counseling techniques.
• Safety and security techniques and standards.
• Physical restraint techniques to control aggressive behavior.
• First aid techniques.
• Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages.
• Knowledge of and adherence to HIPAA and other federal and state laws requiring the confidential handling of certain health information.

Skill in

• Monitoring and responding to client behavior.
• Problem-solving and decision-making.
• Interviewing clients.
• Both verbal and written communication.

Ability to

• Work efficiently both independently and as part of a team.
• Reason and make judgments and decisions.
• Work effectively and courteously under stressful circumstances.
• Deal effectively with mentally disturbed, hostile and aggressive individuals.
• Manage time well and perform multiple tasks, and organize diverse activities.
• Conduct investigations and report results clearly, accurately and impartially.
• Perform 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.

Additional information

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/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 the essential functions.

Subject to contact with communicable diseases, radiation, hazardous waste, human fecal matter and foul odors. Subject to stressful environment and client and customer contact for extended periods of time.

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

Work Hours: 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM; 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM; and 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM; Works some nights, weekends, and holidays.

Location: 2515 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704

Department: Juvenile Probation

Criminal, Driving, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required.

Physical Exam, Drug Test, Alcohol Test, Psychological Exams Required.

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.

You must ensure your application accurately reflects your skills and abilities as they relate to the position. Only periods of employment and experience detailed in the "Work Experience" section of the application will be considered in determining which applicants move forward in the selection process, as well as determining pay level for candidate(s) recommended for hire.