Nature of Work The Youth Services Officer position is the focal point of responsibility for the daily operations of the Youth Services Office involving the legal, administrative, and case management aspects of assisting juveniles and their families who are assigned to or seek the services of the Marshall County Juvenile Court System. Typical activities include assessing and supervising juveniles placed on probation by the courts as well as troubled juveniles identified by the school system, law enforcement personnel, and/or their families. Additional responsibilities include crisis management with families, assisting with the intake of juvenile offenders, coordinating special programs for juvenile offenders, and maintaining contacts with school personnel, social service agencies and law enforcement personnel. The YSO is part of a rotating on-call schedule to assist law enforcement with properly processing juveniles into the juvenile justice system after normal working hours. The YSO shall work closely with the Juvenile Court Judge to provide information and make recommendations regarding juveniles under court ordered or informal supervision. Qualities aligning with the YSO position include but are not limited to possessing a strong background in assisting troubled youth, a working knowledge of local and regional social service agencies, experience working in the juvenile court system, and strong organizational, communication, interpersonal, and decision-making skills. Job performance is evaluated by the Juvenile Court Judge through objective review of the YSO's case management activities, knowledge of juvenile court proceedings and administration, and the implementation of available resources to assist troubled youth. Other qualities evaluated are skills involving crisis management proficiency, oral and written communication, cooperation, and decision making. Primary Responsibilities

• For all court cases, be competent in the preparation of petitions, motions, orders, and all other necessary court mandated documentation while following applicable procedures/law.
• Organize court case files, label documents with the proper date and pertinent information, and generate the court docket.
• Attend court hearings involving juveniles to record proceedings and advise defendants of their charges, rights, and options; prepare court notes and court orders.
• Conduct intake duties including receiving complaints and allegations of delinquency and unruly behavior and determining possible commencement of follow-on legal actions and/or proceedings.
• Administer a validated risk needs assessment (CANS) to determine the status and needs of juveniles placed in custody.
• Schedule unruly and delinquent court cases to be heard before a Judge.
• Maintain records of job-related activities and submit required reports and other documentation to the Commission of Children and Youth and/or the Tennessee Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges.
• Conduct investigations, prepare reports, and make recommendations to judge(s) having juvenile jurisdiction.
• Provide insight on decisions pertaining to juveniles subject to being held in custody and/or the terms of their release.
• Supervise the activities of juveniles placed on probation to ensure compliance with all court orders and stipulations.
• Maintain availability on a rotating on-call basis to assist local law enforcement when contact has been made with juveniles and/or their families in crisis situations.
• Maintain a high level of proficiency of the Quest online case management reporting system by completing tasks including but not limited to generating cases, managing cases, updating requirements, producing appropriate court orders, summons, and attachments.
• Maintain case files and related documents on all juveniles assigned to their caseload.
• Effectively manage a large caseload and maintain all documentation required to comply with existing federal and state regulations and departmental policies.
• Monitor all Public Service Work for juveniles not on court probation.
• Coordinates the "Stepping Stone" program a weeklong motivational/life skills program for juveniles who have been adjudicated for either delinquent or unruly offense characterizations. Secondary Responsibilities
• Consult with school personnel, social service agencies, mental health organizations, law enforcement personnel and local officials for children in county schools that may be in crisis and/or experiencing difficulties at home or at school by gathering information and coordinating referrals to the appropriate social service agency.
• Cross train coworkers in the Youth Services Office in performing the essential tasks specific to the Youth Services Officer position.
• Train the Youth Services Office Administrative Assistant to perform the tasks deemed essential to providing full office administrative support.
• Conducts drug screens in accordance with established practices and protocols.
• Intervenes in crisis situations with juveniles and their families and/or guardians to attempt an optimal resolution of their problems.
• Consults with the program director regarding questions, concerns, court, issues, and case direction pertaining to daily juvenile court probation matters.
• Counsels juveniles and their parents/guardians for the purpose of alleviating existing and/or potential problems or destructive behaviors by encouraging progress toward established goals.
• Provide support to walk-in individuals/families with crisis situations by assessing the situation and determining available courses of action and resources.
• Be proficient in the installation and activation of GPS (ankle) monitoring devices.
• Recruits and trains participants for the teen court and conducts dispositional hearings held before a group of peers for sentencing purposes.
• Organizes speakers and mock trial cases for the teen court. Tertiary Responsibilities
• As required assist and advise the Assistant Director, and Director of Youth Services on policies and procedures affecting the compliance and efficiency related to the casework itself and internal office matters.
• As needed assume the duties and responsibilities of the Assistant Director of Youth Services.
• As required assume the duties of the Administrative Assistant by answering phones and providing administrative support with processing/docketing new petitions or other administrative and office productivity measures.
• Attend workshops and seminars to meet TCCY guidelines for required annual training.
• Upon direction, perform other unanticipated duties as a situation may dictate.

Necessary Requirements of Work Graduation from an accredited four year college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in Social Services, Criminal Justice, Psychology or related field; considerable experience working with troubled youth and adolescents; thorough knowledge of the laws pertaining to juveniles regarding criminal offenses, custody and state supervision; meaningful experience counseling and providing supportive services to juveniles and their families; strong organizational, interpersonal and decision making skills; significant experience working with juvenile court systems and school systems; or any equivalent combination of education and/or experience relevant to the following essential tasks and skills:

• Thorough knowledge of state and federal laws pertaining to juveniles regarding criminal offenses, custody, confidentiality, emancipation, probation, and incarceration.
• Thorough knowledge of judicial proceedings and protocols utilized for juvenile offenders including conducting arraignments, filing petitions, setting dockets, etc.
• Thorough knowledge of treatment options available in the community to address mental health needs, chemical dependency issues and family dynamics.
• Thorough knowledge of contemporary counseling techniques utilized for families and adolescents.
• Thorough knowledge of adolescent behavior and development and the testing techniques available to diagnose juveniles and/or family members.
• Thorough knowledge of the confidentiality requirements associated with juvenile offenders including protected health information and HIPAA regulations.
• Considerable knowledge of school systems regulations, policies and procedures pertaining to suspension, behavior, and discipline.
• Considerable knowledge of mediation and crisis management techniques utilized for dysfunctional families and deviant behavior among children.
• Considerable knowledge of drug testing procedures and protocols.
• Ability to successfully intervene and provide appropriate assistance to juveniles and/or their families when required.
• Ability to effectively counsel and provide guidance for troubled youth and their families.
• Ability to interact successfully with local officials, law enforcement personnel, social service providers, clients, coworkers and the public.
• Ability to prepare and maintain confidential records and reports of juveniles assigned to their caseload.
• Ability to prioritize job related activities to meet workload demands and established deadlines.
• Ability to consistently make timely and appropriate decisions in response to situations encountered on the job.
• Ability to utilize proprietary, word processing, spreadsheet, and database management software applications.
• Skill in the use of conflict resolution, negotiation, and mediation techniques. Necessary Special Requirements
• Possession of a valid Tennessee Driver's License and the ability to obtain vehicle insurance at standard rates.
• Must pass a criminal background check prior to employment.
• Must successfully attend a minimum of fifteen (15) hours training annually as required by TCCY guidelines.
• Clearance through the methamphetamine registry, sex abuse registry, felony record check, abuse registry, and local records and driver's license checks.
• Certified in Drug Screening protocols. Physical Requirements
• This is medium work requiring the exertion of 50 pounds of force occasionally and up to 10 pounds of force to move objects.
• Work requires balancing, stooping, crouching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, and lifting.
• Hand and finger dexterity is required for grasping, feeling, etc.
• Vocal communication is required for conveying detailed or important instructions to others accurately, loudly, or quickly.
• Hearing is required to receive detailed information through oral communications and/or to make fine distinctions in sound.
• Visual acuity is required for night vision, peripheral vision, preparing and analyzing written or computer data, visual inspection involving small defects and/or small parts, use of measuring devices, operation of motor vehicles or equipment, determining the accuracy and thoroughness of work, and observing general surroundings and activities.
• Incumbents are subject to inside and occasional outside environmental conditions, cold, heat, noise, and atmospheric conditions.
• They may be exposed to blood borne pathogens and may be required to wear specialized personnel protective equipment.

The intent of this position description is to provide a representative summary of duties and responsibilities that will be required of positions given this title and is not a declaration of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees may be assigned job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

From $23.09 per hour Expected hours: No less than 35.0 per week

Benefits:

401(k) Dental insurance Employee assistance program Flexible spending account Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Paid time off Retirement plan Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person