Job Description - Juvenile Probation Officer

Duties & Responsibilities

Prepares and presents reports to the court, commitment programs and other service providers. Provides and documents supervision and case management of clients placed on supervision as required by statute, department policies and procedures and Quality Improvement (QI) standards relating to probation, commitment, conditional release, etc…

Maintains and updates case files on all delinquent youth per Department of Juvenile Justice standards, policies, procedures and QI standards. Make recommendations to the State Attorney’s Office within statutory time frames; provides necessary services, after initialing on-going assessment of the youth. Coordinates services, staffing, including multi-disciplinary staffing (Commitment Conferences) and assessments as needed. Provides information for Interstate Compact on Juveniles (ICJ) as requested.

Appears in court as required providing the necessary reports and information. Gather information as directed by statute, policy and procedure and QI standards.

Ensures updated information is reflected in the Juvenile Justice Information System (JJIS) or other designated computer database information systems.

Submits timesheets and mileage reimbursements timely and correctly, attend trainings as required, maintains relationship with other Department of Juvenile Justice components and community agencies.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge, skills and abilities, including utilization of equipment, required for the position:

• Ability to understand, interpret and implement policies, law and procedures in regards to Florida Statute Chapter 985.
• Ability to communicate in writing.
• Ability to provide counseling service to others.
• Ability to meet and interact with people appropriately.
• Ability to plan, organize, prioritize and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to analyze problems and develop appropriate course of action. Skill in typing or in the use of a keyboard controlled data input device.
• Ability to follow verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to read and record information.
• Ability to review data for accuracy.
• Ability to work quickly and accurately.
• Knowledge of JJIS (Juvenile Justice Information System).
• Ability to read and interpret maps by address.

Additional requirements include:

• CPR/First Aid and PAR certification.
• Proof of education (copy of degree or transcripts).
• A valid State of Florida Driver's License.

If you are interested in applying for a Juvenile Probation Officer position, please contact the Chief Probation Officers in your county, or visit People First and apply online today!

Job Description - Juvenile Detention Officer

Duties & Responsibilities

This is a highly responsible position in the criminal justice system. The employee is expected to perform all duties in the optimum responsible manner, demonstrate leadership by being a positive role model for staff, youth and community and treat all persons with dignity and respect.

• Ensures the safe and secure custody of all assigned youth while ensuring that all youth are provided their constitutional rights with special concerns for legal, medical and mental health issues. Uses security and emergency equipment to ensure the safety and security of detained youth and facility.
• Process admissions, which includes supervising and searching detained youth.
• Prepares detained youth for court appearances, transports and escorts detained youth to medical, criminal justice, social services and judicial facilities as needed according to departmental and facility policy and procedures.
• Inspects facility, detained youth, visitors and packages delivered to the facility, as well as conduct searches related to safety and security to include but not limited to vehicles, facilities, property and person for contraband, health hazards, safety and security violations.
• Writes reports and prepare required records regarding incidents, detained youth movement and noteworthy information and ensures the documentation of all violations of facility operating procedures, rules and regulations and state and federal statutes.
• Ensure the inspection and maintenance of sanitary conditions of the facility. Instructs detained youth in housekeeping sanitation responsibilities and personal hygiene.
• Ensure that detained youth’s services and programming are in compliance with DJJ and court orders, regulations, departmental policies and procedures and Quality Improvement (QI) Standards.
• Follows policies and procedures for the safety and security of detained youth, staff and the public.
• Supervises youth in all activities and maintain control of detained youth by giving directives, counseling and/or utilizing appropriate level of verbal or physical use of Protective Action Response (PAR) as needed to properly control detained youth in accordance with departmental an d facility policy and procedure.
• Initiates and maintain detained youth counts as directed by departmental and facility operating procedures and policy.
• Completes 10-minute checks, 5-minute check or Constant Sight and Uninterrupted Sound Supervision for every detained youth confined to room confinement or designated as suicidal.
• Accesses and analyzes information available through the Juvenile Justice Information System.
• Successfully completes all required training and attend required meetings.
• Performs other related duties.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge, skills and abilities, including utilization of equipment, required for the position:

• Ability to communicate both written and verbal.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide rational numbers.
• Ability to prepare and maintain reports and records.
• Ability to effectively work with youth, co-workers, supervisors and the public.
• Knowledge of good housekeeping tasks relative to maintaining the sanity conditions of the facility.
• Knowledge of good hygiene.
• Knowledge of Department and facility policies and procedures.
• Ability to understand and follow verbal and written instructions in a timely manner.
• Ability to determine the appropriate level of use of force.
• Ability to observe changes in youth's behavior.
• Ability to provide constructive feedback to correct behavior.

If you are interested in applying for a Juvenile Detention Officer position, please contact the Detention Center in the county where you would like to work, or visit People First and apply online today! 

Job Description - Juvenile Residential Officer

Duties & Responsibilities

A Juvenile Justice Residential Officer shall lead by positive example, serving as a role model to youth while supervising and escorting juvenile residents and maintaining a physical position that allows the Officer to see and hear what all the residents are doing and saying at all times.  Other duties include but are not limited to the following:

Perform visual head counts of youth in residence at the beginning and ending of each shift and all other head counts as directed by program and DJJ policies and procedures.

• Supervise residents to and from all assigned areas on or off campus in a timely manner.
• Be familiar with established fence zones and be able to assist in apprehending residents if needed.
• Acquire and maintain appropriate training and certification in approved DJJ Protective Action Response Techniques (PAR), CPR and First Aid, and any training and certification mandated by DJJ or the State of Florida as a condition of continued employment.
• Practice conflict resolution and de-escalation methods learned in PAR.
• Write reports, read and document all pertinent information in the logbook. Complete all established forms and reports in a correct, legible and timely manner.
• Ensure the buildings and grounds are cleared and perimeter checks are conducted as directed by policy and procedure. Ensure all unoccupied vehicles are secured. Ensure all locks are accounted for and secured at all times.
• Identify and coordinate each resident’s medical and dental needs. Be aware when a resident needs medical or dental attention and respond within a timely manner according to policy and procedure. Maintain a sick call list daily. Ensure residents get to sick call and dental appointments on time and that any emergencies are seen by medical staff as soon as possible.
• Inventory safety equipment and account for all property at beginning of each shift. Account for inventory and secure all pod keys, daily behavior reports, point cards and recreation equipment.
• Complete work orders as needed for facility or equipment repairs.
• Attend staff meetings and all scheduled training sessions. Attend and be actively involved in scheduled format and program reviews.
• Have complete understanding and knowledge of all rules regulations, policies and procedures as it relates to the care, custody and control of juvenile delinquents and adhere to all of them.
• Perform all other related duties as required.

Please visit the People First  website for an Employment Application. Since DJJ residential programs are 95% privatized, you may wish to call a Residential Facility in your county for more information about applying to be a Juvenile Justice Residential Officer with the private provider's corporation. See state-owned residential facilities below.

DJJ State-operated Residential Facilities