Juvenile Probation Officer 1

In order to be considered for this position, applicants must successfully submit a completed application prior to the posting deadline. Applications submitted with incomplete or missing education and/or work experience sections will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed. These applicants will be disqualified from consideration. The attachment of a resume to the application does not fulfill this requirement and will not prevent incomplete applications from being rejected. Education and work experience fields must be completed, regardless of the presence of an attached resume.

Once the posting closes, all applications will be reviewed. The information provided on the application will be utilized to determine whether or not each applicant meets the Minimum Requirements for this position as noted in the Job Description. We encourage all applicants to provide a comprehensive, concise history of their education, certification, licensing, and employment history. Please read the Minimum Requirements thoroughly and then demonstrate that you meet these requirements on your application.

For questions regarding this posting, please contact Sherry Christman, Human Resources Analyst at schristman@norcopa.gov or 610-829-6382.

Equal Employment Opportunities - It is the policy of Northampton County to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, sex, gender identity, gender expression, age, genetic information, disability, or any other status protected by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and any other state, federal, or local law.

GENERAL PURPOSE
The Juvenile Probation Officer 1 position is social service work at the entry level, providing counseling, guidance, and supervision to juveniles on probation and their families. Work includes gathering information, determining assistance needed by the client, and contacting various agencies for these services. This position is assigned a caseload of individuals on a primarily geographic basis. Assignments increase in scope and complexity, including the greater breadth of approaches taken, as the employee in this role develops experience and skill in field. This position is differentiated from related positions by the responsibility for carrying out assigned duties, the greater oversight due to less experience in the field, and the juvenile clientele.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED
This position reports directly to a supervisory probation officer in the juvenile field.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED
This position is not responsible for the supervision of other employees or functions.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF THE POSITION
Reviews and examines complaint and charges of delinquency. Determines type of offense. Gathers facts and ensures that they constitute a misdemeanor, felony, or failure to pay a fine for the commission of a summary offense. Establishes age of the offender and ensures proper jurisdiction.

Arranges transfer of disposition or probation to another County if delinquent acts are committed by non-residents of the County.

Conducts intake interviews with juveniles, their family, and victim if applicable. Gathers information from the juvenile and other sources including family members, school personnel, police, and social service agencies. Discusses complaint and circumstances with juvenile and family. Utilizes risk/need assessment instruments. Summarizes data and prepares summary outlining problem areas. Determines need for pre-trial detention.

Prepares petition, attends court hearings, and makes recommendations regarding the juveniles' predispositional status. Meets with families and juvenile to review and discuss results of court hearings.

Conducts social history investigation. Contacts and interviews families, schools, counseling agencies, and others regarding juvenile. Prepares social investigation reports. Develops treatments plans for each client based on the data collected and type of supervision ordered by the Court.

Meets with juvenile in the office and field. Determines activities and problems. Assists juveniles in resolving same. Determines conformance with supervision requirements. Informs client of effects of failure to follow requirements. Contacts community based counseling, treatment centers, and other social service agencies to arrange for treatment. Monitors and documents results.

Arranges for court dates, hearings, and related matters, completing necessary court forms. Meets with clients and families to explain proceedings and results. Arranges for, or transports clients to and from, appointments. Attends court proceedings and presents testimony and necessary documents. Present recommendations to the Court. Prepares written case reports.

Detains juveniles if established criteria apply. Completes forms necessary for client's detention. Informs all parties of hearing, result, reason for detention, and location of facility. Assists in the apprehension and detention of clients in violation of the terms of their supervision.

Coordinates arrangements for placement of a juvenile in a residential treatment program. Visits juvenile in such facilities and foster care. Evaluates needs of client and recommends facility. Discusses goals and objectives of such placement with juveniles and families.

Documents all contacts. Gathers and records factual data on each client.

Attends seminars, meetings, and conferences to expand knowledge and learn of changes in the field.

Establishes restitution accounts. Monitors and collects payments.

*An employee assigned to this title shall perform a majority, but may not perform all, of the duties listed in this job description. Conversely, minor level duties performed on the job may not be listed. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE- Completion of a Bachelor's degree with major course work in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, Criminal Justice, or a closely related field; AND

Employee assigned to this title will be required to possess and maintain a valid and current motor vehicle operator's license. Must have an acceptable driving record. Personal vehicle required for County business; employee is eligible for mileage reimbursement.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of casework principles and practices.

Knowledge of counseling methods and techniques pertaining to juvenile offenders, their families, and victims.

Knowledge of interview methods and techniques applicable to juveniles, families, victims, and representatives of other criminal justice agencies.

Basic knowledge of the principles and policies of the juvenile justice probation system including laws, statues, and legal precedents.

Basic knowledge of individual and group behavior including that of individuals involved in delinquent or other unacceptable behavior.

Basic knowledge of available community resources dealing with social, psychological, medical, economic, and other elements affecting juveniles.

Ability to learn specific Court rules and regulations of juvenile probation work.

Ability to plan, document, and carry out all steps necessary to conduct comprehensive client assessment and evaluation.

Ability to identify and locate sources of information about juvenile background.

Ability to prepare and maintain accurate and complete caseload records for use by others.

Ability to effectively communicate with clients, families, members of the judiciary, attorneys, associates, other Court and County officials, and members of the public.

Ability to read, write, speak, understand and communicate in English to perform the duties of this position.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
Telephone/cellphone, personal computer (including word processing and spreadsheet software), calculator, writing implements, fax machine, copy machine, paper shredder, expandable baton, Oleoresin Capsicum (O.C.) spray, body armor, and handcuffs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit, talk, or hear.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to twenty-five (25) pounds.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

SELECTION GUIDELINES
Formal application, rating of education and experience, interview, and reference check as well as job related tests may be required.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

FLSA STATUS: FLSA NON-EXEMPT (ELIGIBLE FOR OVERTIME)
DESIGNATION: CAREER SERVICE
PAY GRADE: CP/GR22
UNION STATUS: NON UNION COURT-APPOINTED PROFESSIONAL

Updated February 2025