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Job Description: JOB SUMMARY - A Juvenile Probation Supervisor is a highly responsible professional position within the Juvenile Probation Department. The juvenile probation supervisor supports the direction, administration, and coordination of all juvenile probation operations through managerial support, coaching/counseling staff, assigning workload, and evaluating performance of staff. This position supervises Probation Officers who work with youth who are in out-of-home placements, youth with sexual charges, youth with mental health, intellectual and developmental disabilities and our victim advocate.
- A Juvenile Probation Supervisor supports the continuous professional development of staff to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Pennsylvania Juvenile Act, Rules of Juvenile Court Procedure, Principles of Balanced and Restorative Justice, Juvenile Justice Evidence-Based Practices and departmental policies. The mission and purpose of the Juvenile Act mandates that youth who commit delinquent acts be provided programs of supervision, care and rehabilitation which provide balanced attention to the protection of the community, the imposition of accountability for offenses committed and the development of competencies to enable children to become responsible and productive members of the community, which fully embrace the principles of Balanced and Restorative Justice. Evidence-based Practices employ assessments, interventions, and treatment approaches that have been demonstrated by sound research to work most effectively to reduce recidivism with juvenile offenders, and enables Pennsylvania's Juvenile Justice System to fulfill its mission and purpose.
- In performance of these duties and responsibilities a Juvenile Probation Supervisor does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, or marital status, and demonstrates cultural competence. In order to adequately perform these duties and responsibilities, a Juvenile Probation supervisor needs to possess, develop, and continually refine the following knowledge, skills, and abilities.
REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS - An employee is this classification reports directly to the Deputy Director
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS IN THE CASEWORK SPECIALITY:
- 30% Evaluates families referred for counseling, meeting with parents, other adults in residence, juvenile clients, siblings, caretakers other than parents and other individuals in the domestic setting; discusses atmosphere and relationships within the family environment; explains parenting skills and alternative courses of action for daily situations as well as major incidents; visits the home to determine relationships and dynamics of individuals and the group's interactions; secures verbal commitment or agreement from family members to work on improving family situation; keeps regular contacts to determine status of situation, assist with difficulties and provide support; records activities; determines needs for and arranges supplemental and/or formal action and related work with other agencies.
IN THE INVESTIGATION SPECIALITY:
- 30 % Coordinates Court schedules for subordinate and related staff; notifies involved parties of Court dates and insures availability of court personnel; reviews all cases for pertinent issues and completeness of findings and recommendations; assists staff and other Court personnel in presentation of cases; insures completion of required forms and documentation; insures established time frames for such hearings are being met; prepares staff for testimony in hearings; oversees preparation of records and other processing.
IN BOTH SPECIALITIES:
- 15% Discusses individual cases with assigned probation officers to determine status of cases, review action taken and/or recommended, identify alternatives for specific situations and approve evaluations and recommendations; insures adequacy of documentation by reviewing case files and checking with assigned officer; formally oversees caseloads assigned to new officers, questioning recommendations, alternatives considered, client's responses and reactions, and officer's opinions; answers questions from staff and related Court and outside officials about caseload and probation and parole practices.
- 15 % Coordinates activities and caseload with other units within the office and related Court and other functions; represents office in actions with police, treatment, rehabilitation, school, institution and other agencies; takes part in advisory functions in related State and local organizations; makes formal presentations to interested community groups; testifies in Court actions affecting clients to describe status of probation and/or parole, evaluation and recommendations.
- 10% Personally reviews case histories for clients facing commitment or imminent violation of probation or parole; discusses case, findings and recommendations with assigned probation officer; interviews client, family members and other individuals to determine validity of conclusions; evaluates client record and situation and formulates official office conclusions.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - Education equivalent to completion of a bachelor's degree program with at least 18 credit hours of course work in psychology, social work, counseling or closely related field.
- Four years of experience as a probation officer, or in a related field such as criminal justice or counseling, two years of which shall have been at the full performance level in the area of specialization, including substantial contact with juvenile clients.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES I. Leadership •Demonstrates enthusiastic dedication to innovative public service, client-driven service, and personal growth •Demonstrates essential performance behaviors and operational objective and goals •Demonstrates a commitment to being a life-long learner. and an active day-to-day desire and effort to continuously learn •Demonstrates commitment to the department's vision and mission, and an ability to develop a mental image of the ideal organization based on that vision and mission •Demonstrates the capacity to create a sense of purpose even in stressful times, and to generate and maintain a high level of morale •Demonstrates self-motivation, with the ability to shift priorities to meet needs when unanticipated problems occur •Demonstrates an ability to delegate assignments or responsibilities for effective time management and improved productivity •Demonstrates personal integrity and abides by the Code of Ethics II. Models Core Competencies of Evidence-Based Practice •Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and policies of the Juvenile Justice System, including statutes, rules, and regulations •Models evidence-based juvenile probation practices and coaches skill development of staff to assess and interprets criminogenic risk/needs of juveniles, skill-building within juveniles, and participates in role play and practice sessions that assist staff in engagement practices and behavior change activities with juveniles •Supports and monitors staff with regard to quality case planning, by developing and reviewing case supervision plans and checklists, case consultation meetings, audit forms; providing direct observation and feedback; and monitoring staff performance with an emphasis upon increasing skills and competencies •Directs and develops staff competencies in the effective use of rewards and sanctions, and role-modeling of pro-social behavior •Builds staff relationships that are consistent with professional alliance traits, including, but not limited to, Authentic, Empathetic, Empowering, Respectful, and Strength-based •Models motivational interviewing (MI), as well as assists in developing staff competencies in the use of motivation interviewing III. Communication •Utilizes effective interpersonal skills, including the ability to present information and respond to questions from the Juvenile Court, County officials, colleagues, law enforcement and other agencies •Provides courtroom testimony consistent with Balanced and Restorative Principles and Evidence-Based Practices •Demonstrates cultural competency, by leading, communicating, and working effectively with people of all skills, genders, and racial and ethnic backgrounds •Communicates effectively, orally and in writing, and demonstrates good listening skills •Manages conflict, using mediation and negotiation skills to facilitate resolution IV. Coaching •Demonstrates the ability to set staff performance expectations consistent with job descriptions and reflected in performance appraisals •Demonstrates skills to coach and guide those under supervision to fully utilize their skills and talents consistent with the mission and goals of balanced and restorative justice, and evidence-based practices •Provides opportunities for professional development of staff through the temporary assignment or delegation of greater responsibilities •Demonstrates the ability and willingness to work with others as team player •Provides constructive feedback, coaching, and mentoring V. Critical Thinking •Organizes, analyzes, and interprets information to make sound decisions and accept responsibility and accountability for those decisions •Exercises good judgement and develops sound, well-reasoned solutions to organizational problems •Understands and analyzes financial information and budgetary requirements to efficiently and effectively manage staff responsibilities and department resources VI. Use of Management Tools and Technology •Demonstrates an ability to ensure the accurate and timely input of information and data by staff into the PA Juvenile Case Management System (PaJCMS) •Demonstrates an ability to design, manage, and interpret information/data collection systems to monitor and evaluate staff and department performance, including but not limited to, dashboard tools •Demonstrates an ability to use, teach, and manage tools and processes designed into the PaJCMS to monitor, manage, and evaluate activities by juvenile probation officers, youth and their families •Demonstrates an ability to utilize common software packages such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS/CLEARANCES
- Pa. Driver's License
- Pre-employment drug test
- Pa Criminal background check
- Federal Bureau of Investigation Criminal Background check
- Pa. Child Abuse Clearance
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT - The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions
- This position has been identified as having the potential for exposure to Hepatitis B. Access to training and a voluntary vaccination against Hepatitis B is provided.
- Ability to sit, sometimes for long periods of time
- Ability to escort clients from waiting area to office
- Ability to operate a computer or laptop
- Ability to lift and move files weighing up to 10 pounds
- Ability to take a juvenile into custody
- Ability to defend oneself from personal attack
- Ability to provide own transportation to and from clients' homes, school or workplace as well as to and from appointments, meetings etc. in a timely manner and ability to access those locations with reasonable accommodations.
The County of Lancaster offers comprehensive benefits to our employees. Read more about our benefits here. Lancaster County Government provides Equal Employment Opportunity for all persons regardless of race, religion, age, sex, national origin, genetic information or disability. The County also observes all applicable laws regarding Veterans status. The County reflects this action in all areas of employment and compensation practices and policies. Employment with the County is based upon the ability to perform the job as well as dependability and reliability once an individual is hired.