Juvenile Probation Officer
A Juvenile Probation Officer performs duties and responsibilities consistent with the requirements of the Pennsylvania Juvenile Act, Rules of Juvenile Court Procedure, Principles of Balanced and Restorative Justice, and Juvenile Justice Evidence-Based Practices. 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 order to adequately perform these duties and responsibilities, a juvenile probation officer needs to possess, develop, and continually refine the following knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Examples of Work Performed
- Receives, reviews, and evaluates delinquent allegations of youth
- Conducts interviews and investigations with youth, family, victims and other relevant individuals/entities, in the field or office.
- Administers and interprets screening and/or assessments instruments, including the Youth Level of Service (YLS), Pennsylvania Detention Risk Assessment Instrument (PaDRAI), and other instruments
- Prepares reports and makes recommendations to the Juvenile Court based on interviews, investigations, and results of screening and/or assessments instruments
- Prepares a case plan to address criminogenic risk/need domains consistent with the principles of Balanced and Restorative Justice to ensure that balanced attention is provided to the needs of the community, the victim, and the offender
- Provides supervision and interventions based upon case plan, conditions of probation, and Orders of the Court, in the field or in the office.
- Assures adherence to victims’ rights in accordance with the Pennsylvania Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights
- Establishes a plan for collection of restitution ordered by the Juvenile Court and/or other reparations to the victim so ordered by the Court
- Collaborates with the youth’s family and community resources based on case plan
- Provides directly and/or facilitates individual and/or group cognitive behavioral and skill building interventions for youth based on training and expertise to address identified criminogenic risk/needs
- Makes referrals for community-based services for youth based on case plan and monitors and assesses progress
- Employs graduated response systems to encourage and support desired behaviors and discourage and hold youth accountable for undesired behaviors
- Takes into custody and places in an alternative to detention program or detains in secure detention facility based on risk to appear for hearings and/or commit additional delinquent acts while pending a hearing before the Juvenile Court Judge
- Makes referral to residential services and monitors progress based on the criminogenic risk/needs identified in the case plan
- Maintains detailed and accurate records of the youth’s progress and compliance with the requirements of the case plan and conditions of probation
- Evaluates and makes recommendations for discharge of the youth from Juvenile Court supervision
- Other duties, as required
Education, Experience, Certifications, and Professional Development
- Minimum requirement for employment as a juvenile probation officer is a bachelor’s degree, with a background of at least 18 credits in the behavioral or social sciences from an accredited college or university.
- Prior to employment will be required to obtain Child Abuse Clearance, and Pennsylvania State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation Criminal Background Checks
- Required to maintain a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license
- Upon employment complete a minimum of 40 hours of annual professional development as recommended by the Juvenile Court Judge’s Commission/Center for Juvenile Justice Training & Research Training Policy.
Please email your cover letter, resume, and county application to Norm Mueller at nmueller@westmorelandcountypa.gov.
To find additional information, please visit the link provided.