JUVENILE INTAKE OFFICER

Summary:

The primary function of this position will be to meet with parents and juveniles (after investigation) to enter into a voluntary diversion agreement and supervision of such terms throughout the duration of the agreement. The officer must be acquainted with different resources and programs to provide services to the juvenile and family.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Maintain confidentiality pursuant to AR Code Annotated 9-27-309.
• Ability to interpret and abide by the Juvenile Code, Criminal Code and other state and federal laws.
• Coordinate with the Prosecuting Attorney on the filing of a Family in Need of Services or Delinquent petition.
• Receive Intake paperwork (police reports, petition, etc.) and investigate the history of the juvenile and family status to determine if the case meets the diversion criteria. Investigation includes contacting the school regarding school performance, gathering the criminal history of the juvenile and other viable information. If the juvenile meets the criteria, the Intake Officer will then meet with the family and juvenile to enter into a diversionary agreement.
• Supervision of juveniles may consist of routine meetings with juveniles and parents, school officials, and other agencies. Maintain working knowledge of residence, activities and employment of juveniles; supervise school attendance and grades; set up and monitor community service; set up and monitor services to be provided by other agencies, monitor payment of supervision fees and refer case to the Intake Officer Supervisor if the terms are not completed within the agreed timeframe.
• Test and analyze drug screens on the juveniles.
• Ability to attend training and teach classes to juveniles. Attend programs or classes offered by other agencies to juveniles involved in the court system.
• Perform clerical duties that involve word processing, data entry, photocopying, filing, prepare and send mailing/correspondence, and FAX documents.
• Be prepared to facilitate and attend mediation sessions when needed.

Qualification Requirements:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The Juvenile Intake Officer must be professional, have initiative, exceptional time management, organizational skills, problem solving and decision making skills; excellent written and verbal skills; ability to work well with other individuals and agencies and be able to work with minimum supervision to successfully complete his/her duties.

The Juvenile Intake Officer deal with professional people and agencies on a daily basis, involving furnishing and obtaining information and coordination of work. Contacts with county offices and officials, with other agencies including schools, Department of Human Services, Detention Centers, Medical Treatment Centers, Attorneys, Counselors, Law Enforcement agencies (local and out-of-state) parents and guardians of juveniles, Interstate Compact, Division of Youth Services and other Probation Offices (local and out-of-state).

The Juvenile Intake Officer must have “people skills” and maintain flexibility both at work and home since they are on twenty-four hour call. They must maintain a professional demeanor at all times and have the ability to de-escalate intense situations.

The Juvenile Intake Officer must have the ability to perform multiple tasks and work independently to ensure that both crisis situations and daily matters are handled accurately and efficiently.

Officers must maintain a current valid driver’s license.

Education and/or Experience:

Must possess a four- year degree in Sociology, Psychology, Criminal Justice, Education, or related field; attend a forty (40) hour certification course though the Administrative Office of the Courts.

A minimum of 12 hours of continuing education a year is mandatory. Preference is given to additional hours of training including drug/substance abuse issues, mental health areas, abuse and sexual abuse, dysfunctional family problems, divorce, etc. Bi-lingual is an asset due to the increase of Hispanic families in the judicial system.

Physical Demands:

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, sit, walk, talk or hear, use hand to finger, handle or feel, reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

Work Environment:

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

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, sit, walk, talk or hear, use hand to finger, handle or feel, reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.