Probation Counselor Ii

Job Announcement

In the Probation Division of the Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court (JDRDC), under the general supervision of the Unit Director, provides case management services and supervision of youth ordered on probation by the court. Monitors compliance with court-ordered conditions and requirements. Completes court-ordered investigations and writes reports. Attends court hearings and makes recommendations for disposition.

Administers validated assessment tools, such as the Youth Assessment Screening Instrument (YASI), and uses information to develop case service plans with the participation of the youth and family to address areas of risk and needs. Employs a variety of counseling techniques and evidenced based interventions during probation contacts, including, but not limited to, motivational interviewing and Effective Practices in Community Supervision (EPICS) to facilitate behavior change. Makes referrals for appropriate treatment or services when necessary, utilizing least restrictive interventions while building upon the youth and family’s natural supports. Works collaboratively with other agencies and service providers. Uses graduated sanctions when appropriate to address non-compliant behavior in lieu of formal court action, and incentives when desired behavior is demonstrated. Files probation and/or court order violations and returns cases to court for non-compliance when appropriate.

Supervises and visits youth placed in juvenile detention centers, treatment programs, and residential facilities. Follows policies and procedural guidelines set by the agency and the state Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ). May require frequent travel to various locations throughout Fairfax County and the Commonwealth of Virginia.

May be required to provide short-term case management and supervision of cases diverted from Juvenile Intake, and other duties as assigned by the Unit Director.

The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 39.8% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.

Illustrative Duties

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position description.)

Counseling and Treatment Services
Conducts intake interviews and supervises offenders/defendants through office and home visits to verify compliance with court-orders;
Formulates treatment or rehabilitation plans for and presents written or oral recommendations for adjustment of behavior;
Supervises and monitors community service requirements; schedules payments, collects court costs and restitution; monitors urine tests;
Supervises visits or exchanges according to court orders or other relevant agreements;
Provides intensive supervision/monitoring, counseling and treatment of juvenile and adult offenders;
Interviews juvenile or adult offenders, their families and related persons to determine the nature of the adjustment difficulty;
Refers offenders/defendants to other agencies or facilities as needed and maintains liaison with service providers to coordinate evaluations;
Conducts field investigations;
Testifies in court and provides required written reports on adjustment and compliance to courts;
Documents and maintains prescribed records of casework services and periodically compiles related statistics:
Aids clients in obtaining employment;
Arranges for the court appearance of the client and family;
Informs clients of available community resources;
Arranges appointments for medical examinations and psychological testing;
Cooperates with representatives from State and local social service and law enforcement agencies in cases of mutual interest;
Composes and dictates case records, petitions and correspondence;

Intake Officer
Provides intake services, determines probable cause, issues related to jurisdiction, venue and appropriateness of filing petitions and/or issuance of detention or shelter care orders; Reviews complaints filed by law enforcement and citizens, conducts assessments to determine appropriateness for diversion;
Case manages diversion clients;
Decisions are made in compliance with the Code of Virginia, and Department of Juvenile Justice and/or Court Services Unit policies and procedures;

Residential Services:
Positions located in a residential facility supervise and direct house routines and therapeutic programs;
Ensures that residents maintain behavioral norms;
Coordinates and implements a residential program area such as recreational, educational or employment activities;
May drive a passenger van for educational and recreational trips;
Maintains on-going contact/communication with victims and witnesses during investigation and judicial proceedings;
Works with and assists the officers and detectives within a district station assignment with the victim services and referrals;
Provides court accompaniment to crime victim and witnesses for all court proceedings in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations, General District and Circuit Courts;
Responds to call-outs to crime scenes and other locations to provide immediate crisis intervention and support;
Provides training to departmental staff, commonwealth attorneys, judicial staff, and other relevant community organizations;

Alcohol Safety Action Program (ASAP) Case Management Services
Works with court referred clients who have been charged/convicted of impaired driving offenses and first time drug offenders;
Maintains a caseload of court referred and volunteer clients;
Interviews clients during intake process and assigns appropriate program classification;
Writes intake summary on each client interviewed;
Conducts case management duties to include monitoring of ignition interlock and administration of alcohol breath tests;
Monitors clients progress and make referral as needed;
Writes and prepares reports to the courts, clients and treatment providers;
Testifies in court on non-compliant cases, make appropriate recommendations when requested by the judge;

Victims Services
Provides supportive services to victims and witnesses of crime involved in the criminal justice system including emotional support, financial assistance, counseling, and victim agency referrals;
Maintains on-going contact/communication with victims and witnesses during investigation and judicial proceedings, and provides notifications of investigative activity or case developments as needed;
Provides court accompaniment to crime victim and witnesses for all court proceedings in the Juvenile and Domestic Relations, General District and Circuit Courts;
Reduces delays in bringing cases to court by assisting in determining availability of victims and witnesses;
Responds to call-outs to crime scenes and other locations to provide immediate crisis intervention and support, refers clients to related supportive services and agencies;
Operates a county vehicle to provide the effective delivery of services to victims and witnesses including transporting victims and witnesses to court hearings, commonwealth's attorneys meetings and other court related appointments;
Provides assistance by administering and providing services designed to enhance coordination among agencies operating within the criminal justice system;
Works with and assists the officers and detectives within their district station assignment or the criminal investigations bureau with the proper victim services and referrals;
Encourage citizen awareness and participation through public information and education.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)

Knowledge of casework supervision practices and procedures;
Knowledge of the principles of psychology and sociology;
Knowledge of current social and economic conditions;
Ability to use technology to enter and retrieve information;
Ability to interpret laws, rules, and regulations related to probation work and victim services;
Ability to interview and counsel clients;
Ability to prepare complete case records and reports;
Ability to develop effective working relationships with a variety of individuals.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following: (Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in social/behavioral sciences, criminal justice, or education plus two years of professional experience in probation work, social work, criminal justice, juvenile justice, education, or counseling. A master's degree in the disciplines above may be substituted for one year of the required experience.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
Valid Driver's License (Required at the time of application)
First Aid (Required within 30 days)
CPR (Required within 30 days)
Handle With Care (Required within 30 days)
Medication Management (Required within 6 months)
National Crime Information Center (NCIC) (Required within 6 months)

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to the position will be required to complete the following to the satisfaction of the employer:

• Criminal Background Investigation
• Child Protective Services Registry Check
• Driving Record Check

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Two years of experience in the use of evidence-based tools to assess needs of clients and their families.
• Two years of experience in interviewing families and collecting collateral information in order to write pre-dispositional reports and to make recommendations to a Judge in a courtroom setting.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills, and the ability to work with a diverse clientele of different ethnicities and socio-economic statuses.
• Ability to work and make decisions independently with minimal supervision.
• Two years of experience with cross-agency collaboration and working with other service providers.
• Knowledge of local community-based resources for youth and families, and experience accessing services through the Comprehensive Services Act.
• Knowledge of the Code of Virginia, Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) standards, and local court service unit policy and procedures.
• Fully proficient in the use of DJJ's Balance Approach Data Gathering Environment (BADGE), and the Supreme Court of Virginia's Case Management System (CMS) computer programs.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Duties require the ability to access client's home and other locations (i.e., work sites) as necessary to conduct background interviews and supervision meetings.
• Visual and auditory acuity is required to read computer monitor, incumbent must be able to operate keyboard-driven equipment.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle.
• Duties may require the ability to transport youth/adults for placement interviews and occasional medical appointments.
• All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include a practical exercise.

The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 39.8% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov. EEO/AA/TTY.

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Requisition 23-02774