Juvenile Probation Officer, Standard Level at Saline County · Benton

2026 Saline County

Juvenile Probation Officer, Standard Level

Job Description

                                               

Exempt:                                 No

Department:                          Juvenile

Reports To:                            Juvenile Director

Location:                                102 South Main, Benton, AR  72015

Safety Sensitive:                    This position is designated as safety/security sensitive and is subject to pre-employment, reasonable suspicion and random drug and alcohol screening.

 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION

Appointed by the Juvenile Division Judge, the Standard level Probation Officer position reports to the Director.  The Standard Level Probation Officer carries out the duties associated with supervising juveniles on delinquency probation and providing/coordinating services to Families In Need of Services (FINS).  This Standard level is junior status among probation officers and carries out training and consultation with colleagues and management on a regular basis. This position is designated as a "safety sensitive position" as defined by Act 593 of 2017.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Provides Juvenile Probation services, which are generally defined as meeting on a regular basis with juveniles adjudicated to be "delinquent"; ensuring that the juveniles are in compliance with the terms of their probation; and coordinating fines/counseling/classes/community service to facilitate a successful completion of probation if possible.
2. Handling Probation Violation cases which constitutes investigating, reporting, and creating necessary paperwork in coordination with the Prosecuting Attorney.
3. Provides guidance and services as well as coordination of outside services for Family in Need of Services (FINS) cases.
4. Meets with and provides support to Deputy Prosecuting Attorney as needed.
5. Appears in juvenile court for regular reports and recommendations on cases.
6. The Standard Level Probation Officer must be able to train new/entry level probation officers and be able to effectively collaborate on problem solving with all levels including other level IV's and supervisors.
7. Must maintain Juvenile Officers Certification and Auxiliary Officer Qualifications.
8. Must be able to learn and utilize specialized case management software (Trace).
9. Must be able to learn and utilize state mandated case reporting (Context).
10. Must be able to utilize the Structure Assessment of Violence and Risk Assessment in Youth (SAVRY) Assessment Tool. Required by the State of Arkansas upon entry of DYS.
11. Conducts drug testing on juveniles and adults.
12. Must be able to perform all duties of placing a juvenile on a ankle monitor and monitoring that juvenile 24 hours a day until removed from the device including responding to the location when needed.
13. Carry out home visits and conducts field operations related to probation supervision.
14. Must carry out all other appropriate directives of the Deputy Director, the Director, and the Juvenile Court Judge.
15. The position itself is defined by supervising juveniles adjudicated to be delinquent cases ranging from 25-35.
16. Perform any other related duties as required or assigned.

 

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty mentioned satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

A High School Diploma or GED with a broad knowledge of such fields as criminology, criminal justice, social work, etc. Equivalent to a four-year college degree, plus 4 years related experience and/or training, and 19 to 23 months related management experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Familiarity with laws, policies, and procedures related to the juvenile justice system is crucial.

 

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

Ability to read, analyze, and understand legal documents; ability to respond to complex or difficult inquiries or complaints from public or regulatory agencies.

REQUIRED CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

The ability to obtain and pass classes for an Auxiliary Officer Certification for armed juvenile officers (Part-time 2 certification) and certification requirements by the Arkansas Supreme Court Administrative Office of the Courts as a Juvenile Officer.  Both certifications must be maintained during employment. 

SOFTWARE SKILLS REQUIRED

Intermediate: Spreadsheet, Word Processing/Typing, Presentation/PowerPoint

 

USE OF MACHINES, EQUIPMENT AND/OR COMPUTERS

Regular use of specialized software programs.

 

WORKING CONDITIONS

Somewhat disagreeable working conditions. Continuously exposed to one or two elements such as noise, intermittent standing, walking, pushing, carrying, or lifting. May involve some travel and/or work is at times, in the evening or during the night hours.

 

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

The following work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

 The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

 

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES

The following physical activities 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 and expectations.

 

High diversity, low physical. Work activities which allow for considerable amount of diversity as an incumbent performs a variety of tasks. Such tasks might be performed from a given work area, or the individual may move about physically in performing a variety of duties.

 

While performing the functions of this job, the employee is continuously required to talk or hear; regularly required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms; occasionally required to climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds; regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision; distance vision; and color vision.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Probation Officers must make complex life-affecting decisions and recommendations on a regular basis.  The Standard level Probation position is the highest experienced level within the specific field and will regularly be called upon for consultation by less experienced officers and by their fellow level IV officers in collaboration on difficult cases.  This position is trusted only to experienced, mature individuals with a high level of "people skills" and the ability to make decisions appropriately.  Probation officers at this level must be able to communicate effectively and appropriately with professionals and with less sophisticated families and individuals who are involved in the Juvenile Court system.  This position is designated as a "safety sensitive position" as defined by Act 593 of 2017.

 

The duties listed above are intended only to show the various types of duties that will be performed.  The omission of specific statement of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.  All positions within the Juvenile Office are assigned by the Judge and/or the Juvenile Director and are subject to be changed when deem in the best interest of the office.

 

This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between Saline County and the employee and is subject to change by the employer if the need of the employer and requirements of the job change.

  

JUVENILE PROBATION OFFICER, STANDARD LEVEL

• Starting rate of $44,626 annually for a new hire.
• Promotional rate for an established employee of $49,585 annually (an individual who has been a full-time Saline County employee for more than 90 days) who has the experience and is working toward the following certifications:
  • Education – High School Diploma or GED with a broad knowledge of fields such as criminology, criminal justice, social work, etc. with 4 years related experience and/or training and 19-23 months management experience (management does not have to be in supervision of other employees but can be managing multiple responsibilities/cases and meeting deadlines is a key factor). Familiarity with laws, policies and procedures related to the juvenile justice system is crucial.
  • Required Certifications, Licenses, Registrations – upon hiring, the applicant must work towards his/her juvenile certification and auxiliary officer certification within the first year. Both certifications must be maintained during employment.
• This position is designated as a “safety sensitive” position as defined by Act 593 of 2017. An essential function of this position is the ability to work in a constant state of alertness and in a safe manner.
• This position works Monday/Friday, 8 AM – 4:30 PM with paid holidays off, dependent upon the workload. Some evenings and weekends will be required due to call out rotation. 

• Bilingual pay once proficiency has been established.
• Group health, dental and life insurance is paid by the County for the employee’s coverage provided the employee obtains a wellness check within designated time frame. 
• For employee retirement, the County contributes 15.32% per pay period of the employee’s gross towards the employee’s retirement through the Arkansas Public Employees’ Retirement System.

SALINE COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER