Compensation

Job Description

Why you’ll love it here!

HOPE. COMPASSION. COMMITMENT. The Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) strives to provide Oklahoma youth and families the resources and support they need to reach their full potential. Our mission is to collaborate with youth, families, and community partners to create pathways for success through prevention and treatment for all Oklahoma Youth. Check out why we are passionate about juvenile affairs and believe it is the career for you!!!

Oh yeah, did we mention perks? We know that benefits matter and that is why we offer a competitive benefits package for all eligible employees.

• Generous state paid benefit allowance to help cover insurance premiums.
• A wide choice of insurance plans with no pre-existing condition exclusions or limitations.
• Flexible spending accounts for health care expenses and/or dependent care.
• Retirement Savings Plan with a generous match.
• 15 days of vacation and 15 days of sick leave the first year for full time employees.
• 11 paid holidays a year.
• Student Loan repayment options
• Employee discounts with a variety of companies and venders.
• Longevity Bonus for years of service

'This position is a safety sensitive position as defined by 63 O.S. § 427.8 (K)(1)(i)(2) due to providing direct childcare. Therefore, those applicants testing positive for marijuana will not be hired even when in possession of a valid medical marijuana license.'

Basic Purpose

Positions in this job family serve as liaison between the state or area office of a large agency and field offices which are involved in the delivery of social services, juvenile services or rehabilitation services on a statewide basis.

Typical Functions

Advocate Defender position assigned to Central Oklahoma Juvenile Center (COJC) as a representative of the Advocate General to ensure proper interpretation and uniform application of policies, procedures, rules and regulations of the agency, in such program areas as juvenile’s grievances; abuse, neglect and caretaker misconduct reporting and investigating; juvenile rights, including but not limited to: medical services, rehabilitative services, court-related and community services, and any other Office of Juvenile Affairs resources programs. Advocates on behalf of juveniles placed at COJC, generally and specifically in hearings such as: major rule violations, parole hearings, and treatment team meetings. This position to be required to office and drive to Tecumseh Oklahoma five days a week.

Regularly conducts frequent on-site reviews of local records, files and other documents in order to monitor and review grievance procedures, reporting and investigations of abuse, neglect, caretaker misconduct of children in the custody of OJA, investigate grievances of juveniles which are not resolved at the facility level. Personally, observes work activities of local staff to determine quality and quantity of work performed; analyzes and evaluates both administrative program plans and operations on an on-going basis.

Prepares written reports and recommendations regarding the general status and progress of each local program for which responsible; presents findings about relevant problems or issues to the state office; as directed, conducts studies and investigations of unusual occurrences or special projects within the assigned program area.

Advises local administrators on all policies, procedures, rules and regulations of the agency, conducts local on-site staff meetings and training sessions to provide information about program policies and procedures and to communicate relevant changes, counsels with local officials about needs and problems at the local level.

Level Descriptor

This job family consists of only one level and incumbent employees are responsible for performing all functions related to the position to which assigned.

Education and Experience

Education and Experience required at this level consists of a master’s degree and three years of professional experience in social work, child support, adult protective services, child welfare, early childhood development and education, guidance and counseling, nursing, intellectual disability, probation and parole, public administration, community-based prevention and diversionary youth services programs, juvenile justice, rehabilitation counseling, vocational evaluation or vocational rehabilitation;

or an equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting one year of additional qualifying experience for each year of the required education.

** A Juris Doctorate is preferred **

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of agency policies and procedures; of all state and federal legislation related to assigned agency programs; of sound methods of community organization and planning; and of current social and economic problems. Ability is required to evaluate programs; to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; and to interpret and apply policy material.

Special Requirements

Applicants must be willing and able to perform all job-related travel normally associated with this position, possess a valid Oklahoma driver’s license at time of appointment and be willing to be on-call twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. The Office of Juvenile Affairs has determined that some positions in this job family are safety sensitive as defined by 63 O.S. § 427.8.

Must be able to pass background check, fingerprints.

A trial period of 12 months will be required.

** Please call the Service Desk at 405-521-2444 if you have issues with accessing your Workday account.

**For additional information/questions regarding the job posting, benefits and additional career opportunities, please contact Sheryl Liepins at 405.620.6495 or sheryl.liepins@oja.ok.gov **

Equal Opportunity Employment

The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.

Current active State of Oklahoma employees must apply for open positions internally through the Workday Jobs Hub.

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