Residential Counselor/Juvenile Probation Officer - Ogle County

Duties for this position include serving Ogle County by providing supervision, support, and service to the youth placed residentially at Focus House; developing individualized case planning, coordination of family services, documentation, and report writing, court testimony, on-call assignments, drug testing, as well as other duties including those mandated by the Illinois Compiled Statutes.

Abilities needed include developing competency in the duties, of a residential counselor/probation officer; gaining a working knowledge of the criminal justice system; demonstrating strong organizational, writing and computer skills; exhibiting skills to work well with a wide array of people including youth and their families, co-workers, social service professionals, court personnel and law enforcement, as well as members of the community.

Qualities being sought are integrity, professionalism, dependability, confidentiality, flexibility, and a willingness to learn new skills.

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university, preferably with major course work in social work, psychology, sociology, criminal justice or related social sciences. Clinical experience and/or a Master's degree is preferred.

Compensation: $43,000 consideration for prior related job experience will be made when possible. Probationary period: Six months

The applicant selected must adhere to the Model Code of Professional Conduct for Illinois Probation Court Services Employees set forth by the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts. Focus House is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Those interested must submit a cover letter and resume to Brenda Mason, Director of Focus House, at bmason@oglecountyil.gov by August 16th, 2023

**In addition, interested applicants must submit a state application for probation and court services employment. This and related instructions can be accessed at the Illinois Courts website:

Employment | Probation/Court Services (illinoiscourts.gov)

December 2018 JOB DESCRIPTION: Residential Counselor/JPO

Pursuant to the provisions of 730 ILCS 110/15, and in keeping with the guidelines of the AOIC, the following requirements apply:

Any person employed by Illinois probation and court services departments shall be:

1. A citizen of the United States.
2. A resident of the State of Illinois within 90 days of the date of employment (the circuit courts may impose more restrictive employment requirement.)
3. Otherwise, generally qualified as provided by law or rule of the court. Circuit court policy may establish more restrictive employment requirements.
4. Have an automobile along with appropriate driver's license, insurance, and a telephone.

Non Supervisory Personnel

Any person employed in a non-management, non-supervisor (e.g., a pretrial, probation or residential/detention officer) shall have:

1. A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, preferably with major course works in social work, psychology, sociology, criminal justice, or related social science. Clinical experience is preferred.

"Non-Supervisory" personnel are defined as a probation or court services officer with no professional staff under his or her administrative direction or control.

This position is under the direct supervision of the Director of Focus House. The Residential Counselor/ Juvenile Probation Officer, depending on the position they are assigned, may be responsible for performing various duties including the following: providing supervision, support, and service to youth placed residentially at Focus House; developing individualized case planning, coordination of family services, documentation and report writing, on-call responsibilities, referrals to appropriate social service agencies, court testimony in court when necessary; conducting mental health assessments and leading individual, family, and group counseling.

The Residential Counselor/JPO works closely with the probation department, Judiciary, State's Attorney's Office, all local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, along with a number of other criminal/juvenile justice personnel and social service treatment programs. Residential Counselors/JPOs will perform additional duties as assigned. This includes being on-call providing intervention or emergency services to their clients outside normal working hours.

Significant Responsibilities: Requires ability to interview, evaluate information, and make reasonable decisions; requires ability to maintain accurate records and files; requires ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; requires ability to understand the unique problems of clients; requires patience and the ability to cope with stressful situations; requires ability to establish and maintain satisfactory/ professional working relationships with staff, clients and their families, the Court, criminal justice personnel and the public.

Illustrative Examples of Work:

1. Provides supervision and support to assigned clients on emotional, mental health, family, school, or other related issues; identifies current and potential problem areas which may necessitate attention and ascertains an appropriate supervision/treatment plan; conducts office interviews of clients; conducts field visits, investigations, crisis prevention and staffing of clients.
2. Interviews clients and/or family members obtaining information about present and any past histories and all other pertinent facts; performs other investigative functions, obtaining and/or attempting to verify information; provides and produces reports and appears at hearings to answer question and provide information.
3. Conducts mental health assessments in conjunction with the Clinical Supervisor; leads individual, family, and group counseling sessions with clients assigned to their case load; coordinates with families as transitional planning is defined.
4. Prepares written reports on clients referred by the Court; provides information to the presiding judge concerning disposition for optimal treatment of clients; collects and evaluates information from a variety of sources.
5. Prepares and maintains appropriate records and files for use and for dispensing to the courts and governmental agencies. These records and files may consist of automated records and hard copy records.
6. Performs other duties as assigned or required.
7. Demonstrates accountability, integrity and maturity in all aspects of the job.