SENIOR DETENTION ALTERNATIVES OFFICER

Code: 08082 Local Competitive

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under the direction of a Supervising Detention Alternatives Officer, or other supervisory officer, provides intensive in-home contact, electronic supervision, and community service guidance to court-involved youth participating in a community based detention alternatives program; assists court-involved youth with completing daily and/or weekly tasks and goals appointed by a judge or other official; may take the lead over a team of Detention Alternatives Officers; may serve as day officer and/or shift leader; performs other related duties as required.

Examples of work

• May take the lead over a team of Detention Alternatives Officers.
• Provides daily face to face contact and daily home supervision with assigned youth.
• Assists with and oversees youth while completing basic life skills such as creating an employment resume, filling out employment applications, and completing household chores.
• Connects youth to local social service agencies according to their individual needs.
• Distributes work assignments among assigned group of Detention Alternatives Officers.
• Ensures that situations with youth and/or their families are addressed appropriately and in their entirety.
• Assumes the responsibilities of day officer in the absence of the Supervising Detention Officer, which may include, preparing shift reports, attending court hearings, and attending meetings as directed.
• Provides advice and emotional support during conflicts.
• Assumes the role of shift leader on a rotating basis and serves as the direct link for all communication between the Detention Alternatives Officers and the Supervising Detention Alternatives Officer.
• Assists in training new employees and provides feedback of their overall performance to the supervisor.
• Acts as a system liaison between the youth, the youths' families, and the court system by attending court hearings, speaking on behalf of the youth and the program in court when necessary, meeting with attorneys, public defenders, prosecutors, and court personnel to help facilitate efficient court processes.
• Facilitates on-call afterhours for assigned youth/family emergencies and de-escalates crises.
• Handles situations involving the police, and collects all pertinent information from police departments and family court to complete risk screening tool admissions.
• Manages alert warnings from monitoring equipment and dispatches jam list officers to handle situations in person.
• Provides mentoring support, 24/7 emergency and crisis support, transportation assistance, and community service assistance for court-involved youth.
• Ensures that youth attend mandated court appearances.
• Participates in the 24/7 jam list rotation.
• Provides daily communication with all agency providers including schools, service providers, and organizations to ensure the youth's needs are being met.
• Leads activities involved in the expansion of the community service program.
• Collaborates with Detention Alternatives Officers to determine if potential organizations meet the specific requirements set forth in the policy and procedures.
• Ensures that assigned youth participate in community service every weekend.
• Meets with youth and family members to schedule assigned youth's upcoming participation community service events.
• Assists in transporting youth to and from community service events.
• Encourages and motivates assigned youth to help build their sense of self-worth and show appreciation for their efforts by using positive reinforcement.
• Connects youth with community resources that meet the youth and his/her families individual needs, assist the youth in developing skills which empower and encourage constructed decision making, and help foster the youth's ability to rebuild healthy relationships with family and peers.
• Monitors GPS electronic equipment to ensure youth are following their individualized case plan and are attending all programs appropriately.
• Performs random daily checks on assigned youth's whereabouts for those who are not monitored electronically.
• Administers random and unannounced drug screening in the field and provides written reports to the court based on the outcome of the drug screen.
• Provides accurate, informative, detailed reports documenting daily activity or incidents involving assigned youth and related agencies.
• Prepares and maintains essential records and files. Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Education

Satisfactory completion of at least sixty (60) semester hour credits at an accredited college or university.

Experience

One (1) year of experience in the direct care and supervision of youth involved in a community centered program.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of mental health issues and substance use issues that occur among youth.
• Knowledge of the rehabilitative model of juvenile justice.
• Ability to take the lead over a group of Detention Alternative Officers.
• Ability to mentor youth by being supportive, using active listening, fostering positive decision making, and showing authentic interest in helping at-risk youth.
• Ability to motivate and inspire youth.
• Ability to adapt to many different situations over short periods of time.
• Ability to remain calm, use sound judgement, and make sound decisions during highly stressful situations.
• Ability to work as a part of a team with coworkers and those involved in the youths' lives.
• Ability to set appropriate, professional boundaries with youth and their families.
• Ability to write clear, comprehensive, and factual reports.
• Ability to appropriately interact and communicate with officials and professionals such as judges, court personnel, law enforcement, school personnel, and social service personnel.
• Ability to motivate and train new employees.
• Ability to issue clear, concise, and correct oral and/or written instructions and assignments.
• Ability to maintain highly confidential information regarding youth and their families.
• Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

Applicants who do not possess the required education may substitute additional experience as indicated below on a year-for-year basis with thirty (30) semester hour credits being equal to one (1) year of experience.

<b>TRAINING:</b>

Appointees must have successfully completed the Basic Course for Juvenile Detention Officers as approved by the New Jersey Police Training Commission.

Successful completion of the Detention Alternatives Officer Apprentice Program will satisfy the requirements above.