SUPERVISING DETENTION ALTERNATIVES OFFICER

Code: 08083 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 direction, supervises the overall functions and day-to-day operations of a detention alternatives program; supervises a team of Detention Alternatives Officers and Senior Detention Alternatives Officers; completes administrative duties to ensure the functions of the program are being completed effectively and efficiently; supervises staff and work activities; performs other related duties as required.

Examples of work

• Supervises the overall functions and day-to-day operations of a detention alternatives program.
• Supervises a team of Detention Alternatives Officers and their work in a detention alternatives program.
• Develops, updates, and implements policies, procedures, and program objectives for a detention alternatives program.
• Collaborates with local stakeholders to establish treatment services for court-involved youth.
• Serves as liaison between Superior Court and family division.
• Attends court hearings for assigned youth.
• Provides recommendations to assigned judge(s) based on assigned youth's dispositions and explains the youth's progression in the program.
• Completes staff payroll, participates and assists in division budget meetings, and provides monthly and/or annual reports to the Division Director, Department Administrator, and/or Board of County Commissioners.
• Provides accurate, informative, detailed reports documenting daily activity or incidents involving assigned youth and related agencies.
• May facilitate and lead a Youth Review Team.
• Attends, chairs, and participates in local meetings, local committees, and sub committees.
• Schedules and conducts interviews with partnering organizations and potential new hire candidates.
• Develops shift schedules for all Detention Alternatives Officers.
• Completes and conducts staff development and counseling sessions for lower level Detention Alternatives Officers.
• Trains new and promoted Detention Alternatives Officers in the detention alternatives program.
• Leads daily and weekly meetings with a team of Detention Alternatives Officers to discuss work schedules, program activities, administrative updates, and programmatic concerns.
• Conducts meetings with assigned youth and their families to discuss progress and participation in the program.
• Submits purchase requisitions for supplies and services for the team and the detention alternatives program.
• Facilitates detention alternatives presentations to the community and organizations.
• Completes program intake at court with all participating youths and their families.
• Reviews all reports written by Detention Alternatives Officers and Senior Detention Alternatives Officers to ensure accuracy and consistency.
• Supervises on-call afterhours for youth/family emergencies and de-escalates crises.
• Handles all 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.
• Schedules and implements 24/7 emergency and crisis support, transportation assistance, and community service assistance for court-involved youth.
• Supervises the expansion of the community service program.
• Ensures the compliance of evidence-based behavior management models including the utilization of the nurtured heart approach.
• Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and is responsible for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees.
• Supervises the preparation and maintenance of 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

Three (3) years 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.
• Knowledge of the theories, practices, and problems pertaining to the custody and care of youthful offenders.
• Knowledge of procedures for preparing affidavits or sworn testimonies.
• Knowledge of factors that impact security and safety in detention alternatives programs.
• Ability to be objective and fair in judging officers and youth when presented facts about circumstances that have occurred.
• Ability to mentor officers and youth by being supportive, using active listening, fostering positive decision making, and being authentically interested.
• Ability to schedule and organize work activities for others.
• Ability to provide testimony in court or other legal forum.
• Ability to interpret and apply laws, rules, and regulations relating to detention alternatives programs, secure detention, and youth shelters.
• Ability to remain calm, use sound judgement, and make sound decisions during highly stressful situations.
• Ability to maintain highly confidential information regarding youth and their families.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative relationships with those involved in the work of the detention alternatives program.
• Ability to prepare clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative planning reports, studies, and surveys containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Ability to supervise assigned staff and plan, organize, and implement projects within the unit.
• 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.