Pretrial Services JAC Screener (Official Job Title: Caseworker II or III): This is highly responsible, professional work in assessment, screening and release of juvenile offenders for the Sarasota County Government Juvenile Assessment Center (JAC) and Pretrial Services Program, located within the jail. Serves as primary JAC screener on shift in processing juveniles, assists JAC Compliance Coordinator with stats and assists with training staff when necessary. Provides back-up coverage to Pretrial Services Intake Unit, as JAC-related responsibilities permit.

Note:    Responsibility/Level of Position will be determined based on qualifications/ competencies of selected candidate.

Subject to Passing CJIS Background Check:  This position is subject to passing a pre-employment FBI Criminal Justice Information Systems background check and security clearance.

Subject to Passing Substance Screening:   This position is subject to passing a pre-employment substance screening.  An applicant who fails to pass a required drug screening test shall be disqualified from employment in any class for a period of five years.

Duties:

Juvenile Assessment Center (JAC) Duties:

• Acts as the primary JAC screener on shift
• Conducts interviews and provides detention screening services to arrested youth to determine whether youth meets criteria for release, supervised release or secure detention
• Ensures each youth receives medical and mental health clearance prior to admission to the JAC
• Assesses suicide risk, completes mental health and substance abuse screenings and makes State Attorney recommendations for youth admitted to the JAC
• Communicates with youth’s guardians, Department of Juvenile Justice personnel, Sarasota Sheriff’s Office, etc., to ensure efficient and effective processing of youth
• Installs Electronic Monitoring equipment on juvenile offenders based on assessment score or court order
• Maintains accurate records for the JAC
• Provides information regarding juvenile citation eligibility and other JAC questions as needed to community stakeholders
• Ensures all forms are printed and placed in appropriate bins
• Maintains organization and cleanliness within JAC
• Maintains JAC certification by attending and completing required trainings

Actively involved in training of JAC certified Intake caseworker IIs and IIIs:

• Works alongside newly trained JAC certified Intake caseworkers, who shadow JAC responsibilities; responds to work related questions
• Monitors work for accuracy
• Updates JAC Compliance Coordinator and Intake Senior with regard to performance of Intake caseworkers in the JAC

Assists in JAC compliance:

• Assists supervisor with maintaining JAC records and ensuring compliance with Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) and Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) requirements
• Assists supervisor with monthly, quarterly and annual statistical reporting
• Assists with and participates in program audits

Intake Duties:

• Prepares local criminal histories from 12^th Judicial Circuit Clerk of Court and jail system programs; prepares Florida and National criminal histories from FDLE/JIS system/CCIS
• Prepares investigation reports for purposes of First Appearances
• Utilizes and keeps updated and trained on all software, such as CE-Pretrial-Automon case management system

Court Attendance:

• Attends Detention hearings or other court sessions to provide information to the Court.

Minimum Qualifications for Both Positions:  A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university with a major in criminal justice, counseling, social or behavioral science or a related field. Progressively responsible related experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required college degree. Must obtain certification by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) as a Florida Crime Information Center/National Crime Information Center (FCIC/NCIC) operator within one (1) month of appointment (CJIS Certification).

Additional Minimum Qualifications (in addition to the above):

Tier II:   Must obtain Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) certification to screen arrested youth within 180 days of appointment.

Tier III:    Must possess one-year experience as a Pretrial Services Caseworker or related criminal justice experience. Must possess Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) certification.

Note:  Both positions require incumbents to maintain CJIS and DJJ Certifications current throughout employment.

Hiring Range:   The hiring range does not reflect the salary range.  Our hiring range is the minimum to the midpoint.  In some cases, salary is negotiable based on qualifications.

           Tier         Hiring Range

II            $15.58, per hour

III          $17.60, per hour

Job Based Competencies:  Knowledge of courtroom procedures, practices and demeanor. Advanced skills in preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials, using effective writing principles and practices; interviewing, screening, and investigative/fact-gathering techniques; recording behavioral events; and accurate case-record/work-record keeping skills. Ability to maintain effective working relationships with others and foster teamwork; communicate effectively verbally and in writing; ability to interact successfully with individuals from various socio-economic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds in person and over the telephone often when relations may be confrontational and strained. Ability to take effective action and exercise sound judgment in emergency or crisis situations. Ability to uphold high professional standards, reliability, and consistent growth within the local criminal justice system.

Work Schedule:  This position is assigned to a shift between 12:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and shifts will include some weekends. For example, a person may work 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. or 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. Work schedules may vary due to split shifts, rotations, on-call, emergencies, etc.: May be required to work weekends, holidays, shift work for 24/7 operation.

Sarasota County Government is committed to wellness and successful applicants must be tobacco free for twelve months preceding date of application.

Drug Free Work Environment             EOE/AA/ADA