Group Leader (Juvenile Services)

About the Department

Under supervision of the Support Services Manager, this position participates in the development and delivery of individualized treatment programs to address the emotional, behavioral, and social needs of court-involved youth. The position facilitates the development of pro-social skills, provides basic case supervision support to Juvenile Court Officers, and provides surveillance, tether monitoring, drug testing, transportation, and other court-ordered services within the community. This role supports court-ordered programming, Day Treatment services, the Juvenile Court’s Family Support Program, and community-based interventions. The position may be assigned to work in the Ottawa County Juvenile Detention Center as operational needs require.

This position operates with both traditional and non-traditional hours and may include days, evenings, weekends, and variable shifts based on program and court needs.

This is a full-time, benefited position working out of the Fillmore Complex & Juvenile Detention Center located at 12110 Fillmore Street, West Olive, MI and the James Street Campus located at 12185 James Street, Holland, MI.  Frequent travel throughout the county, as needed. 

Position Duties

The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Participates in treatment teams to develop and deliver individualized treatment and behavior intervention programs for court-involved youth.
2. Facilitates and co-facilitates group programming, life skills groups, cognitive-behavioral interventions, and court-ordered treatment groups.
3. Provides oversight and support for Day Treatment programming and operations as assigned.
4. Transports youth to and from court-ordered programming, treatment services, school placements, and community-based activities.
5. Provides court hearing transportation and supervision as assigned.
6. Supports the Juvenile Court’s Family Support Program and participates in family engagement and support services.
7. Contacts caseworkers, schools, mental health clinicians, probation officers, and community partners to coordinate services and develop recommendations for community-based supervision and reintegration programming.
8. Coordinates and monitors the Juvenile Court’s surveillance and tether program, including:
   • Enrolling juveniles into the database system
   • Installing and removing tether units
   • Contacts youth face-to-face in the community
   • Communicates any issues or needs with the assigned Juvenile Court Officer
   • Documenting contacts and violations in YouthCenter
   • Cleaning and maintaining equipment
9. Coordinates, plans, and monitors individual and group pro-social activities in the community, including reviewing safety and security policies, researching and purchasing supplies, and scheduling transportation.
10. Evaluates and records daily progress for court-involved youth in YouthCenter, including individual and group participation.
11. Evaluates and reports individual goals and progress toward achieving goals using weekly progress reporting tools.
12. Facilitates and monitors drug testing for court involved youth as necessary.
13. Supports community collaboration efforts with schools, treatment providers, law enforcement, and community partners.
14. May be assigned to work in the Ottawa County Juvenile Detention Center as operational needs require.
15. Performs other related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in human services, criminal justice, psychology, sociology or a related field combined with two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in delivering intervention and/or developmental services to delinquent youth preferred, or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Licenses and Certifications:

1. Must complete the Michigan Judicial Institute Certification Training for Juvenile Court Staff within two years from the date of employment.   
2. Must possess a valid State of Michigan Driver’s License and obtain a Chauffeur’s License within the first two months of employment. 
3. Crisis Prevention/Intervention Training within six months of date of hire.
4. Must successfully complete and obtain certification in basic first aid and CPR training within six months of date of hire.

Other Qualifications

Required Knowledge and Skill:

1. Working knowledge of the theory, principles and applications of child and adolescent development.
2. Good working knowledge of both court and community programs and resources.
3. Good working knowledge of the juvenile justice system; and federal, state and local statutes; and regulations with respect to the involuntary detention of juveniles. 
4. Good working knowledge of the principles and practices of teamwork. Good working knowledge of crisis prevention. 
5. Computer literacy and familiarity with database management and other applications software.
6. Ability to interact with at-risk youth from widely diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds and with varying levels of social and interpersonal communications skills; to gain the respect, confidence and cooperation of youth; to maintain appropriate discipline and structure.
7. Oral and written fluency in Spanish, Thai, Lao or other language commonly spoken by one or more demographic groups represented in the population strongly preferred. 
8. Must be able to provide their own transportation to and from site visits with clients.  
9. Must be able to pass a stringent background investigation.
10. Must be able and available to work flexible hours, evening and weekends, in order to conduct home, school and worksite visits at random hours to monitor clients in the community.

Physical Requirements:

1. Must maintain freedom from tuberculosis, as certified by appropriate medical testing.
2. Must possess sufficient visual acuity, with or without corrective lenses, to visually monitor juveniles in all activities. 
3. Must possess sufficient auditory acuity, with or without audio-logical appliances, to monitor juveniles in all activities. 
4. Must have sufficient mobility, with or without assistive devices, to supervise and observe juveniles participating in activities.
5. Must have sufficient mobility, strength and dexterity to search juvenile’s housing areas for contraband and weapons.
6. Must possess sufficient strength and mobility to subdue and restrain juveniles when necessary.

 
Working Conditions: 
May be exposed to physical violence while attempting to subdue or restrain a juvenile or to exert control during a group disturbance. May be exposed to blood borne pathogens while attempting to subdue or restrain a juvenile.
 
Work is performed in both a normal office environment and in client homes, schools, worksites and other community locations.

Disclaimer: 
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

 

Provides local government services and public safety for residents.