Assessment Specialist I (Probation Counselor I)

In the Intake Services Division under the supervision of the Unit Director, Assessment Services, this position assesses diversion-eligible youth who have been brought to the attention of Juvenile Intake on a complaint alleging delinquent behavior. These youth are typically first-time offenders with non-violent or misdemeanor offenses.

Utilizes the Youth Assessment Screening Instrument (YASI) and other evidence-based tools with a high degree of accuracy to identify areas of risk and need that contributed to the offense behavior. Communicates with other agencies and service providers to obtain collateral sources of information. Meets with the youth and parent(s)/guardian(s) to complete the YASI prescreen assessment. Enters related notes for each domain in the YASI application and summary report. Facilitates case staffing with intake officers to assist with determining diversion requirements for each youth referred.

Requires travel to various locations throughout the county to minimize the impact on clients. Serves as a back-up to other staff on the unit when available and as needed, completing the following tasks: visiting youth in JDC and Shelter Care, participating in court hearings, meeting with families who were court ordered to comply with the pre-dispositional assessment process to explain the process and sign releases, completing assessments and reports, as well as other duties as assigned by the Unit Director of Assessment Services.

Schedule: May include days, evenings, and weekends.

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position description.)

Counseling and Treatment Services

Formulates treatment or rehabilitation plans and presents written or oral recommendations for adjustment of behavior;

Facilitates placement, supervises and monitors community service requirements, schedules payments, collects court costs and restitution, monitors urine tests;

Supervises child visitations and exchanges involving estranged parents according to court orders or other relevant agreements;

Conducts intake interviews and supervises offenders/defendants through office and home visits to verify compliance with court orders;
Interviews juvenile or adult offenders, their families and related persons to determine the nature of the adjustment difficulty (e.g., whether it is environmental, school, and/or social);

Conducts field investigations;

Refers offenders/defendants to other agencies or facilities as needed and maintains liaison with service providers to coordinate evaluations;
Testifies in court and provides required written reports on adjustment and compliance to courts;
Assesses short term goals, counsels offenders and provides opportunities for positive change;

Provides crisis intervention services;

Documents and composes case records, petitions and correspondence and periodically compiles related statistics;

Aids clients in obtaining employment;

Cooperates with representatives from State and local social service and law enforcement agencies in cases of mutual interest;

Residential Services

Positions located in a residential facility supervise and direct house routines and therapeutic programs;

Ensures that residents maintain behavioral norms;

Maintains communication with a resident's probation counselor, school representative, employer, family, and significant others;

Coordinates and implements a residential program area (e.g., recreational, educational, or employment activities);

Coordinates and transports detainees between the courts, the residential detention facility or other various facilities;

Alcohol Safety Action Program Services

Provides course instruction using Commission on Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program (VASAP) education curriculum Conduct intake assessments on new clients and make appropriate referrals.

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)

Knowledge of the principles of psychology and sociology;

Knowledge of current social and economic conditions;

Ability to use technology to enter and retrieve information;

Ability to interpret laws, rules, and regulations related to probation work;

Ability to interview and counsel clients;

Ability to prepare complete case records and reports;

Ability to develop effective working relationships with a variety of individuals.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following: (Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in social/behavioral sciences, law enforcement, or education.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
Valid driver's license is required at the time of application.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to the position will be required to complete the following to the satisfaction of the employer:

• Criminal Background Investigation
• Child Protective Services Registry Check
• Driving Record Check

• Experience in the use of evidence-based tools to assess needs of clients and their families.
• Experience in interviewing families and collecting collateral information in order to identify areas of risk and need.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills, and the ability to work with a diverse clientele of different ethnicities and socio-economic statuses.
• Ability to work and make decisions independently with minimal supervision.
• Experience with cross-agency collaboration and working with other service providers.
• Knowledge of local community-based resources for youth and families.
• Knowledge of the Code of Virginia, Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) standards, and local court service unit policy and procedures.
• Fully proficient in the use of DJJ's Balance Approach Data Gathering Environment (BADGE), and Youth Assessment Screening Instrument (YASI) computer programs.
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office, Word and Outlook.

• Ability to access clients' homes and other locations (i.e. community buildings) as necessary to conduct assessment interviews.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle.
• Ability to read data on a computer monitor and operate keyboard-driven equipment.
• All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others.) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov. EEO/AA/TTY.

#LI-AL1

Requisition 26-00822