Diversion Specialist (Juvenile Probation Department)

About the company

County of Berks

Government administration · 1,001 to 5,000 employees

What you'll do

• New Hires Hourly Starting Rate -$29.11
• 35 Hours Per Week
• Oversee the Community Youth Aid Panel process through attendance at all assigned panel meetings, which are generally 9-12 evenings per month.
• Schedule for non-panel days would be 8:30 am - 4:30 pm.
• Schedule for panel days would be 1:00 pm – 9:00 pm.
• Contact juveniles and families for entrance into the Summary Diversion Program, helps facilitate appropriate obligations, and oversees completion of the obligations.
• Assist intake officers in transferring appropriate cases to the Community Youth Aid Panel.
• Supervise Community Youth Aid Panel volunteers and assist in maintaining up-to-date clearances.
• Maintain volunteer records in the volunteer case management system.
• Contact victims upon receipt of referral. Resolves restitution claims and collaborates with Victim/Witness Coordinators as needed to determine restitution figures.
• Notify juveniles and families, victims, panelists, and police of scheduled Community Youth Aid Panel meetings and maintain schedule.
• Maintain the volunteer information line.
• Assist in development of Summary Diversion, Community Youth Aid Panel and other prevention or diversion programming deemed appropriate.
• Assist in the recruitment of Community Youth Aid Panel volunteers.
• Assist in interviewing and checking references for potential volunteers.
• Assist in training new volunteers and police officers and providing yearly update trainings to existing volunteers and police liaisons.
• Assist in the planning and implementation of special events, including the Volunteer Recognition Banquet.
• Create and maintain files of all referred juveniles.
• Enter all new cases into PaJCMS.
• Expunge the cases of all juveniles who have successfully completed diversion programming.
• Collaborate with police departments and community-based providers as needed to increase diversion efforts.
• Assist in gathering and submitting yearly program outcomes.
• Attend statewide meetings and other functions as needed.
• While an Associate’s degree may be acceptable, a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice/Social Science is preferred, with at least 18 credits in behavioral and/or social sciences.
• One year of experience in the criminal justice field, with an emphasis on criminal, court, legal practice, or a social service agency.
• Prior customer service experience with an emphasis on heavy contact with both the general public and all levels of professionals, both face-to-face and by telephone
• Any equivalent combination of experience and training that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Valid state-issued driver’s license and the ability to use own vehicle for employment purposes.
• Some working knowledge of the principles, methods, and practices of investigations, supervision, and reporting in probation as well as the benefits of diversion.
• The ability to communicate effectively through oral and written expressions in a clear and concise manner.
• The ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals, agencies, and the public.
• Knowledge of individual and group behavior as it pertains to delinquency, family dynamics, relationships, peer pressure, and drug and alcohol issues.
• The ability to analyze facts and exercise sound judgment when acting in the best interest of the youth, victim, and community.
• Basic skills in the operation of computer software applications.
• The ability and willingness to work several evenings per week as required by the panel schedules.
• Public speaking skills.
• A valid Driver’s License and the ability to use own vehicle for employment purposes.
• Ability to handle stress.
• Physical presence in the office is required.

What you need

• Understand the importance of diversion as it relates to the Juvenile Justice System Enhancement Strategy (JJSES)
• Have a basic understanding of the processes of the Juvenile Probation Office and the work completed by Juvenile Probation Officers

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