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Appendix B: Deschutes County Department of Community Justice Position Description

Position:   Community Justice Officer
Reports To:   Manager, Juvenile Division
Department:   Community Justice

Summary

The community justice officer shall work to restore crime victims, promote safe and secure communities, and supervise and rehabilitate juvenile offenders. Work is performed within the framework of community/balanced and restorative justice, that is, addressing needs of juveniles and their families within the three primary areas of accountability, competency development, and public safety.

Nature and Scope

This is senior-level professional work that requires the application of specialized knowledge in the areas of dynamics of victimization, community organizing and development, and juvenile corrections. Work may be performed in stressful situations, occasionally during odd hours (e.g., evenings and weekends). Incumbents are expected to apply extensive knowledge of Federal, State, and local laws and regulations that apply to situations involving juveniles and their families. Tasks are governed by established policies, procedures, statutes, regulations, and general managerial direction. Incumbents exercise independent judgment when applying policies and procedures in vaguely defined situations. Decisions on search and seizure and detainment may require supervisory approval. Incumbents work under the supervision of the Manager, Juvenile Division. Errors in judgment may have significant impact on behavioral change and the legal aspects of the situation, violation of a juvenile's civil rights, public safety, and community relations. Judgmental errors may also expose the incumbent to potential physical harm from offenders.

Distinguishing Characteristics

The community justice officer is a professional counseling position associated with restoring crime victims, promoting safe and secure communities, and supervising and rehabilitating juvenile offenders. Supervision and rehabilitation of juvenile offenders incorporates community/balanced and restorative justice principles of accountability, competency development, and public safety.

Essential Responsibilities (May Include Any or All of the Following)

Responsibility to Victims

  • Assess needs of victim to assist in determining victim-support services necessary for restoration.

  • Receive and evaluate new referrals and refer appropriate cases to victim-offender mediation.

  • Enforce compliance with and fulfillment of the Victim Offender Mediation Program requirements.

  • Followup contact with victim to determine level of satisfaction with the department of community justice.

  • Assist in holding offenders accountable to victims/community by supervising work teams of juvenile offenders performing restorative community work service.

Responsibility to Community

  • Serve as a role model for youth in the community.

  • Initiate, participate in, and support youth development and prevention activities that prevent crime and delinquency.

  • Lead a work team of juvenile offenders assigned to restorative community work service. Ensure that community service projects are completed by overseeing and monitoring overall productivity and quality of work.

  • Assist in conducting remote tracking of clients and documentation of client files.

  • Prepare reports as required by the supervisor, including performance observations and behavior evaluations. May be required to testify on youth behavior in court proceedings.

  • Provide client data to the Deschutes County Commission on Children and Families to assist in development of early intervention and prevention programs.

  • Provide data to the Deschutes County Commission on Children and Families and participate in the planning process for the commission's comprehensive plan.

  • Establish and maintain contacts with social service agencies and community organizations that may be able to provide assistance and rehabilitation to juvenile offenders.

  • Whenever possible, refer younger siblings of juvenile offenders to community early intervention and prevention resources.

  • Prepare and recommend the disposition of each case within established department priorities (i.e., victim-offender mediation, restorative community work service, and competency development program recommendations). If necessary, present to the court for official action.

  • Propose and initiate restorative community work service projects and sites that enhance a sense of community.

  • Provide advice and training for law enforcement agencies on matters pertaining to juveniles, determination of charges, and the appropriate method of dealing with each case.

  • Perform other related duties as necessary to carry out the objectives of the position.

Responsibility to Offenders

  • Ensure the safe work habits of offenders.

  • Prioritize and organize the daily work schedule for a work team of juvenile offenders.

  • Discipline youth according to established policy.

  • Provide group supervision to youth in work and recreational activities.

  • Transport offenders to work, recreation, or other locations.

  • Conduct indepth assessment interviews with the juvenile and family to determine circumstances of the offense and to obtain information on matters such as financial status, employment history, and prior arrest records. Counsel juveniles on a one-on-one basis. Encourage family members to participate in the offender's rehabilitation and adjustment process. Maintain chronological records of the counseling and supervising sessions.

  • Investigate the facts of each case and conduct personal interviews with juveniles, family members, schools, attorneys, social agencies, and other authorities as needed.

  • Prepare documents and reports of findings for contested juvenile court hearings. Secure judicial time, consult with the district attorney, participate in pretrial conferences with defense attorneys, summon and interview witnesses, and make arrangements for presentation of evidence. Participate in the presentation of these cases as needed.

  • Facilitate participation of juveniles and families (where appropriate) in programs that lead to the development of internal discipline to interrupt criminal behavior patterns (public safety).

  • Facilitate participation of juveniles and families in victim-offender mediation (where appropriate) to ensure the highest level of accountability to victims. Initiate victim-support services if needed. Provide mediation outcome to the court when appropriate. Utilize restorative community work service sites and projects to ensure the highest level of accountability to the community (accountability).

  • Facilitate participation of juveniles in programs that prepare them to become responsible citizens. Programs should address issues of education, job skill development and training, victim empathy, community-service commitment, and the establishment and practice of standards of acceptable behavior within the community (competency development).

  • Refer juveniles to treatment programs, such as foster care, youth care centers, and institutions. Monitor progress of juveniles placed in these programs.

Qualifications

Knowledge and Skills

Position requires thorough understanding of the dynamics of victimization and the ability to communicate empathetically with crime victims. Requires thorough knowledge of community organizing and development. Requires thorough knowledge of delinquent behavior and family problems of juveniles. Working knowledge of the judicial system relating to Oregon's juvenile case law and the special requirements for working with other legal and social services agencies. Well-developed human relations, interviewing, counseling, and writing skills. Working command of the English language sufficient to prepare clear and meaningful reports, document work activities, and communicate effectively with work teams. Must have completed level 1 first aid and CPR training (which is specific to Deschutes County).

Experience and Training

Incumbents typically have a bachelor's degree in social work, sociology, criminology, corrections, or psychology and have 5 to 8 years of progressively responsible experience in delivering counseling services.

Abilities

Requires the ability to perform the various aspects of the job, including the following: ability to communicate effectively; ability to organize community activities that prevent crime and delinquency; ability to facilitate a counseling session and to prepare a disposition report; ability to teach interviewing and counseling skills; ability to work on call, possess a valid driver's license, and transport clients; and ability to render level 1 first aid and CPR.

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OJJDP Report: Guide for Implementing the Balanced and Restorative Justice Model NCJ 167887