TJJD - Investigator II - Hearing Specialist - (GNS) - 40577

Job Description

The Texas Juvenile Justice Department seeks motivated candidates to conduct investigative work and serve in roles similar to "judge and prosecutor" in youths' due process hearings. Hearing Specialists investigate alleged incidents by interviewing witnesses, reviewing video, reading witness statements, and collecting other available evidence. Hearing Specialists also serve as the decision-maker or "judge" by evaluating evidence and making determinations about the allegations. Candidates with strong problem-solving skills, empathy, and proactive energy are well-suited for this interesting and significant role with TJJD.

HOW TO APPLY

Complete a State of Texas Application for Employment and the following additional forms (available ):

1. TJJD Employment Application Supplement (HR-003)
2. Child Abuse Registry Check Consent Form (HR-028)
3. Disclosure of PREA Employment Standards Violation (HR-975)
4. Authorization to Release Information (HR-074)

Failure to complete and submit the above forms will cause delays in your consideration for this position.

Apply Online at &tz=GMT-05:00 and attach to the application the above additional forms along with copies of high school/college diploma(s), copy of official college transcripts, any licenses/certifications, and, if a military veteran, any Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214).

Apply through Work-In-Texas at You will also need to complete and attach to the application the supplemental questions/forms indicated above along with a copies of high school/college diploma(s), copy of official college transcripts, any licenses/certifications, and, if a military veteran, any Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214). The additional forms are available at: ).

PLEASE NOTE

Your job application must be completely filled out and include all employment, do not limit employment to the past 10-15 years. Your application must contain complete job histories, which include job titles, name of employer, dates of employment (month & year), supervisor's name and phone number, and a description of duties performed, and whether it was full-time or part-time and hours per week. If any of this information is not provided, your application may be rejected as incomplete. Resumes do not take the place of this required information.

Applicants must be able to pass a Criminal Background Check and any other requirements listed under Minimum Qualifications.

BENEFITS

State of Texas Benefits and Retirement Information can be found at Benefits include: Retirement plan, paid group health & life insurance for employee, paid holidays, paid vacation leave, paid sick leave, longevity pay, educational assistance program, employee assistance program. Optional add-on benefits include: Dental, Vision, Optional Life Insurance, Voluntary AD&D Insurance, Dependent Health & Life insurance, Health & Dependent care flexible spending accounts, etc. Additionally, certain designated positions are eligible for hazardous duty pay, career ladder advancements, and free meals while on duty.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Due Process is the constitutional concept that proceedings must be fair and that a person is entitled to, at a minimum, notice and an opportunity to be heard by a neutral decision maker when the person's liberty or property is at stake.

A Level I Hearing is the highest level of due process administrative hearing conducted by agency staff. The purpose of the hearing is to determine whether to revoke the parole status of a youth as a disciplinary consequence for behavior that presents an unacceptable risk to the safety of persons or property. An incumbent will perform the role of the staff representative. They will be expected to appear at the hearing and present the reasons for the proposed action.

When performing the functions of the staff representative, in consultation with Parole staff, the incumbent will: (1) plan, organize, and conduct routine investigations for the purpose of gathering and presenting the evidence against the youth during the Level I Hearing; (2) provide all required notices within the specified timeframes; (3) provide the youth and the youth's advocate and parents/guardian with hearing notices in accordance with established procedures and the use of standard forms concerning the youth; and (4) present evidence at the hearing, to include questioning witnesses.

A Level II Hearing is the second highest level of due process administrative hearing conducted by agency staff. The purpose of the hearing is to ensure that a youth committed to the agency and alleged to have committed a rule violation is afforded due process regarding the allegation prior to the imposition of disciplinary consequences or other dispositions. An incumbent will perform the following two roles relating to the hearing process at the facility of assignment, but will only perform one of the functions for each due process hearing: (1) the staff representative; and (2) the hearing manager.

When performing the functions of the staff representative, the incumbent will: (1) plan, organize, and conduct routine investigations for the purpose of gathering and presenting the evidence against the youth during the Level II Hearing; (2) determine the most appropriate allegation based on the evidence; (3) request the most appropriate consequence to ensure the requested consequences are (a) the least restrictive disciplinary consequences that are effective in correcting the behavior of the youth while ensuring safety and order; (b) proportionate to the severity and extent of the violation(s) and within the appropriate range of consequences for the alleged offense(s); (3) provide the youth and the youth's advocate and parents/guardians with hearing notices in accordance with established procedures and the use of standard forms; and (4) present evidence at the hearing, to include questioning witnesses.

When performing the functions of the hearing manager, the incumbent will: (1) serve as an impartial fact-finder during the hearing through review of evidence presented during the hearing, such as live testimony from the youth and witnesses, written statements, video, and photographs, etc.; (2) determine if the evidence presented during the hearing proves, based on a preponderance of evidence, that the youth committed the alleged rule violation; (3) determine if the requested dispositions will be imposed; (4) appoint the youth's advocate if the youth does not choose his/her own advocate; and (5) coordinate the hearing process with all parties.

Work involves planning the hearings; implementing the established procedures relating to the hearing process; interacting with hearing participants, including staff witnesses, youth and youth advocates; providing routine consultative services and technical assistance regarding the hearing process to hearing participants based on established procedures and scripts; and assisting in the preparation of reports and statistical information.

Works under moderate supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment outside of the established detailed procedures and standards for Level II Hearings. May be required to work in excess of 40 hours per work week, travel, and be on-call.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Staff Representative Functions:

Provides the youth with proper notice that he is being investigated for a possible hearing and with proper notice of his/her rights.

Reviews incident reports and accompanying witness statements; contacts and interviews witnesses; makes determinations regarding the collection of additional statements from witnesses as evidence or calling the witnesses to testify at the hearing.

Reviews available videos; ensures videos are available for the youth and advocate to review in advance and to present at the hearing.

Determines the most appropriate alleged violations for the hearing and the most appropriate consequences to request for the alleged violation(s).

Collects evidence and verifies information regarding every element of the offense; evaluates findings and determines most appropriate allegation based on the gathered evidence and established guidelines.

Provides the youth, the youth's advocate or attorney, and parents/guardian with proper notice of the hearing date and time, the allegations, the proposed disposition, and all evidence that will be relied upon, including the names of all witnesses and a description of their expected testimony.

Presents evidence during the hearing, including documented evidence of reasons for a delay in the hearing; provides explanations regarding witnesses that should not testify in the presence of the youth; questions the youth and witnesses during the hearing process in accordance with established standards; voices issues regarding evidence presented by the youth's advocate.

Hearing Manager Functions:

Coordinates the hearing process in accordance with established policies and procedures, including providing an explanation of the process and rights to the youth, swearing in of witnesses, questioning of the youth and witnesses, and determining if circumstances warrant an exception to allow witnesses to testify outside the presence of the youth.

Impartially reviews and assesses evidence presented during the hearing, including extenuating circumstances; determines if evidence is credible; requests additional information as necessary.

Determines if the alleged rule violation is proven based on a preponderance of credible evidence.

Appoints youth advocates when necessary; verifies that assigned or requested advocates have received the required training within established time limits prior to appointment.

Communicates with youth, parents/guardians, victims, and youth advocates, in accordance with established guidelines.

Prepares written reports developed in accordance with established procedures identifying the imposed consequences and explaining the preponderance of evidence supporting the determination of imposed consequences.

Functions Applicable to Both Roles:

Consults with staff attorneys to resolve problems, identify training needs, and discuss effectiveness of hearings and imposed consequences; recommends improvements to processes and assists in the development of action plans to improve processes.

Acts as program liaison with agency staff, youth family members and advocates, community and professional groups, and the general public regarding the hearing process.

Serves as a subject matter expert to assist others in the development of policies, procedures, and standards in accordance with program objectives and goals, including quality control measures relating to consistent and effective imposition of consequences.

Assists staff attorneys in the preparation of materials in response to requests for hearing processes and outcomes; and provides guidance in the development and integration of new methods and procedures.

Monitors outcomes for racial, ethnic, and gender disparities and takes action to address identified disparities.

Educates youth on all levels of due process hearings and provide staff with training on the duties and conduct of due process hearings.

Reports any presence or perception of racial, ethnic, and/or gender disparities.

Performs a variety of related duties not listed, to be determined and assigned as needed.

Performs all duties in compliance with agency safety policies and procedures:

• Reports safety hazards and corrects hazards when possible.
• Completes required documentation in the event of an accident/injury within requested time frames.

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency attendance and leave policies.

Qualifications:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree with major course work in criminal justice, social work, behavioral science, education, business, public administration, or a related field. Two (2) years of full-time wage earning experience that may be any combination of the following: experience as an investigator, case manager, social worker, human services specialist, parole officer, paralegal, legal assistant or probation officer; experience in assessing misconduct of youth involved in the juvenile justice system and identifying resolution activities; experience in dispute, complaint, or grievance resolution activities.

OR

High School diploma or equivalent. Seven (7) years of full-time wage earning experience that may be any combination of the following: experience as an investigator, case manager, social worker, human services specialist, parole officer, or probation officer; experience in assessing misconduct of youth involved in the juvenile justice system and identifying resolution activities; experience in dispute, complaint, or grievance resolution activities.

Preferred:

• Experience working with youth committed to a state-operated facility.

Experience and Education Substitutions:

• One year of appropriate experience may be substituted for one year of college (30 course hours) on a year for year basis.

• Completed course hours of undergraduate study may be substituted for up to four years of experience on a basis of 30 course hours for one year of experience.

• Completed course hours of graduate study may be substituted for up to two years of experience on a basis of 12 graduate course hours for one year of experience.

• Completed certification as a paralegal may be substituted for three years of experience.

• Completed certification as a legal assistant may be substituted for two years of experience.

• Experience requirements may be satisfied by the prorated part-time equivalent.

Note: Any degree, diploma, high school equivalent, or course hours required to meet minimum qualifications must be obtained from an accredited educational institution.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

The following physical demands and working conditions are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Analyzing

Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing

Ability to see

Ability to hear (with or without aid)

Heavy lifting, up to 25 lbs.

Heavy carrying, up to 25 lbs.

Pulling

Pushing

Repeated bending

Operate motor equipment

Depth perception

Reaching above shoulder

Manual/finger dexterity

Dual simultaneous grasping

Identify colors

Alphabetizing

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Or ability to acquire knowledge of TJJD policies, procedures, and standards governing the hearing process, procedures, practices, and rules of evidence.

• The Texas juvenile justice system.

• Investigative principles, techniques, and procedures.

Skill in:

• Use of computers, applicable software, and in the use of high level data and informational reports as an administrative tool.

• Organization, managing multiple tasks, setting time-frames, and meeting deadlines.

Ability to:

• Conduct investigations, interviews, and gather facts.

• Interpret and apply policies, procedures, and standards.

• Advise others in the juvenile justice field of relevant policies, procedures, and standards.

• Evaluate findings and prepare reports.

• Testify in hearings.

• Gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze data and devise solutions to problems or make recommendations for improvement.

• Process information logically, make decisions, and to demonstrate the soundness of those decisions.

• Plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments and prioritize workloads.

• Work collaboratively with all stakeholders and maintain a professional, courteous demeanor.

• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

VETERANS

In order to receive veteran's preference, a copy of your DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), VA disability rating (if applicable), or a DD Form 1300 (Report of Casualty) must be attached to your application.

Go to , , or for assistance translating your military experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications/requirements, and skill sets.

Additional Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Code or Crosswalk information is available from the Texas State Auditor's Office at Inspectors and Investigators MOS Codes.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

If you are scheduled for an interview and require any reasonable accommodation in our interview process, please inform the hiring representative who calls you to schedule your interview. Whenever possible, please give the hiring representative sufficient time to consider and respond to your request.

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls. If you submitted your application through the CAPPS Career Center ), you may also check the status of your application by accessing your profile and selecting My Jobpage and selecting My Submissions.

Thank you for considering employment with the Texas Juvenile Justice Department.

AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Texas Juvenile Justice Department does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability in employment or the provision of services.

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