TJJD - Juvenile Correctional Officer III/ IV /V - Transportation - (BWD) 42461

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Youth committed to the TJJD are assigned to agency-operated secure facilities and halfway houses and to privately-operated contracted residential settings throughout the state.The Juvenile Correctional Officer (JCO) assigned to youth transportation ensures the safety and security of the youth, facility staff, employees of other entities, and the public when transporting youth who: (1) are being transferred from one facility to another, including transfer from a county-operated facility to a TJJD operated or contracted facility when first committed to TJJD; (2) require medical care provided at The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston; (3) require transportation from or to another state in compliance with the Interstate Compact for Juveniles; or (4) require transfer to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.The JCO plays a vital role in facilitating youth rehabilitation by demonstrating the use of active listening techniques in interactions with youth, assisting youth with problem solving, and providing verbal feedback concerning youth’s conduct during youth movement to case managers and facility staff.

Work involves collaborating with facility administrators, case managers, county juvenile detention officers, and other JCOs to ensure timely, safe, and secure movement across the state.When not performing transportation duties, the JCO is assigned to other duty stations to assist with facility coverage and supervision of daily activities related to juvenile rehabilitation.Works assigned shift, is subject to being on-call, and may be required to work in excess of 40 hours per work week. Extensive travel required.

: This position is in the approved TJJD career ladder for Juvenile Correctional Officers.Personnel in this career ladder have the working title of Juvenile Correctional Officer (JCO) - Transportation. JCOs receive career ladder salary adjustments upon meeting established eligibility criteria per agency policy () until they reach the top level of the ladder.Placement on the career ladder is dependent upon experience and education.Progression to the highest pay level on the career ladder is dependent upon experience and performance.

Levels of Work Performed by Career Ladder Level:

Juvenile Correctional Officer III: Performs moderately complex (journey-level) work under general supervision with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Juvenile Correctional Officer IV - Transportation: Performs complex (journey-level) work under general supervision with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Juvenile Correctional Officer V - Transportation: Performs highly complex (senior-level) work under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Transports youth as directed; assists in planning and coordinating the transportation of youth; transports youth master files, medications and personal items; instructs, explains, and enforces all transportation rules, regulations, procedures, and safety guidelines.

Supervises youth throughout the movement; ensures security and cleanliness of state vehicle(s); and ensures adherence to and compliance with all agency policies and procedures, and state/federal laws for operating a motor vehicle.

Engages in competency-based training in the techniques and capabilities needed to coach youth under the Texas Model of trauma-informed corrections.

Holds youth accountable in ways that fit the level of behavior, seeking to help youth to learn socially acceptable responses and approaches.

Uses good judgment in determining when safety is at risk and higher levels of intervention are required.

Helps youth to identify their responses to stress, fear, and other triggers and works with the youth to learn ways to increase emotional self-regulation skills.

Practices and models appropriate self-regulation skills and is able to remain calm during times of stress and crisis.

Gain a basic knowledge of each youth’s treatment plan and provide support in learning the skills needed to meet those goals.

Coaches youth on how to resolve conflict with other youth and staff as appropriate.

Participates in the Youth Service Team and provides input into each youth’s treatment plan; and is a responsible and supportive team member, who understands that an effective team is composed of reliable people who provide backup and support for their fellow team members and the facility as a whole.

Provides for a predictable schedule for youth that is transparent to them and provides warnings and prompts for all movements and transitions; and exercises independent judgment when the need arises to alter a schedule (while still maintaining transparency and warnings).

Implements and monitors youth activities, programs, and behaviors on an individual and group basis, to ensure healthy youth engagement and to provides appropriate role modeling for all youth.

Observes and keeps staff informed daily of significant behavioral and treatment-related conditions and events known about a youth and/or the group.

Provides services to potentially aggressive/combative youth in a correctional setting with a wide variety of temperaments (volatile, mentally ill, suicidal) and specialized needs (chemically dependent, sexual offenders, emotionally disturbed, etc.).

Physically restrains and secures, if necessary, sometimes aggressive youth and participates in follow up debriefing conversations to assess the relationship and determine alternative strategies to avoid future physical restraints.

Maintains security in buildings, grounds, and other posts; intervenes during emergencies or altercations to prevent escapes and protect the safety of all youth.

Conducts searches for contraband and health/safety hazards; performs room, property pat, and strip searches of youth as required.

Supervises assigned youth during all of their daily activities, including on the dorm, at school, during meals, and other activities; manages all movements between activities; conducts periodic headcounts; ensures youth engage in required activities; and transfers and transports youth, on foot, in vehicles, and other forms of transportation.

Maintains privacy and follows all policies, regulation, and laws in regards to youth records.

Completes and maintains required records, files, and forms in a timely and accurate way.

Ensures that youth are protected from any racial, ethnic, or gender-specific 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

Required:

·Must be 23 years old.

·Must have a current valid Driver License

·Possess a valid Commercial Driver License (CDL) or acquire a CDL within six (6) months of hire.

·Must have a high school diploma or equivalent.

Preferred:

·College degree or coursework.

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

Applicants with the following will not be considered:

·Convicted or received deferred adjudication for any felony.

·Convicted or received deferred adjudication for domestic violence involving a family member (including non-spouse partners).

·Convicted or received deferred adjudication for official oppression.

·Current requirement to register as a sex offender.

·Arrested for a disqualifying offense that was not expunged before the statute of limitations expired.

·Outstanding warrant.

Applicants with other arrests, deferred adjudications, and convictions may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine suitability for employment.

Pre-employment conditions require acceptable results from mandatory:

·pre-employment drug test;

·finger printing, criminal records check, and driving record check;

·Fitness-for-Duty Assessment which may include both physical and behavior evaluations.

Requirements for Continued Employment:

·Obtain and maintain certification in TJJD’s approved use of force techniques.

·Obtain and maintain certification in First Aid and CPR.

·Successfully complete a defensive driving course approved by the Texas Education Agency or driving safety course offered by the State Office of Risk Management within 90 days after employment in the position or have completed such a course within three years prior to employment in the position.

·Failure to maintain required licensure/certification will result in termination of employment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

The following physical demands and working conditions are representative of those encountered when 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) Ability to perform tactile discernment Identifying colors Depth perception Operate motor equipment Heavy lifting, 45 lbs. & over Heavy carrying, 45 lbs. & over Restraining combative youth Pushing Pulling Repeated bending Reaching above shoulder Prolonged standing and walking Walking Standing Sitting Crawling Twisting Kneeling Stooping Manual/finger dexterity Dual simultaneous grasping Climbing stairs Climbing ladders

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

Safety and security procedures and practices. General counseling and guidance techniques with adolescents. Facility rules and regulations. Individual and group behavior. Child development and the role of the family. Causes of juvenile delinquency and current methods of juvenile offender treatment.

Skill in:

And willingness to physically restrain youth in the appropriate manner, maintain order and discipline, and act quickly in emergencies. Maintaining written files and records. Effective verbal and written communications.

Ability to:

Remain calm and regulate one’s own behavior while helping to serve as a role model for youth who are learning to self-regulate their own behavior. Maintain healthy and engaging relationships with youth while maintaining appropriate boundaries important for healthy development. Work with youth in an empathetic and understanding manner with sustained positive interactions. Communicate effectively with youth to foster youth cooperation in the transportation and treatment processes. Plan and implement youth programs. Facilitate group discussions and activities.Set limits on youth behaviors when appropriate in a consistent, firm and fair manner.Intervene and redirect behavior.Appropriately respond to abusive language and behavior in a manner consistent with instructions received in training.Remain alert, observant, and physically able to respond appropriately to work situations or emergencies including, but not limited to, physical restraint of youth.Learn verbal and physical crisis intervention/de-escalation techniques and emergency treatment procedures.Maintain order and discipline.Physically restrain youth when necessary in a manner consistent with instructions received in training.Explain the progress of the youth to their family members and other treatment staff.Interpret rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.Accept and adapt to changes in assignments, methods, policies, etc.Work collaboratively with all stakeholders and maintain a professional, courteous demeanor.Prioritize and manage multiple tasks.Plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments; and meet deadlines.Process information logically, make decisions, and demonstrate the soundness of those decisions.Document observations and incidents and maintain written files and records.Transport youth and travel, as necessary, to include overnight.Work a variety of shifts, weekends, holidays, and be on-call.Work in excess of 40 hours per work week, and travel extensively, when required.

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.

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