Hays County Job Description Job Code: TBD Prepared by: Human Resource Grade: 110 Date Prepared: February 2014 FLSA: Non-Exempt Caseworker Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, include the responsibilities, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics listed below. This list of responsibilities is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Summary: Under the direct supervision of a Hays County Justice of the Peace, coordinates case management activities in performing social services work to include obtaining information, analyzing juvenile client s needs, planning and implementing service plans, counseling clients, maintaining communication with client s families and service providers for medical, social, financial, educational, housing, and/or related service needs. Supervises and monitors all aspects of client s case related to school visits, court sanctions and home visits including the family members and other significant contacts. Responsibilities Supervises clients and determines the needs of the client to improve the knowledge and skills for a healthy environment both at home and school. Assumes management for services and activities of juvenile cases after court trial. Assures client s understanding of the obligations with respect to conditions of the court order and assists in developing supervision plans and monitors compliance with the terms and conditions of sanctions. Prepares written assessments and recommendations to the court concerning counseling, treatment, release, sentencing and completion of counseling and court ordered programs. Reviews documentation, such as police reports, court transcripts, and criminal records and makes assessments regarding the nature of the individual s environmental, financial, or domestic difficulties as they apply to the case. Meets with the client immediately after trial or within days of the trial to advise and implement court orders. Keeps the Juvenile Probation Department informed of cases filed on repeat offenders. Documents and maintains case records in compliance with applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures and provides accurate and timely reports.
Assists with implementation of HB 2398 including but not limited to serving on the county truancy committee and participating in the development of the county uniform truancy policy. Communicates with the all truancy officers/school Resource Officers in schools located in Hays County to intervene with possible repeat offender situations. Attends all Failure to Attend dockets and other related criminal court cases. Responds to and resolves difficult or sensitive citizen inquiries or complaints. Attends meetings, training and seminars to stay current on case management and juvenile guidance practices. Performs other duties as assigned. Knowledge Required Professional knowledge of policies, practices, procedures and legal terminology related to the juvenile justice system. Professional knowledge of Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws rules, regulations, guidelines and applicable juvenile justice system standards and procedures. Professional knowledge of psychological concepts of good behavior, social adjustment and emotional stability. Professional knowledge of standard counseling techniques. General knowledge of computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages. Exceptional knowledge of safety and security techniques and standards. Required Skill Professional skill in monitoring and responding to client behavior. Exceptional skill in problem-solving and decision-making. Exceptional skill in interviewing clients and family members. Exceptional skill to communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing. Exceptional skill to gather, analyze and evaluate facts and to conduct investigations and report results clearly, accurately and impartially. Professional skill in working efficiently both independently and as part of a team. Exceptional skill to reason and make judgments and decisions. Professional skill to deal effectively with mentally disturbed, hostile and aggressive individuals. Exceptional skill to perform in a stressful environment while maintaining a professional manner. Exceptional skill to manage time well, perform multiple tasks and organize diverse activities. Exceptional skill to establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, representatives of outside agencies, other County employees and officials, representatives of the juvenile justice system and the general public.
Education, Experience and Training: Bachelor s degree from an accredited college or university in a legal, behavioral or social sciences field, or in a job related field of study. Each additional year of experience may substitute for one year of the required education on a year for year basis. One (1) year of case management, counseling, juvenile service work or closely related experience. Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements: Ability to travel to various work site locations. Must possess a valid Texas Driver s License. Supervision Employment and performance of this position is supervised by the Justice of the Peace Judge. The incumbent is responsible for carrying out recurring assignments independently or with input from other Justice of the Peace Courts. Guidelines The Caseworker uses judgment in interpreting and adaption guidelines such as Hays County policies, state and federal regulations, established precedents, and work directions. This employee uses these guidelines for application to specific cases and problems. This employee must have a strong work ethic. The Caseworker must follow directions, meet deadlines, have good attendance, be punctual, keep promises, be reliable, and have a proper attitude. Emotional Demands This position must handle a stress level of dealing with what may occasionally be some argumentative, emotional, or mentally challenged individuals or persons in crisis, and must have the ability to remain calm and professional. The position meets with contacts both within a structured setting at Hays County facilities and at various outside agencies and locations, including public locations or private residences. In general, most contacts are generally cooperative, but this position may have to persuade, influence, motivate, or control situations where individuals may be fearful, skeptical, or uncooperative. Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to: Use his/her hands to manipulate, handle, or feel.
Reach with hands and arms. Talk and hear. Sit for long periods of time. Occasionally stand, walk, kneel or stoop. Occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in a normal office setting and will routinely be exposed to a secure environment in a court room or jail. Crowded conditions may exist. The employee has frequent contact with co-workers, students, teachers, collaborating agencies, attorneys, courts, and the general public related to the work with their unit, division or outside agency. The employee will also occasionally be exposed to health or physical hazards, such as agitated, violent, or contagious individuals. The employee will travel to various work sites locations. Acknowledgement I agree that I am able to satisfactorily perform the essential duties listed above with or without an accommodation. I understand the satisfactory performance of the essential duties in this job description is a condition of my employment. I agree to follow the instructions of my supervisor within the constraints of the law and will perform additional duties to the best of my ability when instructed to do so. I acknowledge the receipt of the current Hays County Personnel Policy Manual, which outlines my privileges and obligations as an employee. I acknowledge that the provisions of the Personnel Policy are terms and conditions of my employment and I agree to abide by them. I accept responsibility for reading and familiarizing myself with the information in the manual. It is understood that any changes to this policy will be communicated to me in writing. I agree to return the manual to my supervisor if I leave the employment of Hays County. I further understand that my employment is terminable at will so that both Hays County and its employees remain free to choose to end the employment relationship at any time for any reason or no reason. I fully understand that I may be granted compensation time in lieu of payment of overtime to the extent provided by law. I also understand that my supervisor can instruct me to take compensation time. Employee Signature Date
List any and all accommodations that are needed to satisfactorily perform the essential functions of this position: