JUVENILE PROBATION DEPARTMENT – CHALLENGE – UNIT MANAGER

Minimum Qualifications
Acceptable Experience and Education

Bachelor’s Degree in the area of Criminal Justice, Corrections, Behavioral Science or related field from an accredited college or university and a minimum of three year’s experience in juvenile supervision or case management. Custodial childcare experience preferred. Minimum of one (1) year of supervisory experience preferred.

Or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Bilingual in (English/Spanish) preferred.

Minimum Requirements: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of: basic first aid and personal hygiene; Texas Administrative Code as it pertains to standards governing pre and post adjudication facilities and the Texas Family Code; clinical standards, and the Texas Family Code the PREA and unit specific standard operating procedures; counseling, trauma informed and juvenile justice principles and practices, including casework methods with particular reference to the problems of socially and emotionally maladjusted children; correctional management principles; leadership principles and strategies; English usage, grammar, punctuation and spelling; techniques for effective interpersonal communications; modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment to include Windows and Microsoft based products.
Skill/Ability to: organize work and manage projects efficiently; collaborate effectively with representatives from education, law enforcement, mental health, and social service; have supportive working relationships with co-workers, team members, County employees, juveniles and the general public; possess excellent communication skills both orally and in writing; communicate effectively with peers, employees, the general public and hostile, abusive or irrational juveniles; possess strong interpersonal skills to conduct effective team building, coaching, and professional development; successfully complete strategic and operational planning; proficient in Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook; possess effective decision making; problem solving; conflict resolution skills; develop; organize; motivate; effectively utilize staff; be effective in strategic and operational planning; be capable of incorporating data driven decision making into program management and process management; possess a high degree of maturity coupled with strong interest in young people and an ability to accept and works with all types of children and families; have a strong understanding of leadership principles and strategies; be available to handle any emergency situation as they arise any time day or night; complete the department’s pre-employment requirements; pass a Criminal Background Check.
Each and every county position requires the following professional skills and abilities as key and necessary elements of performance:

• Demonstrate regular and reliable attendance;
• Work well with others and participate fully in a team oriented environment;
• Interface with other employees and customers in a courteous and respectful manner;
• Maintain strict confidentiality;
• Project positive support of their department and all county organizations at all times;
• Maintain and enhance the County’s commitment to customer service excellence.

Certificates and Licenses Required

Must have or obtain by date of hire a personal device capable of using multi-factor authentication to verify one’s identity when accessing the County’s network and systems.

Must have telephone and report residence.

Must meet qualifications and be eligible to be certified as a Juvenile Supervision by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department.

Must be at least 21 years of age.

CPR and First Aid required , must obtain within the six months, and non-violent physical restraint techniques.

Must have or obtain by date of hire a valid driver’s license applicable to job responsibilities, with a driving record acceptable to the County of El Paso.

Proof of automobile liability insurance coverage is required.

Must make home phone number and department cell phone number available to subordinate staff, Unit Manager and the Director.

Physical Demands
While working in the office, the incumbent will sit for long periods of time in front of a computer terminal using a keyboard and mouse, requiring hand and finger dexterity, the ability to see well enough to read documents and computer screens; lifting or carrying up to 30 pounds. In crisis situations it may be necessary for the Facilities Unit Manager-Challenge/Detention to become involved in evacuations of the facility, violent and non-violent physical crisis interventions, restraint techniques, riot control and extractions.
Typical Duties
Essential Duties
Understands, practices and promotes the mission, vision and values of the El Paso County Juvenile Probation Department;

Respects and protects the rights of youth residents, reports immediately any corrupt or unethical behavior, which could affect either the child or the integrity of the facility and reports immediately any allegations of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or misconduct;

Responsible for leading and motivating staff to complete unit objectives. As needed, oversees the Pre-Adjudication staff and operations or vice versa with the Post-Adjudication staff;

Ensures compliance of juvenile supervision officer certification and recertification requirements;

Manages the tactical and operational components of projects and initiatives to ensure that deliverables are produced according to established timelines;

Manages the critical processes needed to maintain TJJD audit compliance;

Monitors and controls the accrual of overtime and compensatory time each pay period to ensure efficiency and effectiveness; assists in the development and monitoring of the unit’s budget;

Manages the daily operational and programmatic components of the Challenge Post Adjudication Program and/or Detention Pre Adjudication facility through the effective supervision of the unit supervisors and essential personnel;

Ensures compliance with the security and integrity of the Detention Pre-Adjudication and/or Challenge Post Adjudication facility, housing units, and the surrounding perimeter, to include proper screening of all individuals entering the facility;

Conducts and/or monitors investigations into employee grievances, and allegations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation to include regular video audits to ensure compliance with standard operating procedures and Chapter 343 Texas Administrative Code standards;

Coordinates court sessions, transportation of juveniles, contact with probation officers and legal representatives, and school activities; testifies in Court hearings, as required;

Participates in interviews for prospective new hires;

Meets with youth residents and parents to address concerns and/or complaints;

Participates in assessing operations to identify gaps in policy and procedures;

Responsible for effectively and efficiently maintaining the proper staff to juvenile ratio in accordance with federal, state and local standards;

Prepares and completes reports and other documentation in accordance with applicable standards, policies and procedures, federal, state and local requirements;

Monitors, makes critical and sound decisions to maintain a safe physical environment for all residents/staff to include emergencies or potentially dangerous situations;

Responsible for becoming certified in Handle with Care (HWC) or any other physical restraint technique adopted by the department;

Manages inventory and supply needs for the Detention/Challenge facility;

Coaches Supervisors and staff, provides mentoring and staff development;

Reviews and makes determinations for staff and client grievances; conducts investigations into staff and client complaints;

Maintains certifications for Handle With Care (HWC), Detention Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), and coordinates with Director and PREA Coordinator to ensure compliance within the Detention facility;

Oversees the processes to conduct effective Juvenile Disciplinary and Grievance Reviews;

Provides guidance, direction, and assignments to Supervisors and staff; oversees performance management and evaluations;

Processes work orders, requests for juvenile medical services;

Organizes supervisor and staff schedules, collects, reviews, and files facility records and data;

Performs administrative duties for the Juvenile Detention/Challenge Facility;

Assists with the development of staff scheduling and rotation system to ensure fairness and efficiency;

Conducts training to enhance staff core, technical, and leadership competencies;

Conducts tactical, operational and strategic meetings to ensure alignment with operational objectives;

Leads staff training and meetings on policies and procedures, care of juveniles, and departmental regulations;

Reviews inventory for staff uniforms and equipment and places orders as needed to maintain appropriate inventory;

Submits purchase orders and budget test data to appropriate personnel; reviews supply requests and responds in accordance with policies;

Substitutes, if assigned, during temporary absences by performing delegated duties sufficient to maintain continuity of normal operations;

Commits self to providing excellent customer service and demonstrate commitment through cooperative team and individual efforts;

Creates a high-quality work culture through participation in and emphasis on training and mentoring to develop leadership, management, and technical skills in self and all employees, including safety related training and skills;

Depending on area assigned:

Challenge Unit
Maintains training, development and oversight of staff through careful and consistent enforcement of the facilities rules and regulations, and positive work habits consistent with trauma informed strategies and positive youth development;

Supervises staff and residents in the participation of program curriculum, including education, basic arts and crafts, indoor/outdoor sports, and general guidance and leadership;

Supervises, instructs, and facilitates youth success in various programs;

Manages the critical processes needed to conduct effective facility or program acceptance, classification, facility or program requirements (phase reviews/ phase assessments) and successful program outcomes;

Monitors youth engagement and participation in activities outside of the Challenge Program with approved community stakeholders;

Participates in the development of, implementation and update of any aspect of the Challenge Program;

Other Important Duties*
Performs such other related duties as may be assigned.

Maintains a safe and healthy workplace environment.

Works both traditional and non-traditional business work hours, including but not limited to; evening shifts, weekends and holidays.

As members of the County of El Paso Emergency Response System, all El Paso County employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers during a proclaimed emergency and may be required to train on emergency response and/or perform certain emergency services at the direction of their supervisor.

Job Summary
Summary of Position

The Facilities Unit Manager Challenge/Detention in collaboration with the Director oversees the daily operations of the Juvenile Challenge/Detention facility; responsible for ensuring the unit’s goals and staff activities are aligned to the mission and vision of the department; manages staff performance, policy management, and program management.

Additional Information
Organizational Relationships

Reports to: Director of Challenge/Detention
Directs: Challenge/Detention Supervisors, Challenge/Detention officers, admin.
Other: Has contact with counselors, probation officers, other employees, supervisors, and juveniles, attorneys, court staff, school staff, vendors.

Work Environment
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

The above is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by this position. The statements are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties required of personnel so classified.