Diversion Specialist

Nature of Work

To provide services for the Juvenile Citation Program involving the placing and supervision of youth in appropriate community service sites, facilitating the educational component and tracking youth beyond program completion.

Work Situation Factors

Position will include after school, evenings and weekend hours. May require occasional extended hours. Requires reliable transportation to report to assigned community service sites. Possible interaction with disruptive juveniles and upset parents. Continued employment is contingent upon grant funding. Regular attendance is an essential function of this job to ensure continuity of services. Position is subject to drug testing in accordance with applicable State and Federal regulations and City of Las Cruces policies.

Environmental Factors

Works 50% inside with no notable adverse environmental factors and 50% outside which involves exposure to all weather elements, and traffic.

Physical Factors

Light physical demands. Requires the ability to lift/carry books and office files weighing up to ten pounds. Ability to effectively communicate verbally with hearing ability to communicate with participants and parents. Ability to observe surroundings and identify volatile safety issues.

Meeting or exceeding the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to participate in the process.

FIRST CONSIDERATION MAY BE GIVEN TO CURRENT CITY OF LAS CRUCES EMPLOYEES WHO MEET THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS.

This posting will be used to fill one (1) full-time, grant funded, non-exempt position, but may be used to fill multiple vacancies to include positions that are grant funded, regular, or contract and may be full-time, part-time, or temporary.

This position is graded GT07.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Coordinate and facilitate the educational component of the program.

• Facilitate youth group discussions using the chosen curriculum and instructs parents and teens on relevant subjects.

• Researches and identifies emerging youth issues and seeks to address those through various means including developing the various curriculums accordingly, developing new components to the program and/or identifying existing community resources and establishing partnerships.

• Acts as a mentor and role model to youth in the program.

• To provide services for the Juvenile Citation Program involving the placing and supervision of youth in appropriate community service sites.

• Communicates regularly with other staff, juvenile probation personnel, community agencies, youth, parents and the general public to facilitate placement and transition of clients.

• Updates files and database including records of all actions taken, active participant demographics, referrals to agencies, and correspondence utilizing a computer.

• Determines appropriate community service sites and coordinates assignment scheduling with youth and site supervisor.

• Establishes and maintains partnerships with outside agencies that provide educational and community service projects.

• Provides monitoring of youth at assigned community service sites to ensure completion of assigned tasks.

• Maintains a strictly professional relationship with program participants and maintains strict client confidentiality at all times.

• Conducts Intake Assessments with eligible participants and their parent(s), tracks statistical data, provides community referrals, and monitors youth to ensure completion of program contract on an as needed basis.

• Track the status of participants beyond successful completion of Citation Program.

• Conducts school visits and makes phone calls to youth who have completed the program.

• Collects data including school grades and attendance to help measure the program success.

• Provides youth and their families with referrals to community resources when necessary

• Interprets statistical data and submits status report to the supervisor. Makes recommendations for the program based on the data.

Minimum Qualifications

Two years college in pursuit of a degree in a social service, education, criminal justice or related field PLUS one year experience working with and supervising at-risk/delinquent youth ages 12-18. One year experience utilizing MS Windows applications required. A combination of education, experience, and training may be applied in accordance with City of Las Cruces policy. Bilingual preferred (English/Spanish).

Licenses/Certification(s)

Valid driver's license. First Aid and CPR certifications must be obtained within six months of hire date. Position requires an acceptable driving record in accordance with City policy.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of: community service programs and agencies.

Skill in: operating a personal computer with installed generic and specialized office productivity software.

Ability to: interact effectively with a diverse cultural community in a courteous and respectful manner; establish and maintain effective and cordial working relationships with fellow employees, program participants, other agencies and the public; communicate effectively orally and in writing; read, write, and perform mathematical calculations at a high school level; complete duties with minimal supervision in accordance with department goals and objectives, adhering to city and state regulations, policies and procedures; be self-motivated, follow instructions and maintain constant alertness.