Substance Use Disorder Probation Officer

Job Summary

Provides complex to advanced level supervision to clients diagnosed with a substance use disorder and assigned to the substance abuse unit. Enforces conditions of community supervision and monitors all aspects of casework related to the conditions of community supervision and all substance use disorder-related conditions and referrals. Conducts pre and post residential treatment interviews with clients to assist with reentry services, explains conditions of community supervision, and provides referrals to programming and community resources. Facilitates entry into court-ordered residential treatment programs to address substance use disorder needs. Supports client's efforts to address substance use disorders by monitoring adherence to continuum of care programming, conducting regular drug tests, and providing sober support resources. Attends Specialty Courts Dockets in the Travis County Criminal District Courts as required. Works under limited supervision and has considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Paid leave for work anniversaries, birthdays, PPP Week and Health/Wellness Incentives!

Distinguishing Characteristics:

This classification maintains high-level knowledge of substance use disorders, treatment interventions, and recovery community resources. This classification assists in providing supportive reentry services, monitoring a client's progress with substance use disorder treatment interventions, and helps clients complete conditions of community supervision. This classification serves as representation of the CSCD in the Travis County Criminal Courts during interactions with Judges and Attorneys. This classification may require work in secure facilities. This classification requires multiple monthly contacts with clients which may include office visits, home/field visits, and court hearings and frequent drug testing. This classification requires frequent submissions of legal documentation (including but not limited to amended conditions, violation reports, staffing sheets and docket lists) to the District Courts. This classification maintains regular communication and collaborates with treatment providers to fulfill client treatment needs and monitor treatment progress. This classification may require a flexible work schedule to meet the needs of the department.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Conducts interviews with clients entering or exiting residential treatment programs, investigates and examines information related to client's case, and prepares a documentation to facilitate the sentencing process.

• Conducts initial and subsequent interviews with clients, explaining conditions of community supervision as set forth by the courts. Develops supervision plans for clients and completes all required documents on newly probated clients.

• Interprets conditions of community supervision, monitors for compliance with conditions, and takes appropriate action for non-compliance.

• Maintains ongoing accurate level of supervision with all clients.

• Monitors client's progress through regular interviews. Conducts field visits to client's home and other locations pertinent to grant standards.

• Uses motivational interviewing techniques to assist in addressing criminogenic needs and to facilitate change in behavior to reduce recidivism.

• Documents all contacts with clients and all pertinent facts and events occurring in client's life, including issues of compliance and noncompliance. Documents collateral contacts, referrals, correspondence, and all other information pertinent to the progress or regress of the client.

• Assists clients with various referrals, including, but not limited to, counseling/treatment, reentry service, housing, and job referrals.

• Ensures all money owed by client, as set forth in the conditions of community supervision, is collected and properly recorded.

• Prepares legal documents and other reports for judges, attorneys, and the court system, as required.

• Attends Specialty Court Dockets in the Travis County Criminal District Courts, as required.

• Conducts urinalysis or swab tests on clients as required for purposes of substance abuse monitoring.

Minimum Requirements

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice or a directly related field

OR,

Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated competence of Travis County CSCD Policies, Procedures, and resources.

• Understand psychological concepts related to substance use disorders, behavior change, criminal thinking, and mental health.

• Knowledge in Community Reentry Services.

• Knowledge in Community Sober Support Network including support groups and sober living resources.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:

Valid Texas Driver's License.

Applicants responsible for the DPS Fingerprinting Fee

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Policies, practices, procedures and legal terminology related to court system.

• Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations, guidelines and applicable community supervision services standards and procedures.

• Standard practices in area of assignment.

• Evidence Based Practices.

• Casework techniques.

• Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages.

• Business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation.

Skill in:

• Problem-solving and decision-making.

• Interviewing clients.

• Both verbal and written communication.

Ability to:

• Conduct investigations and report results clearly, accurately, and impartially.

• Work efficiently both independently and as part of a team.

• Reason and make judgments and decisions.

• Work effectively and courteously under stressful circumstances.

• Deal effectively with clients with mental disorders and clients who are engaging in aggressive or hostile behavior.

• Manage time well, perform multiple tasks and organize diverse activities.

• Perform in a stressful environment while maintaining a professional manner.

• Research, compile, analyze, interpret and prepare a variety of memorandums or reports.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, representatives of outside agencies, other County employees and officials, attorneys, judges and the general public.

Work Environment & Other Information

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 10-25 pounds, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, balancing, repetitive motion, and squatting to perform the essential functions. Subject to contact with communicable diseases, radiation, hazardous waste, human fecal matter and foul odors. Subject to client and customer contact for extended periods of time.

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.

Work Hours: 8 AM - 5 PM; Monday through Friday.

Location: 4011 McKinney Falls Pkwy., Austin, TX

Department: CSCD Adult Probation

Criminal Background Check, Driving Record, Education, and Employment History Check Required.