Youth Probation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

This position is posted until filled. Please submit the following required documents on the State of Montana Careers website:

• Resume - Please include dates of employment and your supervisor's name/phone number for each position.
• Cover Letter
• Three Professional References 

When submitting the required documents, you must check the "relevant document" box to ensure your attachments are uploading correctly to the specific application for this position. Documents not requested will not be considered in the recruitment process. The Judicial Branch is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

An employee new to the Judicial Branch will serve a one-year probationary period. The successful applicant will be subject to a criminal background check, including the Child Protection Services registry. Travel may be required and working hours may include evenings & weekends.

The Montana Judicial Branch offers a variety of opportunities to help you make a difference in your community, and further your career. As a service-oriented employer, we seek employees with a passion for customer service to help us fulfill our mission to provide an independent, accessible, responsive, impartial, and timely forum to resolve disputes; to preserve the rule of law; and to protect the rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitutions of the United States and Montana.

Benefits of working for the Judicial Branch: 

• Work/life balance
• Family friendly policies
• Dedicated and caring colleagues
• Health coverage
• Retirement plans
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and Holidays (combination of up to 38 per year)
• Opportunities and room for professional growth
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness - Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF 

Job Overview:

This is supervisory and administrative youth probation work as the chief probation officer of a medium-sized youth probation program in for the 12th Judicial District Court in Havre, Montana.

Work includes planning, organizing, and supervising youth probation services in a district court. This position exercises formal supervision over a staff of three to five employees including professional youth probation officers and support staff and involves functional areas such as community service, restitution, teaching assistants/tutoring, youth mentoring, or intensive supervision. Although most of the incumbent's time is spent on supervisory and administrative matters, the incumbent will also carry a limited caseload. Work is performed with considerable independent judgment, discretion, and decision making under the general direction of the district court judge, chief judge in a two-judge district. Work is evaluated through meetings and review of reports for: conformity with the provisions of the Youth Court Act; the effective supervision of subordinates; the coordination of probation programs and functional areas; and for conformance to district court policies, Judicial Branch policies and procedures, and guidelines established by the probation officers' association.

Job Duties: 

• Plans, schedules, assigns, directs, coordinates, and evaluates the work of subordinates; assesses the need for additional services in new functional areas and recommends staffing levels; develops policies and procedures for the department; conducts regular staff meetings to keep staff appraised of activities in all program areas.
• Confers with judicial officer(s) or court administrator to identify and assess youth probation needs; develops goals, plans, and measurements to establish, maintain, and improve the quality of services offered to youth in the district.
• Prepares and administers the department's annual budget; prepares grant applications and administers provisions of grants; prepares reports on activities and accomplishments of the department.
• Serves as the department's liaison with the county attorney(s), law enforcement agencies, schools, and public and private social services agencies; serves on committees and boards as assigned; prepares and presents speeches to groups such as school classes, civic groups, the media, and other professional organizations; coordinates youth court services with other private, state, and federal agencies; may serve as chairperson of the Youth Placement Committee.
• Carries a reduced caseload of youth court matters.

Extensive knowledge of the principles, practices, and laws of youth probation and corrections including the Montana Youth Court Act.

Thorough knowledge of Judicial Branch and district court policies and procedures relating to the work.

Thorough knowledge of the principles and practices of youth counseling, crisis intervention, and youth psychology and culture.

Thorough knowledge of child and adolescent development, basic drug testing techniques and results, chain of evidence, chemical dependency, community treatment resources, and dynamics of abuse and neglect.

Considerable knowledge of modern supervisory principles and practices.

Considerable knowledge of budget preparation and administration.

Considerable knowledge of the service programs for youth provided by private and public agencies in the area.

Ability to gather data and prepare accurate reports.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the youth and their families, school personnel, subordinate staff, judicial officer(s), court administrator, private and public human service agencies, professional groups, and the public.

Ability to prepare or review grant applications and administer or direct the administration of grant programs.

Ability to effectively plan, schedule, assign, direct, coordinate, and evaluate the work of subordinate staff.

Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

Skill in the operation of a computer with word processing, spreadsheet, or database applications as required by assignments.

Qualifications:

The minimum qualifications are a master's degree in behavioral sciences or bachelor's degree in behavioral sciences and one-year of probation related experience or an unrelated bachelor's degree and three years of probation related experience. Preference will be given to applicants with at least three years of staff supervision experience and/or the completion of a career development/management development program.

Licensures and Certifications: 

Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Montana driver's license; proof of insurance if using a personal vehicle on State business.