From main offices in Dallas, Fort Worth and Arlington, the Dallas County Juvenile Department oversees nine field probation satellite offices in different areas of the county. The mission of the Dallas County Juvenile Department is to “assist referred youth in becoming productive, law-abiding citizens, while protecting public safety and victim restitution.”
Juvenile probation officer jobs in Dallas County pay an annual salary of between $34,382 and $52,132. The median wage is $41,267/year.
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Responsibilities of Juvenile Probation Officers in Dallas County
Juvenile probation officer jobs in Dallas involve working with juveniles and their families from their first referral for delinquent behavior to their final exit from the judicial system. Probation Services are responsible for youthful offenders both before and after their initial court appearances. They evaluate the needs of youths and their families; make recommendations to the court; and follow the offender to ensure that all court-mandated conditions are complied with.
Requirements for Becoming a Juvenile Probation Officer in Dallas County
Minimum requirements for becoming a juvenile probation officer in Dallas County are:
- At least 21 years old
- Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, criminology, psychology, social work, juvenile corrections, sociology or a related field.
- Valid driver’s license
- Some work experience related to counseling youths
Applications are only accepted online and only for open positions. A list of current vacancies and application forms can be found at the Dallas County Human Resources website. Paper applications and/or resumes will not be accepted. The hiring manager will contact persons being considered.
Dallas County Juvenile Department Units
Probation officers in Dallas County work in all of the following department units:
- Community Service Restitution. Responsible for ensuring that offenders fulfill court-mandated community service hours; developing new sites for community service projects; and coordinating community service work crews.
- Court Assessment. Assesses the strengths, weaknesses and needs of offenders and their families in order to make recommendations to the court.
- Court Liaison. Serves as liaison between the courts and the probation department.
- Deferred Prosecution. Works with low-risk, first-time offenders to develop a plan of action that allows them to avoid court action. May involve such things as counseling, restitution to the victim (petty burglary), etc.
- Field Probation. Direct supervision of offenders who are either at home awaiting court dates or on post-sentencing probation.
- Home Detention. Strict supervision of either offenders awaiting a court date who would normally be detained or probationers who failed to comply with their probation conditions.
- Intake Screening. Evaluates the situations at the time of arrests and recommends either detention or release to parents until their hearings.
- Placement Services. Assesses treatment needs and “matches” offenders with available services.
- Special Needs/Sex Offenders. Closely monitors both mentally impaired offenders and those with sexually compulsive behaviors, getting them the appropriate mental health services or sex offender therapies.
- Victim Services. Determines the impact of offender’s crime on the victim (if any). Provides emotional support to victims and refers them to any needed services.