Job Title: Juvenile Justice Transition Specialist (JJTS)
| Reports to: | Director, Student Support Programs and Services (SSPS) |
| Job Group: | Professional Technical |
| FLSA: | Exempt |
| Job Code: | 1776 |
| Salary Schedule: | APT01 |
JOB GOAL
Responsible for school placement of students returning from in-county or out-of-county Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) residential and detention programs. Collaborates with District and school-based personnel to ensure at-risk students are placed in an educational atmosphere that promotes students’ academic success in accordance with District policies and local, state, and federal regulations.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Assist students in developing short and long-term learning goals and objectives.
- Provide at-risk students with a variety of educational options.
- Orientate students to instructional programs, including online credit recovery and/or virtual courses.
- Collaborate with Juvenile Probation Officers (JPO) regarding placement of students returning to Pasco County from residential or alternative education programs.
- Facilitate transitional supports, academic coaching, and goal setting to assist students with their post placement decisions.
- Develop and evaluate academic records for student placement purposes, including but not limited to, transcripts, student DJJ records, expulsion and manifestation determination outcomes, to ensure appropriate student placement options.
- Utilize a variety of programs and software applications, as appropriate, to maintain student database.
- Assist students and parents with requests for support and facilitate coordination of services with community agencies.
- Assist families in scheduling appointments for re-entry to their assigned school.
- Maintain relationship with delinquency court to ensure school safety and interagency collaboration.
- Coordinate with mental health service providers and community support programs.
- Assist with the implementation and evaluation of state and federal grants impacting at-risk students and students in DJJ facilities.
- Track and follow up with student transfers using a monthly withdrawal/dropout report.
- Plan and perform Program Quality Assurance reviews and reports.
- Plan and develop district-wide prevention and intervention programs related to district philosophy, goals, objectives, and grants.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
- Knowledge of various placement options: Juvenile Justice, Alternative Education, School Choice, Adult Education, Exceptional Education, Home-based Instruction, and Post-Secondary
- Comprehensive knowledge of local, state, and federal regulations, statutes, and policies involving school placement
- Extensive knowledge working with school records, including but not limited to, transcripts, Individualized Education Program (IEP), transition plans, assessment scores, and grades in progress
- Ability to work collaboratively with others and facilitate groups to consensus
- Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences, orally and in writing, including electronic media
- Operating knowledge of computer programs, including email, word processing, spreadsheets, and databases
- Excellent time management skills and ability to organize, prioritize, manage, and carry out duties efficiently and within established timeframes
- Ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with all stakeholders
EDUCATION, TRAINING & EXPERIENCE
- Master’s degree from an accredited institution in the field of Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, or related field
- Two years’ experience working with students identified as at-risk and school placement
- Two years’ experience working with school records, course transcripts, student transition plans, student assessment scores, and student grades.
OR
- Any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the position
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES & REGISTRATIONS
- Valid and current Florida Educator’s Professional Certificate in the area of School Counselor or School Social Worker
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Candidates for the JJTS position who do not have the required qualifications will have the opportunity to agree to and sign a Condition to Earn with the following requirements:
- Obtain certification in the areas of School Counselor or School Social Worker within the school year in which they are hired.
- Failure to complete this requirement will result in non-reappointment of the employee the following school year.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Doctorate degree from an accredited institution in the field of Psychology, or related field
- Three years’ experience working with at-risk students in K-12 setting
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
Direct supervision of assigned personnel. Responsibilities include planning, assigning, and directing work; addressing complaints and resolving problems; training employees; evaluating performance; and interviewing, testing, hiring, and assignment of personnel.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently. If the use of arm and/or leg controls require exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated as light work.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit, talk, and hear; stand and walk; use hands/fingers to handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms. Specific vision ability required by this job includes close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Indoors and Outdoors: The worker is subject to both environmental conditions. Activities occur inside and outside.
MACHINES, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT
General office equipment, including personal computers, fax machines, copiers, telephones, etc.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT
Salary and benefits shall be paid consistent with the District’s approved compensation plan. Length of the work year and hours of employment shall be established by the District.
Performance of the job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the School Board’s policy on evaluation of personnel.
Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Pasco County Schools will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to allow them to perform the essential functions of the job when such individuals request an accommodation.
