Juvenile Probation Officer I - (25142366)
Required documents to submit on the State of Montana Careers website:
* Resume – include dates of employment and supervisor name/phone number for each position.
* Cover Letter
* Three Professional References
To ensure your attachments are uploaded correctly, check the “relevant document” box during submission. Documents not requested will not be considered. The Judicial Branch is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
New employees 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 and 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 Constitution of the United States and Montana.
Benefits
* Work/life balance
* Family friendly policies
* Dedicated and caring colleagues
* Health coverage
* Retirement plans
* Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays (up to 38 days 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
Professional human services and social work involving the direction, supervision, and guidance of juveniles on probation and/or in placement outside the home. Work includes building relationships with juveniles, their families, schools, social services, and law enforcement to preserve family unity and welfare, provide care and protection, reduce juvenile delinquency, ensure restitution to victims, and support the juvenile’s development.
Job Duties
* Evaluate case, police, and arrest reports to determine the validity of criminal charges and refer to the county attorney’s office as appropriate; conduct intake hearings on youth who have violated the law and forward cases for prosecution.
* Make initial assessments of risk level, mental health, and chemical dependency; interview youth, families, victims, school personnel, and service providers to collect information and recommend appropriate placements or treatments.
* Complete accurate reports to the court, including findings, recommendations, and justifications; testify in court.
* Meet regularly with assigned youth to provide counseling, set goals, facilitate education, develop life skills, and ensure compliance with probation conditions; maintain contact with parents and coordinate case plans.
* Gather information, prepare reports, and present to the youth placement committee after formal court adjudication and before disposition and placement.
* Supervise assigned youth on probation, monitoring compliance with conditions such as school, employment, counseling, community service, and restitution.
* Provide crisis intervention services, including referrals and placement facilitation while families resolve problems.
* Serve on internal or community committees to develop policies or recommend programs to the chief probation officer.
* May serve in specialized areas such as a youth drug court or restitution program.
Working Conditions
* The work is performed primarily in an office environment with typical safety precautions. Employees may be exposed to violent or non‑compliant youth, may be on call for evenings and weekends, and may wear latex gloves when obtaining urine samples.
Physical Demands
* Requires sitting for long periods, standing, bending, stooping, reaching, climbing stairs, lifting light to medium objects, operating office equipment, and driving in various weather conditions for work.
Skills
* Knowledge of youth probation work principles and court procedures.
* Knowledge of child and adolescent development and family dynamics.
* Knowledge of community resources available to youth and families.
* Ability to persuade youth and families for positive behavioral change.
* Ability to prepare accurate reports containing findings and recommendations.
* Ability to document contacts and observations accurately.
* Ability to apply the Montana Youth Court Act and Interstate Compact provisions.
* Organizational and time‑management skills.
* Ability to maintain effective relationships with youth, families, school personnel, chief probation officer, and external agencies.
* Maintain confidentiality of information.
* Teamwork and effective communication skills.
* Ability to handle upset, angry, or emotionally charged people and resolve conflicts.
* Computer skills with word processing applications.
Minimum Qualifications
* Bachelor’s degree in behavioral sciences, Human Services, or Criminal Justice.
* One year of experience in law enforcement, criminal justice, youth services, or social services.
* Valid Montana driver’s license and proof of insurance if using a personal vehicle for state business.
Applicant Pool Statement: If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection.
Training Assignment: This agency may use a training assignment. Employees in training assignments may be paid below the base pay established by the agency pay rules.
Salary: $26.86 per hour.
Telework Eligibility: Not Telework Eligible. Benefits Package Eligibility: Health Insurance, Paid Leave & Holidays, Retirement Plan.
Number of Openings: 1; Employee Status: Regular Schedule – Full‑Time; Job Type: Standard; Shift: Day Job; Travel: Yes, 5% of the time; Primary Location: Glasgow; Agency: Judicial Branch.
Posting Date: Oct 8, 2025; Closing Date: Ongoing.
Required Application Materials: Cover Letter, Resume, References.
Contact Name: Mandi Edlin | Contact Email: mandi.edlin@mt.gov | Contact Phone: 406-841-2965
The State of Montana has a decentralized human resources system. Anyone who needs a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the agency's HR staff identified on the job listing or by dialing the Montana Relay at 711. Montana Job Service Offices also offer assistance with submitting an online application.
State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth, or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.
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