Community Programs Specialist (01019)

The first review of applications will be March 3, 2024. 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.

For a complete job description, please email Katie.Erickson@mt.gov

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

This position is in Helena, MT. Helena exists as a crossroads between past and present, tame and untamed, mountainous wilderness and hometown warmth. A place where you can hike for miles without seeing a soul, stroll through our charming downtown, and enjoy breweries with breathtaking views-all in the same day.

From the early roots of Blackfeet, Salish, Crow and Bannock tribes who found this land abundant with bison and natural resources - to the four lucky prospectors who, in their last efforts, struck gold in 1864 - Helena is a place rich with history, beauty, and life. Learn more by visiting https://www.visitmt.com/

Job Overview:

This is Community Programs development, implementation, evaluation, and coordination work in a youth probation department.

Work includes developing, implementing, coordinating, and overseeing Community Programs for youth offenders and/or community providers.  This job would require someone to run the Restorative Justice Program.  Also, included but are not limited to shoplifting, victim-offender mediation, interagency child information team, court-managed drug treatment, victim services, education and wellness, and community service. Guidelines include administrative and district court rules, program manuals, and provisions of the Montana Youth Court Act dealing with community supervision.  Work requires the exercise of independent judgment and initiative and is evaluated by the supervisor, through discussions and review of reports and work products, for accuracy and completeness of work, adherence to overall program goals, and overall quality of the operation of the programs assigned.

Job Duties:

         Plans, researches, develops, implements, and maintains community based diversionary programs using a restorative justice philosophy; develops and coordinates other resources necessary for the operation of the programs.

         Researches, develops, implements, and facilitates on-going educational and intervention groups for juvenile offenders.

         Recruits, schedules, and trains facilitators and instructors for groups; coordinates meeting space and necessary equipment for each group and/or class; may instruct the class as needed.

         Recruits, selects, trains, coordinates, and directs community volunteers and interns involved in the operation of various diversionary and educational/intervention programs; makes presentations to groups to help expand the programs.

         Develops, implements, and coordinates the Interagency Child Information Team; works with county attorney's office to develop, implement, and maintain interagency agreements.

         Writes program documents such as participant handbooks, program brochures, and training manuals.

         Works with youth probation officers and hearing officers to assure offender participation and compliance with probation requirements.

         Monitors attendance at sessions; maintains databases of information on the program; prepares reports of program accomplishments.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Behaviors):

         Knowledge of restorative justice practices when working with youth.

         Considerable knowledge of the methods used to research, develop, implement, and                   monitor programs such as Community Programs for youth offenders.

         Knowledge of the general principles of youth probation work and related court procedures.

         Knowledge of youth behavior and family dynamics.

         Ability to understand the nature and purpose of Community Programs, research available resources, and prepare documents which will assist the youth probation program achieve its goals and objectives.

         Ability to read, understand, and apply guidelines pertaining to the position including administrative and district court rules, community supervision manuals, and provisions of the Montana Youth Court act dealing with community supervision. 

         Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with a diverse group of people.

         Ability to make effective presentations to groups of people.

         Ability to deal with upset, angry, and emotionally charged people in a calming manner.

         Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the youth and their families, treatment teams, state and local agencies, community program and treatment providers, volunteers, school personnel, supervisor, youth probation staff, judges, and the public.

         Ability to gather information, develop and implement programs and evaluate programs to determine if they are meeting goals and objectives of the assigned program(s).

         Skill in the operation of a personal computer with word processing, spreadsheet, desk-top publishing, or database applications depending on program requirements.

Working Conditions:

The work is performed primarily in an office environment and involves exposure to normal, everyday risks which require normal safety precautions typical of offices.  Employees may be exposed to people who are emotionally distraught.

Physical Demands:

This position requires activities such as sitting for long periods, standing, bending, stooping, reaching, climbing stairs, lifting, moving and carrying light to medium objects, operating office.

Licensure and Certification Requirements:

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

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):

Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in sociology, psychology, social work, criminal justice, or a related field; or possession of an associate degree in the above areas and experience working with youth or youth offenders.