TJPC JDO on the Job Training Manual

JUVENILE PROBATION/

DETENTION OFFICER

ON-THE-JOB

TRAINING MANUAL

______County Juvenile Probation Department

This manual is the property of the ______County Juvenile Probation Department. It has been issued to:

NAME

For the purpose of training

______//___

Officer’s Signature Date

DATE OFFICER HIRED: //______

BASIC TRAINING COMPLETED: //______

Date Location

CERTIFICATION EXAM PASSED: //______Date Location

FIELD TRAINING COMPLETED: //______

Date Location

Juvenile Probation/Detention Officer

I. Name of Probation/Detention Officer - /

2. Basic Training Completion

Date:

3. Agency Training

Dates:

Name of Training Officers:
1. ______
2. ______
3. ______
4. ______
5. ______
6. ______
7. ______
8. ______
9. ______
10. ______
11. ______
12. ______
13. ______
14. ______
15. ______
16. ______
17. ______
18. ______
19. ______
20. ______
This OJT Manual is a listing of the basic juvenile probation/detention officer responsibilities, tasks, and procedures. The assigned training officer will use this manual during the orientation and training of the detention officer. The trainer will explain each item and ensure opportunities for the trainee to demonstrate each task or procedure. If the trainer is not available to demonstrate the task, an approved substitute may be provided. When a task has been satisfactorily performed, the trainer will enter the date of the completion and his or her initials in the proper column. This list is not exclusive, and when a task arises that is not on the list, the trainer should demonstrate proper procedure for that task and then record the task at the end of the manual. If some tasks or procedures listed cannot be demonstrated within your department, you may inquire about training from another department for explanation and demonstration.

On-the-Job (OJT) Training Procedures for Juvenile Probation/Detention Officers

1. What is OJT?

OJT is a process by which an individual officer receives formal instruction “on the job” for special and defined purposes specific to job duties. Supervisory staff and their designees will provide the officer with practical application training upon hire and throughout the officer’s employment. As often as practical, the officer will be required to perform the tasks and show an acceptable level of competency.

2. Purpose of OJT

The recognition of specialized officer training is important to the officer and the administration. Formal classroom training and limited demonstration cannot teach the officer all that they need to know. On-the-job training is intended to give the probation/detention officer instruction, direct supervision, guidance and experience so that the officer may develop the skills necessary to perform the job duties in an efficient and effective manner. The training period also serves to aid in determining whether the probation/detention officer meets all requirements to become a certified probation/detention officer.

3. Important Factors in the Juvenile Probation/Detention Officer Training Program

The probation/detention officer may have completed the Juvenile Probation/Detention Officer Basic Training Academy prior to assignment. The classroom instruction areas are as follows: (list training topics included in the academy)

This gives the officer basic knowledge and skills needed to operate in their respective department while participating in OJT. OJT provides the opportunity to apply information received in the classroom instruction and learn policy and procedures specific to their department.

Successful OJT must be conducted in a manner designed to develop a technically skilled and professional officer. Therefore, an effective training program requires the following:

A. Staff designated to provide OJT must be chosen based on their experience, qualifications and education. They must possess effective communication skills and display behavior that is consistent with the TJPC Code of Ethics for juvenile probation/detention officers.

B. Initial training must be provided to all training staff outlining the duties and responsibilities of their position. In-service training on the latest techniques, departmental policies, procedures and practices, and changes in the law pertaining to the supervision of juveniles in the system must be provided.

C. If there are specific training requirements for departmental needs that are not covered in the Juvenile Probation/Detention Officer Basic Training Academy or OJT Program (such as physical restraint techniques, CPR, or First Aid), the agency has the option to contract with an outside consultant to provide the specified training.

4. Responsibility of the Supervisor/Administrator or Department Designee**

The supervisor/administrator is responsible for ensuring that each officer is provided training needed to effectively perform their job duties. The supervisor may provide the training or may assign other qualified officers. The supervisor is responsible for confirming that training has been completed by signing training outlines, thus maintaining awareness of each officer’s training progress.

** A Supervisor/Administrator can appoint a designee on their behalf, such as a Senior Officer or other individual who has the responsibility of supervising the officer in training.

5. Training Officer Responsibility

The trainer will ensure that the trainee is familiar with the operations of the Department.

Using the OJT Manual, the trainer shall:

A. Explain tasks and procedures as outlined in the training manual;

B. Ensure that the trainee has the opportunity to practice such tasks as often as practical;

C. Place initials and date in the proper column of the OJT Manual when the trainee has explained and/or demonstrated the listed tasks. The trainer shall ensure that the trainee places his own initials in the proper column when the trainee satisfactorily performs or practices the listed task. When the trainee initials the performance practice column, the trainer should insert the date or ensure that the trainee does so;

D. Advise Supervisor/Administrator or designee of the trainee’s progress and consult with supervisor/administrator if the trainer has reason to believe that the trainee will not develop into a successful juvenile detention officer.

During the OJT period, the trainer will be observing and evaluating the trainee’s performance. A meaningful evaluation is possible only if the trainer affords the trainee the fullest opportunity to learn. It should be the aim of every trainer to encourage each trainee to become the best juvenile probation/detention officer possible.

6. Description of OJT Manual and Its Use

A. Texas Juvenile Probation/Detention Officer OJT Manual

The “On-The-Job Training Manual” has been developed to assist and formalize the On-The-Job Training Program and contains an extensive listing of duties and procedures. However, this is not an exhaustive list and each department should develop an OJT program that meets the needs of their specific department and their staff.

The trainer should allow sufficient time to explain each listed procedure or scenario. The trainer should explain and demonstrate (if appropriate) the situation or task before requiring the trainee to perform or practice the task if performance is necessary to gain knowledge and skill. Some of the tasks may not require performance as some procedures cannot be performed unless specific circumstances occur. In these cases, only an explanation and verbal understanding is required. When such a situation occurs, the trainer should write “N/A” in the spaces provided for demonstration and practice. If a listed task or procedure does not apply to a particular department, the trainer should write “N/A” in all three spaces.

B. Instructions for Use

A training outline is completed for each topic that will be trained via OJT. The outline will include the training topic, subtopics, and learning objectives within each subtopic. (See example Intake Procedures.) The designated trainer will initial each objective for which they provide training and enter the dates that the objective was explained, demonstrated and/or practiced. If an objective cannot be demonstrated or practiced, the trainer should enter “N/A” on the form for that objective.

Training hours may be tracked per objective or in total for each subtopic as appropriate. In cases where the subtopic can be completed within an uninterrupted period enter the total time. If the topic is completed over a period of days, enter training time for each objective. Total training hours for the topic should be entered when the training is completed. The OJT Manual is to be updated at the end of each day’s training.

The trainee, trainer and supervisor are responsible for signing each training outline when the training is complete and the total training hours for the topic entered on the summary page.

JUVENILE PROBATION/DETENTION OFFICER

OJT MANUAL

I. TOPIC: Personnel Orientation (example topics)

FTO Initials /

Date Explained

Date Demonstrated

Date Practiced

1. Introductions to staff. / /
2. Explanation of mandatory vs discretionary expulsions. / /
3. Explanation of Juvenile Leadership Academy program. / /
4. Overview of on-site counseling services. / /
5. Overview of code of conduct. / /
6. Overview of policy and procedures for site. / /
7. Prohibition of personal phone calls except at designated times / /
8. Calling for assistance and responding to calls for assistance / /
9. Movement of youth throughout the unit and building / /
10. Maintaining a secure facility / /
11. Key control. / /
12. Student Code of Conduct. / /
13. Rules and discipline/disciplinary forms / /
14. Rules and regulations of juveniles and ranges of sanctions of each - encourage positive behavior. / /
15. Violations and Serious Incident Reports. / /
16. Medical Screening / /
17. Education. / /
18. Discipline and Corrective Action. / /
19. Juvenile Leadership Academy Phases / /
20. Student Grooming Policies and Health Standouts. / /
21. Extra Supervised Instruction (E.S.I.) / /
22. Grievance Procedure. / /
23. Student Rights. / /
24. Drill Instructor Responsibilities/Roles. / /
25. Restraints. / /
26. Motivation Day / /
27. Emergency Procedures and Emergency Drills. / /
28. Security and Control-Searches. / /
29. Truancy. / /
Training Hours ______
/ /
______

Field Trainer Signature Date Trainee Signature Date