(a) Each county with a population of more than twenty thousand (20,000), according to the 1980 federal census or any subsequent federal census, may establish a full-time youth services officer to assist the court sitting as a juvenile court in relation to cases coming before the court. Counties with a population of twenty thousand (20,000) or less, according to the 1980 federal census or any subsequent federal census, may establish a part-time youth services officer.
(b) The youth services officer shall be paid by the county in which the officer serves and the officer's duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
(1) Intake duties including receiving and examining complaints and allegations of delinquency and unruly behavior for the purpose of conducting a preliminary inquiry;
(2) Counseling;
(3) Record keeping and transmitting information as required by this part or by law to the commission on children and youth or the office of the executive secretary of the Tennessee council of juvenile and family court judges;
(4) Make investigations, reports and recommendations to the judge having juvenile jurisdiction;
(5) Make appropriate referrals to other public or private agencies;
(6) Make predisposition studies and submit reports and recommendations to the court as required; and
(7) Perform other functions as directed by the court or by law including, but not limited to, those set out in § 37-1-105.