Probation Officer I/II

Probation Officer I/II

A Probation Officer I/II provides pre-trial, supervision and case management services that enhance public safety and facilitate behavior change with clients.

DESIRABLE EXPERIENCE :

• Trained in evidence-based practices in the field of corrections
• Paid experience working for a probation department (non-institutional setting) in a county, state, or federal agency
• Experience facilitating a cognitive skills education program
• Skilled in culturally sensitive communication with identified minority populations
• Fluent in more than one language
• Internship or volunteer experience in Washington County Community Corrections

SELECTION TECHNIQUE : Your training and experience will be rated based on the required application material submitted and the top scoring candidates will be forwarded to the hiring department for further consideration.

HOURS / DAYS : 40 hours per week. May include day, evening and weekend hours. Work schedules (hours and days) and location are subject to change based upon department needs.

ANTICIPATED HIRING RANGE: $33.93 - $40.12 per hour (May be hired at the Probation Officer II level depending on qualifications)

Washington County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Washington County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

Job Summary

The Probation Officer I works directly with offenders through the entire probationary period to create and implement offender case plans under guidance of supervisor.

Employment Criteria

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: This entry-level position requires a Bachelor's Degree in criminal justice, sociology, psychology, social work, or related field CORE COMPETENCIES, JOB SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED FOR SUCCESSFUL JOB PERFORMANCE

Core Competencies outline essential business and professional traits necessary to perform this job. • Promote a diverse, culturally competent, and respectful workplace • Demonstrates knowledge of probation, the court and community corrections; • Demonstrates knowledge of the principles, techniques, and practices of criminal justice; • Demonstrates knowledge of community corrections administration methods and practices; • Demonstrates knowledge of federal and state criminal laws and a broad understanding of the objectives and functions of the community corrections system; • Demonstrates knowledge of the justice system and economics; • Demonstrates considerable knowledge of court procedures; • Demonstrates interviewing skills; • Ability to investigative materials effectively; • Demonstrates skill in conceptualizing client needs and translating them into specific case planning goals; • Demonstrates understanding of family systems; and • Demonstrates understanding in the differences in individual and group behavior.

Duties & Responsibilities

Create offender case plans: • Interview convicted offenders; • Assess individual, victim and community risk levels; • Establish and monitor offender goals; • Determine appropriate programs; • Collaborate with law enforcement, mental and chemical health providers, schools, victims, families, and community agencies; • Prepare reports and recommendations for supervisor review; • Assess impact of offense on victims; and • Attend court hearings and testify as required.

Implement offender case plans: • Monitor offender compliance with probation and supervised release terms; • Maintain contact through regular field visits at home, office, school, correctional/residential facilities, and employment sites; • Intervene with offenders using basic evidence based practices principles that include motivational interviewing; • Co-facilitate group interventions for offenders; • Work with community resources to support offenders' successful program completion; • Maintain contact with victims to restore financial losses and address safety concerns; and • Complete accurate and timely case management documentation.

Transport offenders as required.

Perform other duties as assigned. WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is sedentary in nature and may be performed at the Government Center, satellite offices, offenders' homes, schools, correctional/residential facilities, courtrooms, and employment sites and may include hostile and unsanitary conditions. Lifting requirement of up to 25 pounds on an occasional basis. Equipment used may include, but is not limited to: computer, calculator, telephone, and copier/scanner/fax machine. Work interruptions are frequent. There is some pressure associated with dealing with individuals who may be emotionally charged and with project or activity deadlines and details. Work includes contact with high-risk offenders who may be mentally ill or chemically dependent, making field visits and appearing in court. Exposures may include: communicable diseases, weapons, bodily fluids such or animals that bite.

Additional physical/mental requirements that may occur, may not be listed above, but are inherent performing the position's essential functions. Must have own means of reliable transportation for business purposes. Individuals operating a motor vehicle for County business must possess a valid driver's license.

This job description is intended to describe the kinds of tasks and the level of work difficulty being performed by people assigned to this classification. The list of responsibilities is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required by personnel so classified. The County retains the discretion to add or change the contents of this job description at any time.