ADULT PROBATION OFFICER I

Job Title

Salary: $20.64/hour

Essential Functions Of The Job:

• Enter information into the case management system.
• Conduct interviews with newly assigned offenders to collect personal history, legal background, and relevant social data.
• Locate offenders using available contact information, databases, and coordination with law enforcement or court personnel as needed.
• Administer and interpret validated risk and needs assessment tools to support supervision classification and case management.
• Uses JNET application to verify individuals' state identification numbers, driver's license information, and other necessary data.
• Ensure accuracy and attention to detail when entering offender information and charges into the case management system.
• Obtain offender photographs when needed.
• Clearly communicate rules and special conditions to newly assigned offenders.
• Maintain accurate weekly and monthly reports.
• Monitor and maintain a casebook of any offender assigned to them.
• Assess and evaluate offenders' progress in meeting rehabilitation goals.
• Conduct fieldwork, as necessary and per department policy, to ensure compliance with probationary conditions.
• Perform drug and alcohol testing in accordance with departmental guidelines.
• Conduct searches of offenders, residences, and property, as appropriate and consistent with legal authority and departmental policy.
• Maintain detailed and accurate case files, documenting all actions taken, including monitoring data, compliance reports, and any violations.
• Prepare reports for court hearings and probation officers detailing offenders' progress and violations.
• Provide support and guidance to offenders, including referrals to community resources or treatment programs.
• Perform arrests and transports of adult offenders as necessary.
• Collaborate with probation officers, court personnel, law enforcement, and treatment providers to manage offenders successfully.
• Provide timely and accurate updates on offender status to the court, supervisors, and co-workers.
• Prepare departmental reports as required.
• Initiate and track enforcement actions for violations, including arrests, warnings, and reports to the court.
• Attend court hearings when required and provide testimony regarding offenders' compliance or non-compliance.
• Provide testimony in new criminal cases when necessary.
• Assist in preparing documentation for hearings related to offender progress and violations per department policy.
• Review and comply with all departmental policies and procedures.

Other Duties Of The Job:

• Perform related tasks as necessary.
• Attends staff meetings, staff development opportunities related to probation, and professional seminars and conferences.
• Participates in mandatory training throughout the year; including but not limited to Firearms, Defensive Tactics and Taser.

Supervision Received:

Receives instruction and supervision of daily activities from the Intake Supervisor or their designee.

Supervision Given:

This is a non-supervisory position.

Qualifications: Education/Training/Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in criminal justice, social or behavioral sciences, law enforcement, or a related field; or qualification in accordance with the Exceptional Person Clause.
• Possession of a valid motor vehicle (automobile) operator's license.

Working Conditions:

• Works indoors in adequate workspace temperatures, ventilation and lighting.
• Works with average indoor exposures to noise and stress, but subject to frequent disruptions and stress.
• Works daily with potentially volatile, hostile and/or aggressive clients.
• Normal indoor exposure to dust/dirt.
• Works outdoors in a variety of temperatures and conditions.
• Travels during all seasons and is exposed to outdoor elements, including snow and icy roadways.
• Periodic staff shortages create stress and a potentially unsafe working environment.

Physical/Mental Conditions:

• Must possess the ability to record, convey and present information, explain procedures and follow instructions.
• Must be able to sit for long periods throughout the workday, with intermittent periods of movement necessary to carry out job duties.
• Must be able to cope with the physical, emotional, and mental stress of the position.
• Must be able to pay close attention to details and concentrate on work with frequent interruptions that may occur in the work setting.
• Must be able to move objects of variable weight.
• Must be resourceful in decision-making and problem solving.
• Must be able to react quickly in the event of a disturbance or physical outbreak.
• Must have agility and be able to withstand occasional physical and mental pressures needed to restrain clients.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilites Required:

• Knowledge of principles and practices of modern criminology and penology.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of probation investigation and supervision.
• Knowledge of applicable Rules of Court.
• Knowledge of individual and group behavior, with special emphasis on behavior deviations of persons who have been involved in delinquent or criminal activities.
• Knowledge of local and regional community-based organizations, social-service providers (public and private), and law enforcement agencies.
• Knowledge of "Universal Precautions for Prevention of Bloodborne Pathogens," issued by the Centers for Disease Control.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of social service casework.
• Knowledge of the Dauphin County geography.
• Skill in observing and documenting offender behavior.
• Skill in social service assessment and counseling.
• Skill in mediating among divergent parties and interests.
• Skill in managing a battery of cases in various stages of disposition.
• Skill in dictation and data entry.
• Ability to communicate clearly, orally and in writing, with persons of divergent culture and educational attainment.
• Ability to understand the carry out complex oral and written instructions.
• Ability to work to close detail, inside and afield, with irregular hours and environment.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment within stipulated bounds.
• Ability to exercise authority among disturbed or maladapted persons in an open setting.
• Ability to establish effective work relationships with the Court, Departmental superiors, peers, and support staff, offenders, and their families, friends, and advocates; offenders' victims, and their families, friends, and advocates; social-service, educational, and law enforcement professionals; community-based associations; and other interested persons.
• Ability to maintain firearms certification.
• Ability to complete Control Tactics Training.
• Ability to complete and maintain Act 158 Firearms Certification, stress fire, night shoot, and continuing education training.