Probation Officer

POSITION: Probation Officer

DEPARTMENT:   St. Joseph County Adult Probation Department

WORK SCHEDULE: Monday – Friday: 8am to 4:30pm

SALARY: Pursuant to Indiana Probation Officer Salary Schedule

STATUS: Full-time

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

DATES: Remains open until position is filled.

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required. St. Joseph County provides reasonable accommodations to qualified employees and applicants with known disabilities who require accommodation to complete the application process or perform essential functions of the job unless those accommodations would present an undue hardship.

Incumbent serves as Probation Officer of the St. Joseph County Adult Probation Department and is supervised by and reports to the Chief Probation Officer. Incumbent performs duties which are guided by definite objectives using a variety of methods or procedures and require the application of sound judgment based upon education, experience and require the application of sound judgment based upon education, experiences and training. Incumbent prepares Pre-Sentence Investigation Reports, Pre-Trial and any other reports as ordered by the Court. Incumbent will supervise adults placed under the supervision of the St. Joseph County Adult Probation Department in accordance with Court orders and polices/procedures of the St. Joseph County Adult Probation Department. Position is created and funded through a Grant with no assurance that it will be renewed or maintained as a position in the County Budget.

Benefits

Affordable Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans

Paid Time Off (PTO) with generous accruals

Employer Paid Life Insurance coverage

Short-Term and Long-Term Disability (STD/LTD)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for healthcare and dependent care

Gym Membership Discounts to encourage wellness

Employer-Funded PERF (Public Employees' Retirement Fund)

Access to additional voluntary benefits and resources

Responsibilities

• Incumbent will serve as Probation Officer and may be placed in any open division with the probation department. Performs duties of a Probation Officer, including but not limited to: writing pre-sentence investigation and pre-trial reports, completing assessments and sending appropriate referrals, and maintaining / supervising adult probation cases in accordance to Indiana Judicial Standards.
• Documents direct interactions with clients, their treatment providers, and other connected third parties and other case activities, entering information into database and updating individual files for each client as required.
• Assist adult probationers consistent with Court imposed probation conditions, including furnishing and explaining written statements, monitoring probationer’s compliance and assisting probationers in obtaining needed services from the appropriate public/private treatment and welfare agencies.
• Notifies the Prosecutor and Courts when a client violates a condition of their probation entailing clients’ non-compliance and recommends legal actions.
• Testifies in legal proceedings/Court as required.

Qualifications

• Must meet the minimum qualifications as established by the Judicial Conference of Indiana (
• Ability to meet all department hiring and retention requirements, including certification as a Probation Officer and passage of a background check. Ability to obtain 12 continuing education credits per year.
• Ability to attend training for the Indiana Risk Assessment System and pass necessary testing to obtain IRAS certification as specified by the Indiana Judicial Center. Ability to complete all necessary re-certifications as specified by the Indiana Judicial Center.
• Knowledge of human motivation and behavior and ability to apply such knowledge to specific situations and cases. Knowledge of alcohol and drugs, treatment programs and services available to clients from government, social, and private agencies, with ability to make referrals and assist clients with programs as needed.
• Working knowledge of standard policies and practices of a probation department system/alcohol and drug program/problem solving courts, with ability to accurately prepare and complete required legal reports/forms/documents within established guidelines, make recommendations to the Court, maintain complete and accurate files, and apply and adapt procedures as cases demand.

Education/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in Criminal Justice, Sociology, Psychology, Human Services or related field.
• Knowledge of the criminal justice system, including practical knowledge of customary practices and procedures of Court and in supervision of adult offenders

Physical Requirements

• Incumbent performs duties in a standard office environment or in probationers’ homes, including sitting for long periods, sitting/walking at will, close/far vision, lifting/carrying objects usually weighing less than 30 pounds, bending at waist, reaching and handling/grasping objects and hearing sounds/communication. Incumbent may respond to a variety of situations involving potential physical harm to self or others, including being exposed to violent/irate individuals. Incumbent may work near fumes, odors, chemicals, dust and dirt, including exposure to meth labs and/or illegal drugs