Assistant Probation Officer - JSC Facility

Salary : $58,606.00 - $91,571.00 Annually
Location : Hastings, MN
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 3511.26.001
Department: Community Corrections
Opening Date: 06/11/2026
Closing Date: 6/26/2026 4:30 PM Central


General Description


POSTING TYPE: Open Competitive
DEPARTMENT: Community Corrections
HOURS: Full-time
HIRING RANGE: $58,606- $65,932/annually
FULL SALARY RANGE: $58,606- $91,571Annually (106 Salary Grade)
LOCATION: Juvenile Services Center (Hastings, MN)
UNION: AFSCME 450
CLOSE DATE: 4:30pm on 6/26/2026

THIS RECRUITMENT REQUIRES THE COMPLETION OF SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS WHICH MUST BE RECEIVED WITH THE APPLICATION. RESUMES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR THIS RECRUITMENT.


Community Corrections' Mission Statement: To transform lives, promote equity and increase community safety.


Community Corrections' Diversity and Inclusion Mission Statement: As a system we are committed to dismantling institutional racism and healing historical trauma. We are moving forward as a place where inclusion, respect, acceptance, growth and teaching are expected. We will recognize our individualities. We will listen to every voice, recognize our biases, and grow towards a more equitable and inclusive culture. We will help each other learn by modeling, teaching and listening.


The facility-based Assistant Probation Officer position works within the Dakota County Juvenile Services Center's 24 hour secured juvenile detention facility and is responsible for providing direct supervision to clients for the purpose of ensuring a safe environment, meeting case-plan goals, preparing progress notes and incident reports while working as part of a treatment team.


This position may include days, evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays as scheduled. Day and evening staff work a 4 day on, 2 day off rotation. Overnight staff work a 6 day on, 3 day off rotation.
Currently we have multiple Assistant Probation Officer openings. This list may also be used to fill future Assistant Probation Officer openings for a period of up to one year.

Minimum Qualifications

Must be 21 years of age or older to be consider for this position.


Associate's degree or equivalent of two years post-secondary education in Corrections, Counseling, Criminal Justice, Education, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, or related Human Services field AND one year experience in Corrections, Human Services Treatment Programs, or related experience.
OR
Three years experience in Corrections, Human Services Treatment Programs, or related experience.
OR
Combination of education and experience to equal three or more years.
Required license(s):
• Valid driver's license required
• First Aid/CPR certificate within 6 months of hire. Training is provided.


Preferred qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Corrections, Counseling, Criminal Justice, Education, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, or related Human Services field.


To be eligible for hire, an applicant must successfully complete a background check and meet the criminal history background criteria required to access certain networks/systems necessary to perform the essential functions of this position. The law and/or County policy will disqualify applicants with a particular criminal history background from employment in this position.
Duties & Responsibilities


These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required for all positions.

1. Provide and manage direct services to clients as a group (max of 8 per Assistant Probation Officer). Monitor resident's compliance with facility rules. Assist youth in completing their case plan goals during the day.
2. Facilitate client programming throughout the day/evening including recreation, cognitive groups, meals and schooling. Utilize Evidence Based Practices of cognitive-behavioral groups including Skillstreaming, Truthought, Carey Guides and Decision Points.
3. Employ Motivational Interviewing to de-escalate clients in crisis in a safe manner.
4. Complete daily client notes and monthly reports.
5. Complete on time well-being checks using an electronic device.
6. Respond in a timely and respectful manner to residents/guardians, victims, and Dakota County service's questions as well as concerns.
7. Consistently maintain the safety and security of the JSC to include monitoring and observing clients throughout the day. This includes providing effective interventions and using safety equipment as well as trained control tactic restraints with appropriate use of force.
8. Staff the Control Center to include monitoring all program activities in the JSC, communicating emergencies effectively, controlling movement of all persons in the JSC secure facility, monitoring the alarm systems, answering incoming phone calls, and controlling facility keys.
9. Ready clients for court and assist in the intake process.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 1-9

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities and Work Environment

• Knowledge of general and specific safety and security issues of detainment including appropriate use of force.
• Knowledge of individual and group social behavior.
• Ability to perform basic safety and security skills.
• Knowledge of DHS rules/Correctional Reporting Statues.
• Knowledge of data privacy practices.
• Knowledge and understanding of ethnic diversities.
• Knowledge of victims' rights (i.e. MN Reparations Board).
• Knowledge of Evidence Based Practices in probation including assessment, case planning, and cognitive interventions.
• Knowledge of effective client treatment and change. Skills and ability to demonstrate appropriate empathy, fairness, and a non-confrontational approach with the ability to set and maintain client limits.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member within department policies and procedures.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and written.
• Investigative and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective professional working relationships with clients, coworkers, law enforcement officials, judges and treatment facilities.
• Knowledge of and the ability to operate several complex computer systems such as CJIIN, , CSTS, MNCIS, Microsoft Office.
• Ability to advise people in crisis situations and make appropriate decisions leading to crisis resolution.
• Ability to prioritize work according to client and agency need.
• Knowledge of Integrated Services Delivery and the ability to assess a person's social, economic, educational, mental health, and physical health needs and make necessary referrals.
• Ability to utilize motivational interviewing, group facilitation, and victim empathy skills.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is performed within the juvenile detention center. All positions have a lifting requirement of up to 20 pounds on an occasional basis and 10 pounds on a frequent basis. Some positions have a lifting requirement of up to 50 pounds on an occasional basis and 20 pounds on a frequent basis. Employees may be exposed to hazardous materials such as chemicals, blood and other body fluids and exposure to intense noise may occur. Equipment used may include, but is not limited to, computer, scanner, printer, calculator, telephone, BCA, restraint chair, handcuffs, EHM and GPS equipment, UA collection materials, CSTS, MNCIS, camera and copy machines.


Pursuant to Dakota County Policy and Procedures Manual Section 3240 (13), this position is designated as Safety Sensitive.


SELECTION PROCESS: The examination/selection process for this classification will consist of a rating of your training and experience from the application materials submitted. The top scoring candidates will be forwarded to the hiring department for further consideration.


Dakota County is committed to creating a diverse workforce and welcomes qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, familial status, national origin, genetics, disability, or age
Visit our Benefits site for more information.
01


*******Applicants for this recruitment will be rated based on their answers to the supplemental questions listed below and application materials. It is IMPERATIVE that information provided on the application and resume are detailed and clearly outline your work experience & skills. They must also support and/or match answers to the supplemental questions.Please initial the box below to CONFIRM that the information provided is accurate and true to the best of your knowledge. Falsification may result in disqualification from consideration for this and subsequent recruitments with Dakota County for up to three years.
02


Select your highest level of education completed by close date from the list below.

• High School Diploma or G.E.D equivalent
• Certificate equivalent to 1 year of full-time post secondary education
• Associate Degree (or 2 year Certificate)
• Bachelors' Degree
• Master's Degree or higher
• None of the above

03


If you have a degree, what is the field of study?

• Corrections
• Counseling
• Criminal Justice
• Education
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Social Work
• Other Human Services related field
• Other non-related field

04


If you selected other Human Services related field to the question above, please list what your field of study is, otherwise please write 'N/A'.
05


Select the option below that best describes your experience in Corrections or Human Services Treatment Programs, or related experience. Convert any part-time experience to years (i.e. 20 hours week for 2 years equals 1 year full-time). This experience must be clearly listed on your application to receive credit.

• I have no experience, but I am willing to gain it.
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year
• 2 years
• 3 years
• 4 years
• 5 years or more

06


Describe any other experience you may have related to a corrections or human services agency. Type "none" in the space provided if you do not have this experience.
07


Do you have a valid driver's license?

• Yes
• No

08


Are you currently 21 years of age or older?

• Yes
• No

09


Have you completed 400 hours or more as an intern and/or volunteer in the community corrections field?

• Yes
• No

10


If "Yes" to the question above, write in the space below the name of the agency/organization where you interned and/or volunteered and briefly describe your experience? If "no" write "none" in the space below.
11


Select the option below that best describes your PAID FULL-TIME experience working with JUVENILE clients in a county Community Corrections department. Convert any part-time experience to years (i.e. 20 hours week for 2 years equals 1 year full-time). This experience must be clearly listed on your application to receive credit.

• I have no experience, but I am willing to gain it.
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year
• 2 years
• 3 years
• 4 years
• 5 or more years

12


Select the option below that best describes your PAID FULL-TIME experience working with ADULT clients in a county Community Corrections department. Convert any part-time experience to years (i.e. 20 hours week for 2 years equals 1 year full-time). This experience must be clearly listed on your application to receive credit.

• I have no experience, but I am willing to gain it.
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year
• 2 years
• 3 years
• 4 years
• 5 or more years

13


Select the option below that best describes your PAID direct client experience working in a JUVENILE residential setting. This experience must be clearly listed on your application to receive credit.

• I have no experience, but I am willing to gain it.
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year
• 2 years
• 3 years
• 4 years
• 5 or more years

14


Select the option below that best describes your PAID direct client experience working in an ADULT residential setting. This experience must be clearly listed on your application to receive credit.

• I have no experience, but I am willing to gain it.
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year
• 2 years
• 3 years
• 4 years
• 5 or more years

15


Select from the list below all FULL-TIME work experience you have held for one year or more. Convert any part-time experience to years (i.e. 20 hours week for 2 years equals 1 year full-time). Any experience you claim here must be included in your application or you will not receive credit for the experience. Select all that apply.

• Community Corrections Sr. Program Associate
• Community Corrections Program Assistant
• Correctional Deputy (Jail)
• Classroom Aide or Assistant
• Case Managers - DD, MH, CD client populations
• Residential Treatment experience
• Other related experience to corrections or human services agency (Describe below)
• I have less than 1 year work experience.
• I do not have work experience, but I am willing to gain it.

16


Check all that apply regarding work you have performed in a professional capacity. Any experience you claim here must be on your application or you will not receive credit for this experience.

• Risk Assessments
• Facilitation of cog groups
• Motivational interviewing
• Case Plans
• Use of Carey Guides
• Client progress reports/memos
• Treatment Reports
• Institutional log/case entries
• Administrative/policy reports
• I do not have experience, but I am willing to gain it.

17


Check all that apply regarding experience obtained partnering with other Community Services departments to provide services to clients in the following areas:

• Housing
• Employment
• Education
• Child Support
• Transportation
• Food and Nutrition
• Medical Assistance
• Physical Health
• Mental Health
• Chemical Health
• None

18


If you have received training in culturally sensitive communication with minority populations, please describe this training below. Include dates and who facilitated the training. If you do not have this experience type "none" in the space provided.
19


Select the option below that best describes your experience facilitating groups.

• I have no experience, but I am willing to gain it.
• Less than 1 year
• 1 year
• 2 years
• 3 or more years

20


Describe your experience facilitating groups. If you do not have this experience type "none" in the space provided.
21


The full salary range for this position is $73,515- $114,868 annually and preferred hiring range is $73,515- $82,705 annually. The amount that is offered is dependent on the candidate's overall skills, education, experience and internal equity. The offer would also include the County's benefits package.

Taking that information into consideration, what would be the minimum salary you'd accept if selected for the position?
22


Please initial the box below to CONFIRM that you understand that a background check including but not limited to criminal, employment, driving, and educational check may be conducted upon acceptance of a position.
23


Your response to this question will help Dakota County evaluate the effectiveness of recruitment sources for this specific position. Please select the one source that most closely describes how you first learned about this opportunity.

• Facebook
• Friend, Family or Colleague
• Indeed
• Job Fair or Dakota County Event
• Job Interest e-mails from Dakota County
• League of Minnesota Cities
• LinkedIn
• Diversityjobs.com
• Minnesotaworks.net
• Minnesota Association of Counties
• Monster
• Professional Association Website
• Referred by a Dakota County Employee
• College Website, Instructor, Career Services
• Dakota County Website
• Other

24


If you selected Other, please indicate where you heard about this opportunity with Dakota County.
Required Question