Probation Officer - Sr

Job Title

Starting Compensation: $61,542.00/Annually

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Job Description

JOB SUMMARY

• This position involves the administration of criminal justice, supervising and enforcing treatment requirements on individuals on the sexual offender caseload who are under probation or parole supervision.
• Work is accomplished through the assignment of a caseload of individuals for which the employee is responsible.
• As an appointed representative of the Court, this employee is responsible to provide legal accountability through enforcement, intervention, and redirection as required/needed by each client on probation/parole supervision.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

• This position reports directly to a Supervisor in Adult Probation and Parole Services.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Meet regularly with, and interview, offenders in office or field settings to review: compliance with supervision directives, problems encountered, progress in applicable programs, and any other particular circumstances. Interview offender's family members, friends, associates, co-workers, treatment providers, and other knowledgeable individuals to verify information. May require non-traditional hours and may involve surveillance of offender for purpose of confirming residence and compliance with conditions of supervision.
• Develop and implement intervention strategies necessary to reduce or eliminate offender's criminal behavior. Determine the type and extent of counseling, treatment, rehabilitation, and other supports needed. Coordinate support and treatment services between service providers and the Office of Adult Probation and Parole. Develop and participate in short and long-range goals and plans including treatment services, supervision requirements, and support networks.
• Complete required documentation both within and for related agencies.
• Review available records of past criminal history, psychological or psychiatric evaluations, diagnostic testing, employment, and related psycho-social information. Complete comprehensive case histories, as well as agency determined risk/need assessment instruments.
• Assist in locating and handling offenders in instances of parole violations and/or subsequent offenses. Prepare summaries of case records and history, including recommendations for continued and/or changes to treatment. Schedule actions and work required by terms of status, including: court dates, hearing, and evaluations. Attend court appearances to provide requested information and secure documents.
• Regularly attend mandatory and additional training in the areas of counseling, skills, safety, self defense, arrest tactics, related human service areas, and for full/up-to-date proficiency in the use of computers, as required by job duties. Employee will learn arrest skills and become involved in offender detentions.
• Perform duties related to Megan's Law as well as State DNA requirements.

OTHER SPECIFIC TASKS OR DUTIES

• Initiate, cooperate with, and participate in any actions as required of a "mandated reporter" of suspected cases of child abuse.
• Performs related work as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Candidate must have a minimum of a bachelor's degree with course work in psychology, social work, criminal justice or closely related field.
• Must have a minimum of one year experience in the field of probation/parole supervision, or any combination of acceptable experience which has provided the knowledge, skills and abilities cited above.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of the dynamics of sexual offenses and victimization. Use of this knowledge is crucial to the effective supervision/treatment of the sexual offender and is critical for the proper protection of the community.
• Knowledge of characteristics of individual and group behavior, particularly that of individuals involved with criminal activities and/or anti-social behavior.
• Knowledge of methods and techniques used in supervising and counseling adult sexual offenders including understanding of the containment model for community supervision.
• Knowledge of the principles and policies of the criminal justice system, including statutes, rules, and regulations.
• Knowledge of Global Positioning System (GPS) functions for purpose of supervision.
• Ability to work with others surrounding any issue(s) of sexuality. Must include a comfort with one's own sexuality and the capacity to interact with offenders who have committed sexual offenses and who commonly use sexually explicit "street language."
• Ability and willingness to work with sexual offenders, victims, counselors/therapists, law enforcement officials, child protective caseworkers, mental health professionals, victim/witness advocates, the community, and the families of offenders.
• Ability to learn the specific operations, practices, and procedures of probation and parole supervision, as it applies to treatment, counseling, and rehabilitation of sexual offenders.
• Ability to communicate effectively with offenders, their associates, members of the Judiciary, co-workers, representatives of other agencies, and the public.
• Ability to identify and locate available community resources dealing with issues affecting offenders.
• Ability to plan, document, and carry out all steps necessary to implement client treatment intervention strategies.
• Ability to maintain accurate and complete caseload records for use by others.
• Ability to plan, organize, and manage time with efficiency and effectiveness.
• Ability and willingness to attend group counseling with sexual offenders and contribute when appropriate, at various times, including evening hours up until 9:00pm.
• Proficiency in the use of, or willingness to learn, computers and software applications, as required by job duties.

Required Licenses/Certifications/Clearances

• The candidate must pass a background investigation as required by Act 57 of 2020, 44 Pa. C.S. § 7301 et seq., and regulated by 37 Pa. Code § 241.5; a Pennsylvania Child Abuse History clearance, psychological evaluation, pre-employment physical examination, credit check, driver history check, and a drug/alcohol screening.
• Please be advised that 44 Pa. C.S. § 7310 and 37 Pa. Code § 241.6(1) also requires candidates to sign a waiver allowing Lancaster County Human Resources to contact the Municipal Police Officers' Education and Training Commission to seek a copy of any separation records on file.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• This position has been identified as having the potential for exposure to Hepatitis B. Access to training and a voluntary vaccination against Hepatitis B is provided.
• Ability to examine and process sexually graphic and explicit materials.
• Ability to sit, sometimes for long periods of time.
• Ability to escort offenders from waiting area to office.
• Ability to operate a computer or laptop.
• Ability to lift and move files weighing up to 10 pounds.
• Ability to affect an arrest of an offender.
• Ability to defend oneself from personal attack.
• Ability to provide own transportation to and from offender's homes, meetings, and other job-related appointments in a timely manner and ability to access those locations with reasonable accommodations.