Adult Probation Officer I, II Or III

Steele County

Job Description

Job Title: Adult Probation Officer I

Department: Community Corrections

Immediate Supervisor: Assistant Director of Community Corrections

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

DBM Rating: C42

Union: AFSCME, #147 (Probation Officers)

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Assistant Community Corrections Director, the Adult Probation Officer is responsible to provide supervision and case management services to defendants placed on pretrial supervision, probation, supervise release and specialized supervision, in an effort to enhance public safety and facilitate offender change through evidence based and restorative practices. Provide the Court with written and verbal reports to assist them in the issuance of an appropriate evidence based disposition. Act as a liaison between the Bench, county departments, local/state/federal agencies, treatment providers, service providers, the public and offender's to help offenders establish and maintain a positive support network in the community. This position includes non-traditional hours, including nights and weekends. Perform other duties as assigned. All tasks will be performed in accordance with county and department policy and procedure.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Monitors and supervises probation clients through mail correspondence, telephone, office appointments, and/or home visits depending upon court orders, level of supervision and conditions of probation to assure and verify compliance with court orders.

• Conducts presentencing investigations, domestic abuse assessments, violation reports, progress reports, bail evaluations, restitution analysis in providing the court as much information and assistance regarding the offender. Prepares written and verbal reports, recommendations or assessments to the court.

• Provides recommendations to court for sentencing, re-sentencing, probation discharge or extension.

• Develop and implement case management plans with offenders using motivational interviewing.

• Provide counseling and intervention to offenders through pro-social modeling and role playing.

• Facilitation of Cognitive Skills programming.

• Performs Offender Risk/Needs Assessments and Case Planning: Conducts risk/need assessments according to department policy on offenders under supervision. Assessments will be basis of supervision plan for the offender in the community and will focus on criminogenic needs as identified on the assessment.

• Provides Offender Community Supervision. Supervises sentenced/adjudicated and accused offenders assigned by the court, county attorney, or Minnesota Department of Corrections. Imposes a level of supervision of all offenders per department caseload management classification system to enhance public safety, enforce law-abiding behavior, and compliance with rules established by the court or releasing authority. Monitors, manages, and adjusts offender behavior in the community while focusing on areas of need based on offender risk/need assessment. Coordinates case planning with the client, parents, support system, and other involved professionals as needed.

• Performs Court Related and Administrative Hearing Activities. Attends all required court and administrative hearings and court functions involving assigned clients. Presents oral reports to the court or hearing officer and recommend dispositional alternatives. Testifies at violation and dispositional hearings. Communicates with other professionals for case consultation and carries out the directives of the court.

• Applies judgment and discretion in applying apprehension and detention orders for violations in probation conditions.

• Completes investigations on offenders for the purposes of sentencing, transfers, bail evaluations, etc. through the completion of interviews, victim impact statements, contacts with family members or employers, record checks, risk assessments, and information gained from outside agencies.

• Coordinates the supervision of offenders with other outside agencies. Refers offenders to outside agencies for CD, mental health, anger management, domestic violence, educational services and regular correspondence with these agencies to verify compliance with court orders.

• Completes admission criteria, admissions paperwork and provides background information to placement facilities.

• Attends staffing at facilities to monitor client progress and to assure their needs are being met.

• Transports clients to and from facilities for appointments or court.

• Collects bodily fluids from offenders. Submits offender mouth swabs for the collection of DNA sampling for registration with the BCA. Supervises drug testing of offenders per court orders. Arranges for fingerprinting through the Detention Center.

• Conduct compliance checks in the field to defendants placed on pretrial supervision, probation, supervised release and specialized supervision.

• Facilitation of monitoring equipment inner office and in the field.

• Assesses offender risks and needs. Assesses the offender's risk of re-offending and their needs through the use of regular contact and tools such as LS/CMI and Domestic Violence Inventory.

• Maintains case management records, files, activities, contacts, assessments, etc. in CSTS accordance with department policies and procedures.

• Performs other duties of a comparable level or type, as required.

• Keeps abreast of changing legislation, trends and developments in areas of responsibility.

• Participates, attends and/or participates in various professional organizations, as appropriate.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree

• Major field of study or degree emphasis: Corrections, Criminal Justice, Sociology, Psychology or a closely related field

• No prior experience required

• Valid Driver's License

• Ability to pass a standard background check

Essential Knowledge

• Knowledge of MN laws and statutes and sentencing guidelines.

• Knowledge of court procedures, decorum and processes.

• Considerable knowledge of individual and group behavior.

• Knowledge of word processing and specialized court/case management software.

• Department documentation requirements and case management requirements.

• Knowledge and basic fundamentals of chemical dependency, CD substances commonly abused and CD and drug testing procedures.

• Knowledge of community resources, treatment facilities or other community support agencies.

Essential Skills

• Interpersonal and collaborative skills to work constructively within an agency in a community setting and effectively utilize available resources and services in connection with a case plan.

• Planning, organizing and implementing case plans.

• Conducting investigations and preparing written and verbal recommendations concerning sentencing, re-sentencing, placement/referral recommendations, bail assessments, restitution assessments, domestic abuse assessments, etc. for the court.

• Rapport building, counseling and interviewing skills.

• Planning and implementing case management functions, monitoring and responsibilities.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills to prepare and present information and facts to the public, the court, clients or community groups.

• Monitoring compliance of conditions of probation and to providing appropriate guidance and support.

• Preparing and documenting reports, case information, plans, reports and other information needed to properly maintain case management records.

Physical Job Requirements (Percentage of Time)

Category: Sedentary Work

• Stand: occasionally (1-33%)

• Walk: occasionally (1-33%)

• Sit: frequently (34-66%)

• Use of hands: frequently (34-66%)

• Reach with hands & arms: never

• Climb or balance: never

• Stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl: occasionally (1-33%)

• Talk or hear: continuously (66-100%)

• Taste or smell: occasionally (1-33%)

• Lift & carry: up to 10 pounds occasionally (1-33%)

Working Conditions

Duties of the job involves risks from clients with mental health and chemical health issues; past violent or erratic behavior; clients who may be aggressive, volatile, angry and/or hostile; frequent travel in seeing clients at home or at work. May issue orders to have clients placed in custody.

This description is intended to describe the kinds of tasks and levels 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 of personnel so classified.

• Qualifications and experience will be viewed to determine if hired into an Adult Probation Officer I, II or III.