Lima Region Parole Officer (Hancock, Henry And Putnam Counties) - Spring 2024

Who We Are…

Guided by a single mission "To reduce recidivism among those we touch," the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction believes that everyone is capable of positive change. Our staff embrace these core values and serves as role models for pro-social behavior conveying an attitude of dignity and respect in the treatment of others.

What You'll Do:

Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction is looking for a dedicated security minded professional to assume the responsibilities of a Parole Officer vacancies in Hancock, Henry, and Putnam counties.

• Under general supervision from Supervisor, oversees offenders.

• Interviews, visits and observes offenders at residence/work site or other community locations.

• Utilizes evidence based supervision practices to facilitate behavioral change in offenders.

• Obtains certification in Ohio Risk Assessment System completes offender risk assessments as directed.

• Interviews offenders and reviews documents, records, and reports to develop case plans in conjunction with offenders to address identified risk factors.

• Maintains and reviews case plans with offenders throughout supervision period to gauge progress of established goals.

• Provides individual and group advice by listening, speaking and providing written instructions to offenders.

• Conducts visual and auditory surveillance which includes operating electronic monitor equipment as needed.

• Performs drug testing by collecting and transporting specimens or using drug kit procedures when necessary and maintains a written chain of evidence from sample collection through testing and hearing process.

• Conducts DNA testing as prescribed by statute.

• Finds employment and vocational opportunities for offenders by making referrals to community service agencies.

• Maintains contact with offender families, friends, employers and others by interviewing, observing behaviors and reviewing written documents and records.

• Develops sound caseload management involving analysis of caseload and making necessary community referrals in order to make adjustments in offender activity.

• Oversees caseload which requires special training to properly supervise substance abusers, drug offenders, sex offenders, special releasee and special needs offenders as needed.

• Conducts and completes placement, arrest and violation investigations by interviewing individuals, reading and understanding technical information including medical, psychological, law enforcement and legal documents.

• Completes, by operating personal computer, writing or dictating appropriate reports of investigations making correctional recommendations to be used in decisions of judges, parole administrators or parole board members in sentencing and revocation procedures.

• Updates and uses records through use of field officer tools (FOT) to include recording offender case activity and officer activity.

• Travel to offender homes, places of employment, jails and courts etc. by operating personal or state vehicle.

• Prepares information and initiates packets for Parole Board Hearings.

• Screens inmates to determine eligibility and makes recommendations for transfer into transitional control program.

• Responds in writing to inmate inquiries (i.e. kites)

• Conducts and completes clemency and other investigations by interviewing individuals, reading and understanding technical information including medical, psychological, law enforcement and legal documents

• Completes, by operating personal computer, writing or dictating appropriate reports of investigations to be used in decisions and/or recommendations of parole board members

• Facilitates special hearings (i.e. clemency, full board ) when needed.

• Completes, by operating personal computer, writing or dictating, and delivers written arrest, hold and release orders.

• Secures and delivers search warrants and subpoenas to jails and law enforcement, correctional and court agencies.

• Pursues declared violators-at-large, arrests violators and conducts search and seizure of contraband which involves walking, running, climbing, crawling, bending, stooping, lifting or using force such as applying unarmed self-defense techniques or using restraining devices like handcuffs, belly chains or leg irons and OC spray/pepper gas as needed.

• Develops and presents cases at revocation hearings.

• Collects evidence.

• Organized written documents, records, and reports.

• Examines and cross examines witnesses.

• Testifies as required

• Operates personal or state vehicle to transport witnesses or violators or other releases.

• Provides work direction and trains staff as necessary through conducting orientation of new staff, on-the-job training and in-service training.

• Completes, by operating personal computer, writing or dictating, lesson plans and documents training activities

• Oversees outpost office which consists of two to three less experienced staff as required.

• Completes, by operating personal computer, writing or dictating, background investigations on prospective employees.

• Develops sound working relations with community agencies, citizen groups and criminal justice agencies to secure community resources for benefit of clients.

• Participates on community councils and committees.

• Functions on an inter-agency level as coordinator with halfway houses and prevention programs

• Acts as liaison with state hospitals to accomplish appropriate level of services for clients

• Presents pre-release programs at penal institutions from written presentation guide or lesson plan

• Travels to and participates in staff meetings, conferences and training session.

• Must conduct themselves professionally, and in a law-abiding manner, at all times and in accordance with Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Standards of Employee Conduct.

Obtains certification in Ohio Risk Assessment System completes offender risk assessments as directed

Helpful Tips

Application Procedures:

• In order to be considered for this position, you must apply on-line through this posting website. (We no longer accept paper applications.)

• When completing your on-line Ohio Civil Service Application, be sure to clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications outlined on this job posting.

• We cannot give you credit for your qualifications, experience, education and training in the job selection process if you do not provide it in your on-line application.

• You can check the status of your application by signing into your profile on this website.

• We will communicate with you through the email you provided in your profile and job application. Be sure to check your email often

What's in it for you:

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

Medical Coverage

• Quality, affordable, and competitive medical benefits are offered through the available Ohio Med plans.

Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance

• Dental, vision, and basic life insurance premiums are free after completed eligibility period. Length of eligibility period is dependent on union representation.

Time Away From Work and Work/Life Balance

• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, and sick leave

• 11 paid holidays per year

• Childbirth/Adoption leave

Employee Development Funds

• The State of Ohio offers a variety of educational and professional development funding that varies based on whether you are a union-exempt employee or a union-represented employee.

Ohio Public Employees Retirement System

• OPERS is the retirement system for State of Ohio employees. The employee contributes 10% of their salary towards their retirement. The employer contributes an amount equal to 14% of the employee's salary. Visit the OPERS website for more information.

Deferred Compensation

• The Ohio Deferred Compensation program is a 457(b) voluntary retirement savings plan. Visit the Ohio Deferred Compensation website for more information.

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a Model Employer of Individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

Associate's degree from accredited educational institution; 2 yrs. exp. in criminal justice, corrections, law enforcement, social service or related field; must have no legal prohibition against carrying firearms; valid driver's license.

• Or Bachelor's degree, from accredited educational institution; must have no legal prohibition against carrying firearms; valid driver's license.

• Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted above. NOTE: Applicants for positions in Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction must also successfully pass parole officer assessment or have successfully completed assessment within past 12 mos.; or applicants must be current employees with Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction who have previously been certified in position of parole officer. Probationary period is 365 days. Probationary parole officers may not transfer to vacancy through canvass process but may be reassigned by management to another vacancy within same headquarter county.

Job Skills: Criminology/Criminal Justice

Technical Skills: Criminology/Criminal Justice, Professional Skills, Critical Thinking, Verbal Communication Written Communication