General Description

POSTING TYPE: Open Competitive
DEPARTMENT: Community Corrections
HOURS: Full-time, Days 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
PREFERRED HIRING RANGE: $67,643-$84,554 annually
FULL SALARY RANGE: $67,643 - $105,693 Annually (108 Salary Grade)
LOCATION: West St. Paul
UNION: A450
CLOSE DATE: 4:30p.m. on 5/30/2024
DAKOTA COUNTY COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS IS HIRING A PROBATION OFFICER TO MANAGE A CASELOAD OF DRUG DIVERSION AND DWI PROGRAM CLIENTS.This agent will work from the West St. Paul (Northern Services Center) location.
THIS RECRUITMENT REQUIRES THE COMPLETION OF SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS WHICH MUST BE RECEIVED WITH THE APPLICATION.
What you will do:Probation officers establish professional relationships with clients involved in the criminal justice system. The primary responsibility of a probation officer is to facilitate client change actively and directly. This requires a holistic view of human behavior. Dakota County seeks probation officers who see themselves as change agents for their clients, engaging clients and their families, assessing their barriers to success, supporting access to needed services, motivating clients to seek change, and extending interventions that lead clients to greater success. In addition, probation officers are responsible to monitor and document conditions of probation through court reports and recommendations, refer and facilitate cognitive behavioral and other service groups.
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.
Community Corrections is part of the Community Services Division. Community Services includes Social Services, Public Health, Veteran Services, and Employment and Economic Assistance. The division is focusing on Integrated Service Delivery and meeting the needs of all our clients no matter which department(s) are providing services. We work with our clients to support their needs for housing, employment, transportation, health care, education, financial assistance, and empowerment.

Minimum Qualifications

Need to Have Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, corrections, social Work, criminal Justice, human services, sociology, education, or related field.

• Two years professional work experience with clients from a diverse background in the fields of corrections, social work, social services, education, chemical dependency, mental health, residential treatment, or related field.

• Valid driver's license.

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.

• Collect information about clients through, interviews, observations, assessments, and collateral contacts.
• Assess clients risks and needs. Modify case plan and service intensity based on on-going risk and needs assessments.
• Help clients to express their thoughts and feelings, helping them to develop insight into themselves and their behavior.
• Engage with the client's natural support system such as family, friends, employers, and communities to support the change process.
• Once information has been gathered regarding barriers and risks, engage clients in skill building through role playing, modeling, and other cognitive and behavioral interventions.
• Demonstrate skill and commitment to working cross-culturally, respectful of lived experiences in all communications and focused on expanding one’s own awareness and understanding as to support and remove social and economic disparities that exist.
• Plan intentional targeted visits with clients to work on case plan goals, skill development and risk reduction.
• Rely on research-supported practices, utilizing motivational interviewing to increase intrinsic motivation to change, and promote skill building by utilizing Evidence Based Practices (EBP).
• Write reports and other documents for the court, referring agency, and other parties.
• Maintain complete client records and documentation in keeping with department, state, and legal standards.
• Facilitate cognitive behavioral groups.
• Provide active case management, referring clients to appropriate treatment and supportive services, and collaborate with providers.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities and Work Environment

Required at time of hire:

• Ability to adapt to and support organizational change.
• Ability to explore individual's cultural perspectives to learn the impact of culture on behaviors, attitudes, reactions, communication cues, resiliency, and values of clients.
• Skill in communicating across difference based on a strong awareness of one's own personal values, stereotypes, and biases.
• Ability to respond in a genuine and empathetic manner to clients, utilizing techniques such as active listening and reflection.
• Ability to convey information effectively and appropriately in writing and discussion.
• Ability to consider creative approaches to achieving case goals, looking beyond pro forma remedies.
• Ability to manage conflict and deescalate crisis situations.
• Ability to adapt to and support organizational change.

• Knowledge of laws and court procedures in adult court in Minnesota and understand them.
• Ability to work in multisystem collaborations, including within the criminal justice system, across the Community Services division, and with treatment and service providers.
• Ability to learn and implement EBP in community corrections including risk assessment, motivational interviewing, professional alliance, and cognitive interventions.
• Ability to learn and understand laws and court procedures in adult court in Minnesota.
• Ability to manage conflict and deescalate crisis situations.
• Ability and willingness to engage a client’s natural support system to facilitate supportive relationships in the case planning process.
• Willingness to partner and engage with job coach for ongoing professional growth and development as an adaptive component.
• Demonstrates ability to work independently in county data bases.

• Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, vision, and other benefits.
• Excellent work-life balance.
• Generous paid time off (accrual rate starts at four weeks per year).
• Eleven paid holidays each year and one floating holiday.
• Pension with a generous employer contribution.
• Ability to work from home some of the time.

• You submit an online application that includes supplemental questions
• We assign you a score based on your qualifications
• Top scoring candidates are referred to the hiring manager for interview consideration
• We conduct interviews and reference checks before extending an offer
• We extend an offer and conduct background checks