Description

The Probation Officer carries a caseload and develops probation agreements in accordance with court rules and clients’ needs, performs pre-sentence investigations, supervision of clients for compliance with court orders, and provides other services as alternatives to incarceration for misdemeanant offenders.

Examples of Duties

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB

• Conducts interviews, background investigations, evaluations, and provides written and/or oral reports of treatment and alternative sentencing recommendations to the court. Obtains arrest and convictions records, abstract of driving records, and other pertinent information on individuals as needed by the court.
• Attends sentencing hearings and participates in court proceedings as required.
• Enters, updates, retrieve, and processes data from software or systems according to statutory guidelines, and current processes or procedures.
• Works closely with treatment agencies to coordinate the required reporting system to the court, assist selected individuals for placement in substance abuse treatment program, and maintains a current referral resource file of state approved treatment agencies.
• Pursues self-development and continuing personal development of skills and knowledge by attending ongoing educational workshops, reviewing professional publications, and establishing personal networks.

• Proficient knowledge of modern principles, methods, and practices in district court proceedings and processes.
• Proficientknowledge of the application and interpretation of Franklin County policies and procedures and federal, state, and local rules, laws, regulations, legislation, codes, and ordinances as they relate to area(s) of assignment.
• General skills in troubleshooting, decision making, and resolving issues or problems by analyzing problems, identifying alternative solutions, interpreting compliance documentation, projecting consequences of proposed actions and implementing recommendations in support of goals.
• Proficient time management and mental and physical organization skills that support the ability to focus, have clarity, and use strategy to fulfill a variety of tasks successfully.
• General computer skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, the internet for research, and the ability to learn and develop proficient skills in the County-wide, and District Court resource planning software.
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of sensitive and/or confidential information.
• Ability to write and speak clearly and concisely and to express ideas and recommendations effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability and willingness to establish and maintain communication and working relationships with peers, representatives from other agencies, vendors, public officials, and the general public using courtesy, tact, and good judgment.
• Ability to identify and take advantage of opportunities, organize and prioritize several ongoing and frequently changing assignments to meet deadlines, and remaining calm during emergency situations.

• Work may be performed in the following environmental conditions:
  • constantly: in an office environment.
• The noise level in the general work environment is moderate as a standard business office setting.

• spend the following amount of time in an activity:
  • constantly: sitting for extended periods of time, talk or hear, use hands and/or fingers to handle, feel, or operate equipment or tools, and reach with hands and arms,
  • frequently: walk, and
  • occasionally: stand, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• carry or transport items:
  • frequently: up to 10 pounds
  • occasionally: up to 50 pounds
• have peripheral vision, depth perception, the ability to adjust focus, and have close vision (1-20 inches) and distance vision (20 feet or more).

Typical Qualifications

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Sociology, Psychology, Criminal Justice, or related field.
• Four years of progressively responsible experience in a legal/court setting.

• Any combination of education and experience which would provide the applicant with the desired knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the job.
• Ability to speak, read, and write Spanish

• Employment at Franklin County is contingent upon the results of a background check and eligibility for coverage by the County’s liability insurance carrier. Depending upon the position, background checks may include personal and professional references, social security verification, education and professional licensing verification, financial history, and criminal history.
• Valid driver’s license if driving a vehicle for County business.
• Correctional Services Academy training completion, or ability to obtain within six months of hire.

Supplemental Information

OTHER DUTIES DISCLAIMER
The statements herein describe the principal functions of this job, level of knowledge and skills typically required, scope of responsibility, work requirements and working conditions, but are not all-inclusive. Individuals may perform other duties and Franklin County, Washington reserves the right to modify, add or remove duties, and assign other duties as necessary, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload.