Probation Officer I

The Adult Probation Officer I is responsible for the supervision of individuals that have been granted parole or sentenced to probation by the court. The role encourages long term positive change, enforces compliance with court ordered conditions and helps reduce the risk of recidivism. This role serves under the auspices of the Chester County Court of Common Pleas.

• Provides ongoing supervision by maintaining regular contact with justice involved individuals, monitoring compliance with rules and regulations of probation and parole, along with special conditions imposed by the court. Officers work to ensure community safety, identify violations, and take appropriate action. 
• Maintains professional and timely contact with family members, victims, members of law enforcement, the court, community, and treatment providers.
• Gathers information through interviews with clients, victims, court, law enforcement, treatment providers and other parties as necessary.
• Supports, promotes and actively engages in the use of evidence-based practices such as risk and needs assessments, motivational interviewing, case planning and skill building exercises.  
• Utilizes the risk/needs results to make appropriate referrals to treatment agencies to address the individual’s needs and continuously monitors the individual’s participation and progress in these programs to ensure compliance and appropriate outcomes.  
• Enforces confidentiality of protected information
• Completes and submits court reports with an emphasis on accuracy, timeliness, professionalism, appropriate use of grammar and proper formatting.
• Actively promotes teamwork among units and the department.
• Ensures that all information pertaining to case work is well documented, thorough, and accurate.
• Supports and monitors the collection of fines, costs, and restitution.
• Maintains a confident demeanor with the ability to testify in court regarding all information pertaining to those individuals under supervision. 
• Performs duty team tasks, which include assisting with temporarily unsupervised caseloads, answering phone calls, testifying in court, and interviewing new clients who have been sentenced or released from prison.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, or an equivalent combination of training, education and experience.
• Completion of the state provided/funded Adult Probation and Parole Basic Training Academy and Defensive Tactics Training Certification, within six months of employment.

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Criminal Justice or related field, and six months of probation/parole experience, criminal justice, or social service case management.

1. Verbal and written skills
2. Interviewing and investigating skills
3. Organizational/Time Management skills
4. Interpersonal skills
5. Customer Service skills
6. Analytical/Problem Solving skills
7. Prioritization/Multi-tasking skills
8. Motivated/Works Independently
9. Detail Oriented
10. Confidentiality
11. Honest, Integrity and Professional Ethics

• Supports the Vision, Mission and Guiding Principles of the Adult Probation, Parole and Pretrial Services Department.
• Basic knowledge of criminal justice terminology and court procedures.
• Strong ability to assess needs and priorities.
• Ability to work extended/non-traditional hours.
• Valid driver’s license and use of personal vehicle.

• Familiarity with the laws and procedures concerning probation/parole supervision (i.e., search and seizures, violations, confidentiality etc.). 
• Knowledge of illegal and prescription drugs, and the effects, and length of time spent in someone’s system.
• Working knowledge of psychology and substance abuse.
• Knowledge of evidence-based practices and motivational interviewing.
• Ability to handle and resolve recurring problems and to make firm and unbiased decisions.
• General working knowledge of County of Chester policies and procedures.