Dept Promo Only - Probation Officer, Senior

Description

TYPICAL CLASSIFICATION ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Work in this classification requires an individual to be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary classification functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this classification may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in this classification description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this description.

TYPICAL CLASSIFICATION ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Participates on special projects and committees as assigned and leads the efforts of officers as they participate on special projects and committees.
• Provides input to the Unit Supervisor on the work performance of officers.
• May review and approve work in the supervisor’s absence or as appropriate
• Facilitate behavioral change for clients.
• Administers drug and alcohol testing as needed.
• May serve as a training officer.
• Provides individual and group counseling for probationers.
• Conducts interviews, investigations and makes observations in preparation for writing presentence and pre-disposition reports; Reviews and evaluates criminal records, police reports, psychiatric and psychological reports
• Directs and counsels probationers concerning probationer behavior, conditions of probation and the requirements of reporting, payment of restitution, fines and other costs associated with the terms of probation.
• Assesses probationer personalities, social history, risk to the community, individual needs and other relevant factors to determine rehabilitation potential and plans to assist with rehabilitation.
• Monitors activities of probationers by visiting residences, places of work, schools and conducts legally authorized searches of persons, places or belongings.
• Directs and/or refers probationers to community resources such as treatment centers or other agencies based on observation of activities, behavior and conditions of probation.
• Locates absconders, conducts searches, and makes arrests of probationers when necessary; appears and testifies in court as required.
• Transports probationers to jail and other locations as required
• Utilizes various databases and/or programs to enter, store and/or retrieve case file information; summarizes information for standard reports, selecting data from varied sources.
• Confers with counselors or other professionals connected to agencies providing human services to probationers, and maintains knowledge of probationers' needs, status and progress.
• Develop and implement case plan requirements to incorporate building relationships.
• May install electronic monitoring equipment utilized to ensure, as appropriate.
• Depending on area of assignment, may make decisions concerning the release/detainment of juveniles physically referred to the Juvenile Detention Center by law enforcement agencies.
• May need to react to physical confrontations and emergency situations quickly, and effectively use sanctioned techniques; takes appropriate actions to effectively de-escalate situations.
• To promote and adhere to the workplace values of accountability, commitment, and teamwork to help enrich lives beyond expectation.
• Maintain absolute confidentiality of work-related issues, customer records, and restricted County information.
• Perform other related duties as required.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK

• Bachelor’s degree in behavioral sciences or a related field from an accredited college or university; AND
• Four (4) years of experience working in probation, the state child welfare system, the juvenile justice or adult probation/parole systems; OR
• Equivalent experience and education to meet minimum requirements to perform the work.
• Be a United States citizen or legal resident.
• Be a minimum age of twenty-one (21) years.
• Complete the Arizona Probation Officer Academy; may be required to obtain a firearms certification.
• Complete and successfully pass a background investigation with no felony convictions, reference checks, interviews, polygraph and/or drug testing, and pre- employment psychological examinations.
• Must successfully complete 40-hour Defensive Tactics Training Academy as soon as practical, but no later than 120 days from the date of employment [see ACJA § 6-107(F)].
• Must demonstrate, by proficiency testing, competency and understanding of the physical and verbal techniques and tactics presented at the Defensive Tactics Training Academy.
• Must successfully complete eight (8) hours of defensive tactics refresher training on an annual basis.
• Must maintain certificate of successful completion of defensive tactics training.
• Must successfully complete the Probation Certification Academy and Intensive Probation Institute, if assigned, within the first twelve (12) months of employment [see ACJA § 6- 107(F)].
• Must submit to a medical examination required by Corrections Officer Retirement Plan.
• Arizona residents must have an Arizona Driver’s License upon hire; newly established Arizona Residents must have one within 30 days of hire.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of interviewing techniques and procedures; counseling practices and behavioral modification techniques.

• Knowledge of social and economic factors in the community and the motivation factors and needs of probationers.

• Knowledge of human services available through probation assistance programs.

• Knowledge of the purpose of court and justice system environments.

• Knowledge of applicable Federal, State, County and related laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

• Knowledge of principles and practices of leadership, supervision and training.

• Knowledge of principles of file and records management as they pertain to court system.

• Knowledge of security considerations and measures.

• Must have skills in the areas of self-control, patience, initiative, courtesy, tact and diplomacy in order to maintain effective relationships with a diversion population.

• Ability to maintain required skills, licenses, permits, and/or certifications associated with an area of specialized instruction or expertise, such as firearms qualification or a specialized caseload.

• Ability to maintain confidentiality in court related matters.

• Ability to work with material/information that is confidential, sensitive or urgent and requiring extreme tact, courtesy and mature judgement.

• Ability to review and lead work.

• Ability to conduct effective interviews and verify information obtained.

• Ability to research program documents and narrative materials, and to compile reports from information gathered.

• Ability to prepare clear, concise reports; maintain case files.

• Ability to exercise initiative and independent judgment in analyzing and applying standards to a variety of situations.

• Ability to observe behaviors and quickly analyze situations, detect problems and recall facts, respond to emergencies or stressful situation calmly, quickly, and decisively.

• Ability to follow instructions, both verbal and written.

• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing to audiences of various social, cultural, ethnic, educational and economic backgrounds.

• Must have the ability to operate a variety of equipment necessary to perform job duties such as motor vehicles, computers, telephones, radios, handcuffs, body armor and other equipment depending on case assignments.

• Independent body mobility to stand, walk, bend and sit for prolonged periods of time and/ or drive a vehicle.

• The manual dexterity necessary to reach, grasp, handwrite, and use a computer.

• Vision sufficient to see and read.

• Hearing and speech sufficient to communicate in person and over the phone.

• The ability to withstand varying weather temperatures.

• The ability to lift, drag, push, and carry items of various weight.

• Must have skills in the areas of:

  • Self-control, patience, initiative, courtesy, tact and diplomacy in order to maintain effective relationships with a diverse population.
  • Interviewing, motivating, and interpersonal relationships.
  • Time management and organization with the ability to apply principles and methods of correctional casework.
  • Critical analysis of individuals and situations in order to problem solve and make sound decisions.
  • Effective oral and written communication.

• Possess knowledge and understanding of:
  • The criminal justice system and community resources.
  • Diversion, Standard and Juvenile and/or Adult Intensive Probation and community supervision.
  • Social and community corrections casework.
  • Principles of adolescent and general human behavior; and evidence-based practices in community corrections.