Chief Probation Officer - Middlesex Juvenile Court

Massachusetts Trial Court•Lowell, MI

1d•$113,264 - $167,038•Onsite

About The Position

The Chief Probation Officer serves as a department head exercising executive control and supervision over the probation office. He/she is responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring written local policies, procedures, and rules, consistent with the policies and directives established by the Commissioner of Probation and the Trial Court. The Chief Probation Officer is responsible for formulating objectives and programs regarding services performed within the office in accordance with existing policies and procedures; delegating specific responsibilities to supervisory members of his/her staff; informing the Commissioner of Probation or his/her designee of the operational conditions and needs of the probation office; and communicating to his/her probation staff the administrative directives by the Commissioner of Probation, First Justices, Departmental Chief Justices and other court officials. The Chief Probation Officer works with the Clerk Magistrate and collaborates with the First Justice to ensure the efficient administration of the court.

Requirements

Candidates must have taken and passed the 2026 CPO promotional exam to be eligible to apply to the position of Chief Probation Officer, unless you are a current Chief Probation Officer with the Massachusetts Probation Service.
Applicants must hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
Must have a minimum of 3 years of experience in the probation service as an Assistant Chief Probation Officer or equivalent/higher position in Probation Services.
Must have a record of regular participation in professional development opportunities.
All applicants must pass the applicable Probation Promotional Exam and the Assessment for the position of Chief Probation Officer.

Nice To Haves

Juvenile Court Experience is preferred.
Bi-lingual Candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole, and/or Khmer is preferred.
Graduate degree in behavioral sciences, education, administration, management, or criminal justice is preferred.
Supervisory training and/or experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Collaborates with community organizations and agencies to promote crime and delinquency prevention and remediation.
Represents the court as requested on probation-related matters.
Manages all employees in the Probation Office, serving as the Department Head responsible for designating work assignments, monitoring the completion of those assignments, and taking corrective action as necessary including progressive discipline when necessary if employee conduct does not meet expectations.
Upholds the Probation Service philosophy and goals of supervision and service to accomplish effective and efficient management of supervision and service delivery practices.
Develops and implements operational and organizational policies consistent with the Office of the Commissioner of Probation and Trial Court policies.
Develops and implements policies pertaining to personnel, practices and procedures within the probation department consistent with collective bargaining agreements.
Adopts methods for effective use of staff and improved programs and practices through the development of special skills, training, supervision, and service delivery techniques.
Modifies and adapts services and programs and develops new approaches to meet the changing needs of the court consistent with the Office of the Commissioner of Probation and Trial Court policies.
Conducts regular staff meetings to disseminate information and discuss matters relevant to probation office operations.
Identifies local training needs of probation personnel.
Informs the Commissioner of Probation or his designee of any allegations of criminal conduct by probation personnel and any intended disciplinary action against probation personnel.
Monitors and controls the flow of work in the probation office and provides statistical data as directed by the Office of the Commissioner of Probation.
Maintains accurate attendance, daily time logs, weekly time and attendance sheets, and reconciles the HRCMS time log with the Office of the Commissioner of Probation records.
Authorizes encumbrances and payments of invoices at the direction of the Commissioner of Probation or his designee.
Maintains a current inventory of all office supplies, forms and equipment.
Performs such other duties as may be assigned by the Commissioner of Probation or his designee in accordance with guidelines, policies and standards of the Massachusetts Probation Service.