Community Corrections Officer

Osceola County•Kissimmee, FL

About The Position

This professional corrections position assesses and supervises pretrial or probation defendants, monitors compliance with court-ordered conditions, and provides timely information to the Court. The officer conducts case management, risk and needs assessments, interviews, record checks, and office, home, and field visits; connects defendants with community resources; documents progress and contacts; prepares court reports; and may testify in court. Work is performed under the general supervision of a supervisor or designee and is evaluated on accuracy, efficiency, and achievement of desired results. Depending on assignment, duties include interviewing people booked into jail, gathering and verifying demographic and criminal-history information, assessing pretrial risks, making release decisions or recommendations, preparing release plans, and supervising pretrial caseloads. Probation duties include supervising misdemeanor probationers and diversion-program participants, developing case plans, tracking community service, facilitating evidence-based classes or groups, processing violations, and coordinating referrals and interventions. The position also participates in staff meetings and training, may train new employees, and performs other related duties, including emergency duties. The role requires attention to detail, effective communication, sound judgment, professionalism, integrity, conflict management, problem-solving, and the ability to adapt hours and effort to caseload demands, potentially outside normal scheduled work hours.

Requirements

Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university in Criminal Justice, Criminology, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, Public Administration, or a closely related field.
One year of experience in probation, pretrial release, community corrections, counseling, evidence-based programs, case management, social work, and/or corrections; an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.
Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver’s License.
Must obtain FCIC/NCIC certification within 30 days of hire.
Ability and willingness to adapt work hours and effort to divisional caseload demands, which may include working outside the normal scheduled workday.
Knowledge of investigative methods and practices applicable to pretrial and probation services, social services programs, community resources, modern pretrial or probation practices, human behavior, social sciences, criminal justice and probation systems, case management, rehabilitation, field supervision, and applicable federal, state, and local rules and procedures.
Ability to gather and compose data, prepare reports, maintain records, conduct investigations related to program eligibility and compliance, and maintain confidentiality.
Ability to exercise good judgment, firmness, and tact; work effectively under stressful conditions; and react appropriately to challenging or dangerous situations.
Ability to read, understand, analyze, and follow oral and written information, including legal documentation and technical materials.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively orally and in writing and interact professionally and tactfully with defendants, families, agencies, coworkers, judiciary members, and the public.
Ability to use a personal computer efficiently and quickly learn relevant software programs.
Ability to prioritize and organize work, make sound supervision judgments in office and field settings, plan and manage programs, and work independently in office and field environments.
Must be capable of working under stressful conditions.
Must be able to walk, sit, or stand for extended periods; walk, run, stop, bend, and climb stairs; and meet the stated light physical-demand requirements, including lifting up to 20 pounds maximum and frequently lifting or carrying up to 10 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Responsibilities

Provide professional case management and supervision to pretrial or probation defendants while monitoring compliance with court-ordered terms and conditions.
Complete risk and needs assessments, determine appropriate supervision levels, and use motivational interviewing during interviews, assessments, and face-to-face contacts.
Conduct intake orientations, interviews, record checks, and background verification, including checks of residence, employment, and criminal history.
Refer defendants to community resources and services, monitor their participation and progress, and provide crisis intervention when needed.
Document defendant progress, contacts, compliance, incidents, and noncompliance; maintain accurate computer case files and records in accordance with County requirements.
Prepare court reports and pretrial release recommendations, present information to the Court orally and in writing, and testify or participate in court proceedings as appropriate.
Conduct urinalysis screenings when necessary and notify the Court promptly of new law violations or noncompliance issues.
Conduct office, home, and field visits to verify residence and promote public safety and compliance with court-ordered conditions.
Issue travel permits, explain court dates, update defendant information and status in databases, and maintain complete files for open and closed cases.
Interview defendants booked into jail, gather and verify information through data systems and personal, family, employer, and other references, and review arrest affidavits to evaluate security risk.
Make administrative release decisions under the Administrative Order or recommend release decisions to the Judge; prepare tailored release plans or agreements.
Monitor jail populations for eligible non-sentenced inmates and supervise pretrial defendants with felony or misdemeanor charges.
Supervise misdemeanor probationers and county diversion participants; develop and oversee case plans based on defendant needs and court conditions.
Conduct monthly probation contacts, review provider reports, coordinate and track community service, facilitate evidence-based classes or groups, and process violations or diversion-program rejections.
Facilitate transfers of supervision to other jurisdictions, advocate for defendants, and conduct correctional interventions.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with attorneys, judges, law enforcement, service agencies, coworkers, department management, and the public.
Adapt practices to incorporate evidence-based and other best practices; participate in staff meetings and relevant training.
Assist in developing and delivering targeted programming for offenders or inmates, and train new employees and complete Daily Observation Reports when assigned.
Perform other related work, including duties during weather or other extreme emergencies.