County Probation Officer II

Polk County Board of County Commissioners•Bartow, FL

7d•$47,486 - $68,848

About The Position

The County Probation Officer II supervises court-ordered offenders assigned to the County Probation Division, including individuals released from Polk County jail into the Electronic Monitoring Program. The officer ensures that supervised individuals comply with all court-ordered conditions and returns cases to court for appropriate disposition when obligations are not met. The role includes probation case management, electronic monitoring, preparation of legal documents and pre-sentence investigations, court testimony, coordination with criminal justice partners, and collection and reporting of case and financial data. The position requires the ability to perform essential duties, with or without reasonable accommodation. Regular attendance and punctuality are essential. Employees may be required to work before, during, or after emergencies and may be temporarily assigned duties, locations, or schedules outside their normal scope to meet County needs. The employee is subject to call and must have daily transportation and a telephone available 24 hours a day.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university, with major coursework in criminology, psychology, sociology, or a related field; comparable related training and experience may substitute for minimum qualifications.
At least two years of probation, related case management, or criminal justice experience; comparable related training and experience may substitute for minimum qualifications.
Valid driver’s license and ability to obtain a valid Florida driver’s license at the time of employment.
Own daily transportation and a telephone available 24 hours a day; the employee is subject to call.
Must be fingerprinted and undergo a personal background investigation to evaluate moral character.
Must successfully clear pre-employment psychological evaluations.
Must undergo and maintain Level 2 FDLE screening certification.
Knowledge of case management theories, techniques, and methods relating to criminal justice offenders.
Working knowledge of Federal, State, County, and local agencies to which offenders may be referred.
Knowledge of penal rules and regulations, jail procedures, court procedures and scheduling, and laws and procedures governing confidential court records and HIPAA compliance.
Skill in interviewing offenders, identifying discrepancies or falsified documentation, and determining appropriate next steps.
Skill in dealing with offenders and family members under stressful conditions.
Knowledge of criminal justice agencies and applicable community resources.
Ability to maintain effective working relationships with court and law enforcement personnel, officials, coworkers, offenders, and the public.
Ability to exercise sound judgment, make independent decisions, and apply applicable laws, regulations, and policies to individual cases.
Ability to collect, organize, and evaluate data and draw logical conclusions.
Ability to use a computer terminal to enter and retrieve information.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Ability to maintain confidentiality of records that are not public information.
Ability to organize, prioritize, and manage work to meet deadlines and workload requirements.
Ability to work cooperatively as a team member and maintain attention to detail.
Ability to remain calm in intense environments, adapt to changing conditions, and use discernment in unusual situations to maintain personal and coworker safety in the office and field.
Ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
Regular attendance and punctuality.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual ability in English and Spanish is preferred.

Responsibilities

Receive referrals, schedule and conduct intake interviews, assess offender risk and supervision needs, make referrals for special conditions, and explain probation requirements and potential sanctions.
Assess offenders’ ability to complete court-ordered community service and assign appropriate worksites.
Arrange, coordinate, and monitor substance abuse evaluations, treatment, and urinalysis.
Coordinate or schedule court-ordered educational and corrective measures, including DUI or driving school, anger management, behavior modification, human trafficking, boating, parenting, victim impact, vehicle immobilization, gun safety, and hunting safety programs.
Maintain detailed, progressive case notes and document instructions and contacts with offenders.
Monitor and respond to deadlines associated with probation sentences.
Attend court hearings and testify under oath regarding offenders’ compliance with court orders.
Recommend sentences based on applicable statutes, criminal history, and the circumstances of an offender’s compliance.
Prepare legal documents, including probation terminations and modifications, orders revoking warrants, violation affidavits, arrest warrants, and notices to appear.
Coordinate and cooperate with judges, public defenders, state attorneys, law enforcement, pre-trial release, private counsel, and other criminal justice resources.
Compile data for monthly, quarterly, and annual statistical reports, including reports required for budgeting and County, State, and Federal purposes.
Monitor, track, collect, and distribute offender payments, including restitution and costs of supervision.
Complete court-ordered pre-sentence investigations and make legally appropriate sentencing recommendations.
Attach electronic monitoring equipment and instruct offenders in its proper use, maintenance, and rules.
Instruct offenders on court-ordered requirements and explain that release from jail depends on compliance with the court’s instructions.
Schedule when electronically monitored offenders must be at work, home, or other designated locations.
Set up computer-aided monitoring programs and enter data to ensure offenders are monitored.
Set up inclusion or exclusion zones when needed, explain them to offenders, and monitor and respond to violations.
Conduct field visits to verify compliance with restrictions and confirm that equipment is functioning properly.
Perform related duties as required.
Work before, during, or after emergencies and accept temporary assignments outside normal duties, location, or schedule as County needs require.