Parole Officer - Winter %2725 Regional Posting for Hamilton County

State of Ohio • Cincinnati, OH

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About The Position

Guided by the agency's mission "To reduce recidivism among those we touch," the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction is looking for a dedicated security minded professional to assume the responsibilities of a Parole Officer in Hamilton County.

Requirements

• Associate’s degree from accredited educational institution; 2 yrs. exp. in criminal justice, corrections, law enforcement, social service or related field; must have no legal prohibition against carrying firearms; valid driver’s license.
• Or Bachelor’s degree, from accredited educational institution; must have no legal prohibition against carrying firearms; valid driver’s license.
• Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted above.
• NOTE\: Applicants for positions in Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction must also successfully pass parole officer assessment or have successfully completed assessment within past 12 mos.; or applicants must be current employees with Ohio Department of Rehabilitation & Correction who have previously been certified in position of parole officer.
• Probationary period is 365 days.
• Probationary parole officers may not transfer to vacancy through canvass process but may be reassigned by management to another vacancy within same headquarter county.
• The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis).
• Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.

Responsibilities

• Under general supervision from Supervisor, oversees offenders.
• Interviews, visits and observes offenders at residence/work site or other community locations.
• Utilizes evidence-based supervision practices to facilitate behavioral change in offenders.
• Obtains certification in Ohio Risk Assessment System completes offender risk assessments as directed.
• Interviews offenders and reviews documents, records, and reports to develop case plans in conjunction with offenders to address identified risk factors.
• Maintains and reviews case plans with offenders throughout supervision period to gauge progress of established goals.
• Provides individual and group advice by listening, speaking and providing written instructions to offenders.
• Conducts visual and auditory surveillance which includes operating electronic monitor equipment as needed.
• Performs drug testing by collecting and transporting specimens or using drug kit procedures when necessary and maintains a written chain of evidence from sample collection through testing and hearing process.
• Conducts DNA testing as prescribed by statute.
• Finds employment and vocational opportunities for offenders by making referrals to community service agencies.
• Maintains contact with offender families, friends, employers and others by interviewing, observing behaviors and reviewing written documents and records.
• Develops sound caseload management involving analysis of caseload and making necessary community referrals in order to make adjustments in offender activity.
• Oversees caseload which requires special training to properly supervise substance abusers, drug offenders, sex offenders, special releasee and special needs offenders as needed.
• Conducts and completes placement, arrest and violation investigations by interviewing individuals, reading and understanding technical information including medical, psychological, law enforcement and legal documents.
• Completes, by operating personal computer, writing or dictating appropriate reports of investigations making correctional recommendations to be used in decisions of judges, parole administrators or parole board members in sentencing and revocation procedures.
• Updates and uses records through use of field officer tools (FOT) to include recording offender case activity and officer activity.
• Travel to offender homes, places of employment, jails and courts etc. by operating personal or state vehicle.
• Prepares information and initiates packets for Parole Board Hearings.
• Screens inmates to determine eligibility and makes recommendations for transfer into transitional control program.
• Responds in writing to inmate inquiries (i.e. kites).
• Conducts and completes clemency and other investigations by interviewing individuals, reading and understanding technical information including medical, psychological, law enforcement and legal documents.
• Completes, by operating personal computer, writing or dictating appropriate reports of investigations to be used in decisions and/or recommendations of parole board members.
• Facilitates special hearings (i.e. clemency, full board) when needed.
• Completes, by operating personal computer, writing or dictating, and delivers written arrest, hold and release orders.
• Secures and delivers search warrants and subpoenas to jails and law enforcement, correctional and court agencies.
• Pursues declared violators-at-large, arrests violators and conducts search and seizure of contraband which involves walking, running, climbing, crawling, bending, stooping, lifting or using force such as applying unarmed self-defense techniques or using restraining devices like handcuffs, belly chains or leg irons and OC spray/pepper gas as needed.
• Develops and presents cases at revocation hearings.
• Collects evidence.
• Organizes written documents, records and reports.
• Examines and cross examines witnesses.
• Testifies as required.
• Operates personal or state vehicle to transport witnesses or violators or other releases.
• Provides work direction and trains staff as necessary through conducting orientation of new staff, on-the-job training and in-service training.
• Completes, by operating personal computer, writing or dictating, lesson plans and documents training activities.
• Oversees outpost office which consists of two to three less experienced staff as required.
• Completes, by operating personal computer, writing or dictating, background investigations on prospective employees.
• Develops sound working relations with community agencies, citizen groups and criminal justice agencies to secure community resources for benefit of clients.
• Writes or dictates speeches and presentations for authorized speaking engagements.
• Participates on community councils and committees.
• Functions on an inter-agency level as coordinator with halfway houses and prevention programs.
• Acts as liaison with state hospitals to accomplish appropriate level of services for clients.
• Presents pre-release programs at penal institutions from written presentation guide or lesson plan.
• Travels to and participates in staff meetings, conferences and training session.
• Must conduct themselves professionally, and in a law-abiding manner, at all times and in accordance with Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction Standards of Employee Conduct.
• Obtains certification in Ohio Risk Assessment System completes offender risk assessments as directed.

Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems ( such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS ) & Optional Deferred Compensation ( Ohio Deferred Compensation )
• Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree