Probation Officer - Central Intake

General Division•Columbus, OH

19h•Onsite

About The Position

The purpose of this position is to instruct offenders regarding supervision at both the pretrial and community control placement stages. This role requires interaction with accused and/or convicted criminal offenders, assessing offender risk levels using appropriate tools, making programming referrals, and promoting compliance through evidence-based practices. The Probation Officer will foster an inclusive and culturally competent work environment, contribute to a supportive team, and provide positive reinforcement to offenders.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in criminal justice or closely related field, or equivalent experience (applicant may substitute 2 years of related experience for each year of required education).
Ability to learn and implement evidence-based practices in the field of community corrections including effective interventions and supervision strategies.
Ability to learn and implement validated risk need tools.
Ability to receive feedback, willingness to learn and embrace continuous improvement.
Ability to engage productively and sensitively with persons of varying cultures and diversity.
Ability to apply principles of influence systems, such as motivation, incentive, and leadership, and to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to resolve problems.
Ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory, judgmental, or subjective criteria, as opposed to that which is clearly measurable or verifiable.
Ability to analyze situation quickly and objectively, and to determine proper course of action to be taken.
Ability to cope with situations firmly, courteously, tactfully, and with respect for the rights of others.
Ability to perform physical demands and exhibit mental aptitude needed to perform work duties including recognition of unusual or threatening conditions, maintain self-control and take appropriate action.
Ability to determine appropriate situations for use of force.
Ability to physically handle resistive/assaultive individuals.
Ability to evaluate, audit, deduce, and/or assess data using established criteria including exercising discretion in determining actual or probable consequences and in referencing such evaluation to identify and select alternatives.
Ability to operate, maneuver and/or control equipment, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.
Ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; ability to calculate decimals and percentages; may include ability to perform statistical analysis.
Ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work; tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation.
This position may involve infrequent lifting, carrying, running, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate to heavy weight (50 pounds).

Nice To Haves

One-year experience involving: community supervision of offenders (probation, parole); counseling; or maintaining a caseload in a case management setting.
One-year experience in assessment of offenders.
Current certification of the Ohio Risk Assessment System (ORAS) tool.

Responsibilities

Promote and adhere to the Vision, Mission, and Core Principles and Values of the Probation Department.
Foster an inclusive and culturally competent work environment.
Contribute to a strong, supportive and productive team environment.
Provide positive reinforcement to and build rapport with offenders.
Instruct offenders regarding supervision at both the pretrial and community control placement stage.
Review information from multiple sources regarding the offender’s case(s).
Develop and utilize interviewing skills that elicit open dialogue.
Conduct thorough and accurate risk/needs assessments with offenders.
Conduct any trailer tool screenings that are identified through the assessment process.
Assist in assignment of cases through the Central Intake area.
Collect DNA sample, when appropriate.
Assess offender risk levels to determine reporting requirements.
Recommend programming referrals that are either court-ordered or deemed appropriate through the assessment process.
Collect and analyze data including preparing statistical reports.
Utilize automated case management system to enter data including, creating and editing documents based on court orders.
Maintain a professional demeanor during stressful situations.
Respond courteously to inquiries.
Maintain proficiency and applicable certification with all job and training requirements.
Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending professional training and conferences.
Adhere to assigned work schedule while exhibiting regular and predictable attendance.
Maintain professional conduct and attire.
Maintain effective lines of communication with all staff and stakeholders.
Promote and adhere to departmental policies and procedures.
Maintain confidentiality of department information.
Perform other related duties as required.