Probation Officer I

City and County of Denver • Denver, CO

6d • $25 - $38 • Hybrid

About The Position

The City and County of Denver is seeking a Probation Officer I to work in a fast-paced environment monitoring compliance with court orders and providing customer service to individuals involved in the criminal justice system. The department promotes accountability and positive behavior change through a strengths-based and evidence-informed approach, utilizing effective assessments to identify probationers’ criminogenic risk, needs, and strengths. The Probation Officer I will complete intakes, conduct assessments, testify in court, file motions with the court, and conduct field work. This role involves managing a caseload, ensuring court requirements are met, motivating clients, and utilizing a continuum of sanctions and incentives. The position also includes conducting risk/needs assessments, interviewing clients, employing motivational interviewing, developing case plans, providing social services referrals, collaborating with stakeholders, preparing reports, and conducting field interactions. Additionally, Probation Officers may serve as a Probation Court Representative (PCR) and perform Officer of the Day duties. The role requires comfort working with diverse and marginalized populations and involves mostly office-based administrative work with opportunities for community engagement.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, Sociology, Human Services, Corrections, Criminal Justice or a related field
• None (experience requirement)
• One (1) year of the appropriate type and level of experience may be substituted for each required year of post-high school education
• Requires a valid Driver's License at the time of application.
• Possession of Impaired Driving Assessment (IDA) Certification from the State of Colorado by the completion of probation.
• Licenses and certifications must be kept current as a condition of employment.
• Demonstrate integrity, reliability, and accountability in your daily work.
• Learn quickly and apply training with accuracy and consistency.
• Prepare professional documentation using proper grammar, structure, and tone.
• Interpret and apply policies and procedures to both routine and complex cases.
• Communicate clearly and professionally, both in writing and conversation.
• Manage time effectively, stay organized, and meet deadlines in a high-volume setting.
• Maintain appropriate boundaries while working with clients who may have complex needs.
• Show compassion and patience while also being assertive and directive when needed.
• Collaborate effectively with clients, team members, and external stakeholders.
• Desire to build a long-term career and grow within the Probation Department.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply, fluency in speaking and reading Spanish can be useful in serving our diverse client population. While writing in Spanish is helpful, it is not required.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of clients under probation supervision, ensuring court requirements are met.
• Motivate and manage the client’s probation period using a continuum of sanctions and incentives.
• Conduct initial risk/needs assessments to assess criminogenic needs and risk severity.
• Interview clients to elicit information to determine client’s employment, economic, educational, social, criminal, and emotional history to make referrals as appropriate.
• Employ motivational interviewing to identify criminogenic needs, while addressing responsivity factors by utilizing trauma informed and culturally competent practices.
• Develop and implement a case plan with the client, with the goal of establishing pro-social behavior and repairing harm caused to the community and victim(s).
• Provide a variety of social services referrals and determines need for social, behavioral, medical, and/or psychological services.
• Provide guidance and crisis intervention; Monitor individual progress and level of engagement with services.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to review and interpret monitored sobriety results, in order to establish and implement treatment goals and plans.
• Prepare pre-sentence investigation reports, court motions, special reports, and probation reviews.
• Generate and serve probation revocation petitions.
• Testify in court by providing testimony and preparing comprehensive reports that allows the court to make findings that impact sentencing on revocation.
• Conduct field interaction to evaluate compliance with terms and conditions of probation, as well as any special orders from the court.
• Builds rapport with the client, community, and their support system, while assessing peer and family associations.
• Verify the client's address and determine if they are in need of assistance with food, shelter, clothing, childcare, or other necessities.
• Work in a court team and on a rotating basis, as a Probation Court Representative (PCR), which includes coordination of the revocation docket in the courtroom, gathering cases from peers, ensuring that documentation is accurate, and provide feedback to peers.
• Provide case information to involved legal parties.
• On a rotating basis, performs Officer of the Day duties according to department policies and procedures.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service
• 457B Retirement Plan
• 132 hours of PTO earned within first year
• 11 Paid Holidays per year, plus 1 personal holiday, and 8 hours of Denver Good Deeds volunteer time
• Education Refund Program (ERP)
• Care Bank – 8 weeks of Paid Family Leave (after the probation period is passed)
• Free RTD Eco Pass
• Competitive medical, dental and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level