Probation Officer II

City of Grand Rapids, MI•Grand Rapids, MI

33d

About The Position

Created by state law in 1968, the 61stDistrict Court has a high-volume caseload. The court has jurisdiction within the City of Grand Rapids, the second largest city in the state and the largest in Kent County. The 61stDistrict Court is comprised of six (6) elected judges, one (1) appointed attorney magistrate, and a dedicated support staff in the Clerk's Office and Probation Department.. The 61stDistrict Court Team is committed to providing excellent customer service to the public, and to ensuring the effective and impartial management of cases. JOB SUMMARY: This is a responsible professional caseworker, providing client services in the Probation Department of the District Court of the City of Grand Rapids. Work includes conducting presentence investigations or supervising the progress of individuals who have been accepted into and placed on probation. Work involves making responsible recommendations and reporting on the progress of clients. Work is performed with considerable independence under the general supervision of a higher-level probation official. Work is reviewed through conferences, reports, observation and analyses of results obtained. Work includes the supervision of operations of a unit within the probation Department. Work also includes reviewing all presentence reports and related recommendations. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Chief Probation Officer and is reviewed through conferences, reports, and analyses of appropriate recommendations.

Requirements

Graduation from a four year college or university with undergraduate work in criminal justice, psychology, sociology, or closely related field.
Two (2) years of experience in working with person convicted of felonies or misdemeanors or with persons with problems involving substance abuse.
Any equivalent combination of training and experience.
Officers performing substance abuse assessments must be Certified by the State of Michigan.
Officers performing assessments for mentally ill/developmentally disabled must by the State of Michigan as an M.S.W. or equivalent.
The principles and practices of probation work and of the related court procedures.
The various statues and ordinances which govern probation.
Theories of addictions and abuse and methods of treatment.
Community resources which may be used to supplement the probationer's rehabilitation plan.
Professional probation objectives.
Court procedures and policies, legal documents, laws, and other information pertaining to the district court and court procedures.
Analyze and evaluate investigative materials.
Identify and use available resources and services in connection with the client's rehabilitation plan.
Recommend and implement effective probation service methods.
Communicate effectively orally and and in writing.
Operate a photocopier, facsimile machine, printer and computer.
Develop, identify, recommend and implement more effective probation investigative methods.
Supervise subordinate clerical and professional probation personnel.
Work constructively within an agency and in community settings.
Work effectively with hostile clients.
Work under pressure and tight deadlines.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, service providers, other employees and the public.
Understand and follow oral and written instructions
Accept direction and supervision.

Responsibilities

Carries an assigned caseload of investigations.
Formulates plans of probation and presents written and oral recommendations.
Interviews clients, their families, victims, and interested individuals to determine the nature of the offense committed and the client's employment, financial, and family situation for sentencing recommendations.
Supervises cases involving probationers placed on probation by the Court.
Recommends termination or extension of probation.
Advises clients of available community resources and makes referrals as necessary.
Cooperates with representatives from various social welfare and law enforcement agencies in cases of mutual interest.
Monitors clients in specialized programs dealing with such matters as substance abuse, domestic violence, sex offenses, shoplifting and the like.
Confirms client's participation and attendance as part of terms and conditions of probation.
Refers clients and members or their families to organizations such as AA, Al-Anon, or other privately funded programs which can meet their needs.
Perform drug detection and PBT testing.
May facilitate groups for offenders.
Appears and gives testimony in court regarding probation violations and similar matters.
Composes and dictates petitions, correspondence, and case histories as required.
Maintains client records.
May coordinate the work of probation staff, volunteers and student interns.
May conduct substance screening interviews with clients using state approved testing methodologies.
Dictates reports.
Maintain program records according to state licensing requirements.
May work with victims and assailants in domestic assault or mentally ill/developmentally disabled cases.
Informs victims of their rights.
Interviews victims and assailants, make referrals to support services, witness management.
May initiate restraining orders.
Provides support for victims, provide short term counseling and/or group work, and make recommendations to the Court.
Assigns cases for investigation and balances the workload.
Reviews and approves time sheets, schedules employees for vacation and other time off.
Prepares and performs employee performance evaluations.
Conducts semi-annual case audits.
Provides reports on division workload at prescribed times or upon request.
Serves on various agency and community advisory boards and committees.
Performs other related work as assigned.
Answers the telephone.
Responds to requests for information on the phone and in person.
May initiate contact with litigants and defendants to verify information.
Receives documents in the mail or from the public, stamping with a date-time stamp.
May determine general case category.
May assist the public with form completion.
Obtains signatures on documents.
Affixes court seal to documents when required.
Performs case initiation for new criminal and civil cases.
Records information in the case management system and enters information on the Register of Actions.
Assembles documents in the case file in pre-established order.
Files cards, documents, and other records according to established filing procedures.
Retrieves files and provides information for staff, judges, attorneys, or the public upon request.
May process requests for record checks of individuals and certify copies of court records.
Operates a computer terminal to record receipt of case documents and other pertinent case information and in the case management system.
Performs other duties as assigned by the Chief Probation Officer, Court Administrator, or Chief Judge.