Probation Officer - Sr

County of Lancaster • Parole, PA

1d

About The Position

This position involves the administration of criminal justice, supervising individuals on the Hispanic culture caseload who are under probation or parole supervision. Work is accomplished through the assignment of a caseload of individuals for which the employee is responsible. As an appointed representative of the Court, this employee is responsible to provide legal accountability through enforcement, intervention, and redirection as required/needed by each client on probation/parole supervision.

Requirements

• Education requirement is completion of a bachelor’s degree program with course work in psychology, social work, criminal justice or closely related field; must have a working knowledge and understanding of Hispanic culture; must be fluent in Spanish and able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with members of the Hispanic community; or any combination of the minimum acceptable education and experience which has provided the knowledge, skills and abilities cited above.
• The candidate must pass a criminal background check, a pre-employment drug screen and a driver history check.
• In accordance with the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania’s Bilingual Employee Policy, the candidate must pass a language skills test at an Interagency Language Roundtable (ILR) scale of 2+ or higher.

Responsibilities

• Interview assigned Hispanic offenders, using Spanish language, in office, prison, home, and employment settings to determine compliance with supervision directives, problems encountered, progress in applicable programs, and any other particular circumstances. Interview offender’s family members, friends, associates, co-workers, and other knowledgeable individuals, using Spanish language, to verify information.
• Develop and implement intervention strategies necessary to reduce or eliminate offender’s criminal behavior. Determine the type and extent of counseling, treatment, rehabilitation, and other supports needed. Coordinate support and treatment services between Hispanic community-based service providers and the Office of Adult Probation and Parole. Develop and participate in short and long-range goals and plans including treatment services, supervision requirements, and support networks. This essential function requires both verbal and written communication in Spanish.
• Complete required documentation both within and for related agencies.
• Assist in locating and handling offenders in instances of parole violations and/or subsequent offenses. Prepare summaries of case records and history, including recommendations for continued and/or changes to treatment. Schedule actions and work required by terms of status, including court dates, hearing, and evaluations. Attend court appearances to provide requested information and secure documents.
• Review available records of past criminal history, psychological or psychiatric evaluations, diagnostic testing, employment, and related psycho-social information. Extrapolate and interpret data with regards to cultural distinctiveness and language barriers, as relates to Hispanic culture.
• Assess or re-assess overall risk and needs of offenders, using Spanish language, through use of LSI-R and evaluate for specific intervention/treatment needs. Identify behavior patterns and adaptive skills.
• Cooperate with other APPS programs, assisting in providing coverage when casework demands created by the absence of Spanish-speaking personnel create the need. This essential function requires both verbal and written communication in Spanish.
• Regularly attend mandatory and additional training in the areas of safety, self-defense, related human service areas, and for full/up-to-date proficiency in the use of computers, as required by job duties. Employee will learn arrest skills and become involved in offender detentions.
• Performs related work as required

Benefits

• The County of Lancaster offers comprehensive benefits to our employees.
• Lancaster County Government provides Equal Employment Opportunity for all persons regardless of race, religion, age, sex, national origin, genetic information or disability. The County also observes all applicable laws regarding Veterans status. The County reflects this action in all areas of employment and compensation practices and policies.
• Employment with the County is based upon the ability to perform the job as well as dependability and reliability once an individual is hired.

What This Job Offers

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