Probation Officer Supervisor

County of Lancaster•Parole, PA

10d

About The Position

The Probation Officer Supervisor oversees pre-sentence pretrial operations, including investigations, intake, supervision, compliance monitoring, DUI Repeat Offender Program duties, electronic and alcohol monitoring, and violation processing. The Supervisor ensures consistent application of pretrial procedures, staff performance, appropriate use of monitoring technology, timely Court reporting, and effective supervision of defendants released pending disposition. The position reports to the Special Supervision Division Director within Adult Probation and Parole Services, and five Pretrial Services Specialists report to the Supervisor. The Supervisor oversees staff and casework, including eligibility determinations, defendant screenings and interviews, caseload assignments and audits, monitoring equipment and alerts, home suitability assessments, violation documentation, Court hearing schedules, case records, statistics, and vendor invoices. The role also supports staff testimony and provides guidance on complex and higher-risk cases. The position helps develop and implement pretrial policies and monitoring protocols aligned with recognized best practices, evidence-based decision-making, and risk-informed supervision. It coordinates with courts, prison personnel, attorneys, law enforcement, treatment providers, monitoring vendors, and community organizations. The Supervisor also manages staff performance and development, participates in hiring and training, maintains staff proficiency, and provides unit coverage and administrative support as needed. A bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, criminal justice, or a closely related field and two years of experience in pretrial services, probation/parole, corrections, or a related field are required, or an acceptable combination of education and experience. Supervisory experience is preferred. Candidates must pass a criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and driver history check. The role involves office and field duties, including travel to defendants’ homes and other appointments, and may involve exposure to Hepatitis B. Training and voluntary vaccination are provided.

Requirements

Completion of a bachelor’s degree program with coursework in psychology, social work, criminal justice, or a closely related field.
Two years of experience in pretrial services, probation/parole, corrections, or a related field, or an acceptable combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Knowledge of individual and group behavior, particularly behavior associated with criminal activity or pretrial risk factors.
Knowledge of methods and techniques for supporting or redirecting individuals pending trial, including strategies to encourage compliance and reduce failure-to-appear risk.
Basic knowledge of criminal justice principles, statutes, rules, and procedures related to bail, pretrial release, Court requirements, and supervision conditions.
Ability to learn and apply pretrial supervision operations, including risk assessment, compliance monitoring, Court reporting, and resource coordination.
Effective communication with defendants, their families, the Judiciary, coworkers, partner agencies, and the public.
Ability to identify and coordinate community resources supporting pretrial defendants, including substance-use evaluations, mental-health services, housing stability, and transportation to Court.
Ability to plan, document, and carry out steps supporting compliance with Court-ordered conditions, including alcohol and drug testing, electronic monitoring, curfews, treatment requirements, and no-contact orders.
Thorough knowledge of supervisory practices and case-management principles.
Leadership skills and the ability to delegate, support teamwork, and work independently.
Ability to supervise unit staff effectively, providing guidance, direction, and corrective feedback.
Ability to maintain accurate and complete pretrial case records, monitoring reports, intake documents, petitions, and compliance logs.
Ability to plan, organize, and manage time efficiently and effectively.
Ability and willingness to work professionally and patiently with people from diverse backgrounds.
Proficiency in or willingness to learn software applications relevant to the job.
Must pass a criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and driver history check.
Ability to sit, sometimes for long periods; escort defendants from a waiting area to an office; operate a computer or laptop; lift and move files weighing up to 10 pounds; affect an arrest; and defend oneself from personal attack.
Must provide own transportation to and from offenders’ homes, meetings, and other job-related appointments in a timely manner and be able to access those locations with reasonable accommodations.

Nice To Haves

Supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

Oversee Pretrial Specialists and Senior Specialists, including eligibility determinations, DUI Repeat Offender Program supervision, electronic and alcohol monitoring, and supervision of defendants released pending trial.
Assign caseloads and conduct caseload audits to ensure consistent office visits, field contacts, home checks, curfew verification, employment and address checks, drug testing, and court-date confirmation.
Direct screenings and interviews of detained defendants, including DUI-related assessments, to determine eligibility for pretrial release.
Review and approve installation and documentation of house arrest, GPS, SCRAM, radio-frequency, and other monitoring equipment; establish breathalyzer and drug-testing baselines.
Review vendor invoices for equipment and services and approve them for payment.
Ensure daily review of monitoring alerts involving alcohol use, tampering, temperature variations, curfew violations, and loss of signal; oversee home suitability assessments for electronic monitoring.
Review and approve violation reports, petitions, and Court hearing schedules, and support staff testimony when required.
Guide staff on complex cases, including DUI repeat offenders and higher-risk defendants; ensure accurate case records, statistical reports, and committee submissions.
Assist in developing and implementing pretrial policies, procedures, and monitoring protocols, including DUI supervision protocols, in alignment with recognized best practices and evidence-based, risk-informed supervision.
Coordinate with courts, prison personnel, attorneys, law enforcement, treatment providers, monitoring vendors, and other partners to support communication and case progression.
Provide accurate pretrial and intake statistics and trends to the Prison Population Reduction Committee and monitor budget elements associated with pretrial services.
Approve leave requests; conduct formal performance evaluations; provide coaching, corrective action, and professional development; and participate in staff selection, hiring, and training.
Attend required safety, monitoring technology, motivational interviewing, and human-services training, and ensure staff proficiency in investigations, case-management systems, equipment, and DUI protocols.
Provide unit coverage during staff absences and support Adult Probation & Parole Services administration with departmental initiatives and, as operationally needed, duties historically performed by the Bail Administrator.
Coordinate with the Deputy Court Administrator – Criminal on bail and pretrial statistics, scheduling, and related matters.
Participate in an advisory or contributory capacity with inter-county, community, and state-level organizations and committees; assist APPS administration with departmental development as requested.
Perform related work as required.