Probation Officer

Cass County • Walker, MN

14h • Hybrid

About The Position

Responsible for providing supervision of people placed on probation by the Court. Complete investigations on adult and juvenile offenders as required. Become proficient in core correctional-based practices that facilitate offender change while promoting public safety. Assist in the development of programs that prevent delinquency and crime, and focus on keeping people from entering the criminal justice system.

Requirements

• Extensive knowledge of criminal and juvenile law, along with the modern principles and practices of a probation department (correctional field services delivery).
• Proficiency in core correctional-based practices that facilitate offender change.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision and on multiple cases and projects at one time.
• Interpersonal skills with the ability to work with people, families, community members, and criminal justice partners.
• Knowledgeable of and sensitive to minority populations and cultures.
• Proficient both orally and in writing.
• A Bachelor’s degree in Corrections, Criminal Justice, Criminology, Counseling, Counseling Psychology, Education, Law, Law Enforcement, Psychology Social Work, or a closely related field.
• One year of progressively related experience OR completed a full-time internship (minimum duration of one semester or 10 weeks or 400 hours) in a probation department OR a minimum of 400 hours of work or volunteer experience as a probation officer or corrections security caseworker OR a minimum of two years of experience supervising offenders in prison or a sentence to service crew leader OR a minimum of six months of professional-level experience in case management in a correctional or human service setting.
• Valid driver’s license.
• The selection process may include screening the top candidate(s) on their criminal history.

Nice To Haves

• Become proficient in core correctional-based practices that facilitate offender change.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the administrative functions of the office to ensure delivery of services and programs to staff, Court, clients, and the community.
• Assist in the development/enforcement of departmental policies and procedures.
• Assure timely reports are submitted to the Court.
• Monitor departmental compliance with policies as they pertain to the Department of Corrections, Cass County Probation Department, and Cass County Personnel Policies.
• Assure appropriate documentation of expenses, incomes, and statistical data.
• Implement decisions finalized by the Court, Probation Director, and the Department of Corrections.
• Participate in professional training and committee work requested by the Probation Director.
• Participate in staff meetings.
• Supervise juveniles and adults who have been placed under supervision, to include contact in the community environment, as outlined by our supervision policy.
• Complete Pre-Sentence Investigations, Pre-Dispositional Studies, Social Histories; Youth Level of Service Inventory (YLS), Dynamic Risk Assessment (DRA), and Level of Service Inventory-Case Management Inventory (LS-CMI) Risk Assessment.
• Complete the requirements of the Victim Rights Law and facilitate the collection of restitution as ordered by the Court.
• Act as a referral source for all juvenile delinquency and adult criminal cases before the Court.
• Maintain data in the current CSTS software system by documenting client contacts and the reasons for each contact.
• Provide background information to the criminal justice system on present and past clients.
• Develop a set of behavior rules (case plan) for each case assigned to the department and enforce those rules with appropriate and legal sanctions for violations.
• Secure placement for all juveniles before the Court as needed, i.e., foster home, group home, and treatment institutions.
• Provide liaison support to foster homes and group homes within the County.
• Provide 24-hour support to the County on all matters concerning clientele and be prepared to respond as situations present.
• Screen all cases considered for placement to be sure the requirements of current law are being met.
• Represent the department in most delinquency hearings before the Court.
• Assist clients in acquiring employment, housing, educational services, etc.
• Be a resource to local schools in providing information on resources, counseling, and the criminal justice system.
• Enforce all requirements of the Constitution of the United States and the State of Minnesota.
• Establish and supervise job sites for community service work.
• Meet with community members and other criminal justice personnel as necessary to maintain an information network to collect information for the Court.
• Maintain a comprehensive and contemporary knowledge of correctional philosophies and the use of evidence-based practices.
• Acquire a minimum of 50 hours of approved training per calendar year for professional development.
• Establish an office work schedule to be approved by the Director that meets the needs of our clients and professional responsibility in the county.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Cass County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
• In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

What This Job Offers

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