Probation Officer Adult-Juvenile

Hamilton County, Indiana•Cumberland, MD

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Probation Officer serves the Hamilton County Probation Department, supervising and assisting adult and juvenile probationers and CARE clients. The position conducts investigations, prepares reports and other documents, provides information and testimony to the court, and supports court decisions related to sentencing and pretrial or pre-adjudication release. It monitors clients’ compliance with court-ordered conditions, coordinates treatment and community services, and applies evidence-based probation practices. The role maintains accurate case files, monitors fees and fines, coordinates supervision across jurisdictions, and stays current with relevant laws, practices, and training requirements. The position is full-time, non-exempt, and scheduled for 37.5 hours per week, with a schedule that varies. Most duties are performed in an office, with additional work in courtrooms, probationers’ homes and activity sites, and a vehicle. The officer may encounter hostile individuals, occasionally work extended or evening hours, travel out of town for hearings, conferences, or training, and serve on a rotating 24-hour emergency-call schedule.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, psychology, social work, or a related area.
Indiana certification as a probation officer.
Ability to complete annual continuing education requirements and certification for IRAS, IYAS, and/or CSAMS.
Working knowledge of and ability to apply local, state, and federal regulations, standard policies and procedures, and legal terminology of the criminal and juvenile justice systems.
Working knowledge of and ability to apply current developments, theories, and trends in probationer behavior and supervision.
Effective oral and written communication with coworkers, county departments, attorneys, judges, probation departments, law enforcement, service providers, victims, probationers, and their families; sensitivity to professional ethics, gender and cultural diversity, and disabilities.
Ability to maintain organized, accurate files and prepare documents and detailed reports.
Ability to operate office equipment, including a telephone, copier, computer, printer, calculator, and fax machine.
Ability to testify in legal proceedings and plan and deliver public-speaking presentations.
Ability to provide public access to department information or maintain its confidentiality according to state requirements.
Ability to manage multiple tasks and work effectively amid frequent distractions and interruptions.
Ability to work independently and in a team with minimum supervision, while maintaining respectful working relationships.
Ability to understand and follow written and oral instructions and respond appropriately to constructive criticism.
Ability to serve the public with diplomacy and respect, including in occasional encounters with irate or hostile people.
Ability to comply with employer and department personnel policies and work rules, including attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct requirements.
Ability to occasionally work extended or evening hours and travel out of town, sometimes overnight, for hearings, conferences, or training.
Valid Indiana driver’s license and demonstrated safe driving record.

Responsibilities

Conduct pre-sentence and preliminary investigations, including researching criminal histories, interviewing people, gathering collateral information, advising victims of their rights, and obtaining victim impact statements.
Prepare documents and detailed reports for department staff, the court, and other criminal justice stakeholders; communicate professionally and ensure information and testimony are accurate.
Testify in court, make recommendations including those concerning sentencing, report probation violations to the court, and assist with pretrial and pre-adjudication release decisions.
Assess and support clients; review and track compliance with court-ordered conditions and appointments; coordinate with treatment providers; visit probationers’ homes, schools, and service providers; and help clients obtain community services.
Administer substance abuse evaluations and drug screens.
Apply and document evidence-based practices, including actuarial risk assessments, E.P.I.C.S., case planning, incentives, and sanctions for moderate- to high-risk probationers.
Attend training and expand knowledge of effective probation practices, including problem-solving court topics.
Maintain accurate case files, classify clients by risk, document client attitude, behavior, and compliance, enter information into the case management system, and regularly review caseloads for file accuracy.
Monitor probationer fees and fines.
Assist with transferring and accepting supervision across jurisdictions and cooperate with other probation departments and agencies on investigations.
Maintain knowledge of applicable local, state, and federal rules and regulations and developments in probation, technology, and substance abuse trends; complete annual training requirements on time.
Serve on a rotating 24-hour emergency-call schedule.
Perform related duties as assigned.