Probation Officer (Sex Offender Specialist): P&P District #2 Norfolk #P0294
About The Position
The Probation Officer (Sex Offender Specialist) supports the Virginia Department of Corrections’ public safety mission by supervising and monitoring adults placed on probation, parole, or post-release supervision. The role balances accountability with opportunity and uses evidence-based practices, communication skills, and professional judgment to promote pro-social behavior, reduce recidivism, and support successful community reintegration. The position requires knowledge of social casework and treatment methods, human behavior, report writing, information gathering, and presentation techniques. The officer counsels people, intervenes in crises, helps probationers develop and attain goals, and works with community resources to support rehabilitation and long-term success. The position is based at Norfolk P&P District #2.
Requirements
- Knowledge of social casework and treatment methods or therapies.
- Knowledge of personality types, human behavioral tendencies, and socio-economic group characteristics.
- Knowledge of grammar, composition, report writing, information gathering, and presentation techniques.
- Ability to counsel people and intervene in crises, and to assist probationers in developing and attaining goals.
- Ability to organize, summarize, and present information orally and in writing.
- Ability to manage time and prioritize work assignments to meet required time frames.
- Ability to gather, collate, and record information from personal interviews and written requests.
- Ability to interact positively with probationers, colleagues, supervisors, the public, and community resource personnel.
- Ability to execute and follow through on supervision plans and personal work assignments, and to give and receive guidance and instructions.
- Ability to process, analyze, and interpret written and oral information.
- Ability to initiate independent actions and carry out assignments with minimal supervision.
- Applicants selected as finalists are subject to a background investigation. Applicants for designated safety-sensitive positions are subject to pre-employment drug screening.
Nice To Haves
- Knowledge in rehabilitation counseling, psychology, sociology or social work, criminology, or English, with a minor in areas such as adult education, business administration (especially personnel management), or administration of justice and public safety.
Responsibilities
- Provide day-to-day supervision of adults under regular or intensive probation, parole, or post-release supervision and ensure compliance with conditions set by the Courts or Parole Board.
- Assess criminogenic and treatment needs using validated tools and develop individualized supervision and case plans that address risks and build strengths.
- Use evidence-based practices, including motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral techniques, to encourage positive change and accountability.
- Partner with treatment providers, employers, and community organizations to connect individuals with services and resources.
- Conduct home and community visits as appropriate to supervision plans and case needs.
- Prepare pre-sentence investigations, sentencing guidelines, and progress reports accurately and on time.
- Testify in court and provide professional sentencing recommendations.
- Monitor compliance and take appropriate corrective action, including recommending revocation when necessary to protect public safety.
- Counsel people and intervene in crises; assist probationers in developing and attaining goals.
- Gather, collate, and record information from personal interviews and written requests; organize, summarize, and present information orally and in writing.
- Execute supervision plans and personal work assignments, manage time and priorities, and follow through within required time frames.
- Interact positively with probationers, colleagues, supervisors, the public, and community resource personnel; give and receive guidance and instructions.
Benefits
- Participation in the Virginia Law Officers’ Retirement System (VaLORS), a defined benefit plan with enhanced retirement options for hazardous duty positions.
- Comprehensive training in evidence-based practices.
- Advancement opportunities across the Department.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
