Probation Officer - Sr

County of Lancaster•Parole, PA

18d

About The Position

This position administers criminal justice and supervises and enforces treatment requirements for individuals on the sexual offender caseload who are under probation or parole supervision. The employee manages an assigned caseload and, as an appointed representative of the Court, provides legal accountability through enforcement, intervention, and redirection as required by each individual’s circumstances. The position reports directly to a Supervisor in Adult Probation and Parole Services. The work includes meeting with and interviewing offenders in office and field settings; consulting with people who know the offender; assessing compliance, needs, and progress; coordinating treatment and support services; maintaining case documentation; and preparing case histories, assessments, and recommendations. The officer may work non-traditional hours, attend group counseling with sexual offenders in the evening up until 9:00 p.m., conduct surveillance, assist with parole violations and subsequent offenses, attend court appearances, and participate in offender detentions. Duties also include work related to Megan’s Law and State DNA requirements, and mandated reporting of suspected child abuse. Candidates must pass the required background investigation and clearances, psychological evaluation, pre-employment physical examination, credit and driver history checks, and drug/alcohol screening. The role may involve exposure to sexually explicit materials and Hepatitis B; training and voluntary vaccination are provided. Physical duties include escorting offenders, lifting files up to 10 pounds, arresting offenders, and defending oneself from personal attack. Employees must provide their own transportation to job-related appointments and locations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree with coursework in psychology, social work, criminal justice, or a closely related field.
At least one year of experience in probation/parole supervision, or a combination of acceptable experience providing the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Knowledge of sexual-offense dynamics and victimization, including their relevance to supervision, treatment, and community protection.
Knowledge of individual and group behavior, particularly criminal activity and antisocial behavior.
Knowledge of methods and techniques for supervising and counseling adult sexual offenders, including the containment model for community supervision.
Knowledge of criminal justice system principles and policies, including statutes, rules, and regulations.
Knowledge of GPS functions for supervision.
Ability to work with issues of sexuality, including comfort with one’s own sexuality and capacity to interact with offenders who may use sexually explicit language.
Willingness and ability to work with sexual offenders, victims, counselors and therapists, law enforcement, child protective caseworkers, mental health professionals, victim/witness advocates, the community, and offenders’ families.
Ability to learn probation and parole supervision operations, practices, and procedures as they apply to treatment, counseling, and rehabilitation of sexual offenders.
Effective communication with offenders, associates, members of the Judiciary, co-workers, other agencies, and the public.
Ability to identify and locate community resources relevant to offenders’ needs.
Ability to plan, document, and implement client treatment intervention strategies and maintain accurate, complete caseload records.
Ability to plan, organize, and manage time effectively.
Proficiency with computers and software applications, or willingness to learn them.
Pass the required background investigation under Act 57 of 2020 and applicable regulations, Pennsylvania Child Abuse History clearance, psychological evaluation, pre-employment physical examination, credit check, driver history check, and drug/alcohol screening.
Sign a waiver permitting Lancaster County Human Resources to contact the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission for any separation records on file.
Ability to examine and process sexually graphic and explicit materials; sit for sometimes long periods; escort offenders; operate a computer or laptop; lift and move files weighing up to 10 pounds; affect an offender’s arrest; defend oneself from personal attack; and provide own transportation to job-related appointments and locations.

Responsibilities

Meet and interview offenders in office or field settings to review compliance with supervision directives, problems, progress in programs, and other circumstances.
Interview offenders’ family members, friends, associates, co-workers, treatment providers, and other knowledgeable individuals to verify information.
Use surveillance when necessary to confirm an offender’s residence and compliance with supervision conditions.
Develop and implement interventions to reduce or eliminate criminal behavior; determine counseling, treatment, rehabilitation, and support needs.
Coordinate support and treatment services between service providers and the Office of Adult Probation and Parole.
Develop and participate in short- and long-range goals and plans involving treatment services, supervision requirements, and support networks.
Complete required documentation for the agency and related agencies.
Review criminal history, psychological or psychiatric evaluations, diagnostic testing, employment, and related psychosocial information; complete case histories and risk/need assessments.
Assist in locating and handling offenders in cases involving parole violations or subsequent offenses.
Prepare case record and history summaries, including recommendations for continued or changed treatment.
Schedule actions required by supervision status, including court dates, hearings, and evaluations; attend court appearances to provide information and obtain documents.
Attend required and additional training in counseling, skills, safety, self-defense, arrest tactics, human services, and computer use; learn arrest skills and participate in offender detentions.
Perform duties related to Megan’s Law and State DNA requirements.
Initiate, cooperate with, and participate in actions required of a mandated reporter of suspected child abuse.
Attend group counseling with sexual offenders and contribute when appropriate, including during evening hours up until 9:00 p.m.
Perform related work as required.