Probation Officer

Cass County•Walker, MN

23h

About The Position

Responsible for supervising adults and juveniles placed on probation by the Court and conducting investigations as required. The role uses correctional-based practices to support offender change and public safety, and assists with programs designed to prevent delinquency and crime and keep people out of the criminal justice system. The Probation Officer performs administrative and case-management duties, including submitting reports to the Court, maintaining case records and data, completing investigations and risk assessments, enforcing case plans and legal sanctions, and connecting clients with services. The position also coordinates placements for juveniles, represents the department in delinquency hearings, supports community service work, and works with the Court, criminal justice partners, schools, families, and community members. The role carries the general powers of a peace officer with people placed on probation and requires 24-hour support to the County regarding clientele. The employee must complete at least 50 hours of approved professional training each calendar year.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Corrections, Criminal Justice, Criminology, Counseling, Counseling Psychology, Education, Law, Law Enforcement, Psychology, Social Work, or a closely related field.
In addition to the degree, meet at least one of these experience qualifications: one year of progressively related experience; a full-time probation department internship lasting at least one semester, 10 weeks, or 400 hours; at least 400 hours of work or volunteer experience as a probation officer or corrections security caseworker; at least two years supervising offenders in prison or as a sentence-to-service crew leader; or at least six months of professional-level case management experience in a correctional or human services setting.
Valid driver’s license.
Extensive knowledge of criminal and juvenile law and modern probation department principles and practices.
Ability to become proficient in core correctional-based practices that facilitate offender change.
Ability to work independently with little supervision and manage multiple cases and projects.
Interpersonal skills and ability to work with people, families, community members, and criminal justice partners.
Knowledge of and sensitivity to minority populations and cultures.
Proficiency in oral and written communication.

Responsibilities

Assist with office administration and delivery of services and programs to staff, the Court, clients, and the community.
Assist in developing and enforcing departmental policies and procedures, and monitor compliance with applicable corrections, probation department, and County personnel policies.
Ensure timely Court reports and appropriate documentation of expenses, income, and statistical data.
Implement decisions made by the Court, Probation Director, and Department of Corrections.
Participate in professional training, requested committee work, and staff meetings.
Supervise adults and juveniles placed under supervision, including community contacts in accordance with department 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 assessments.
Fulfill Victim Rights Law requirements and facilitate collection of Court-ordered restitution.
Act as a referral source for juvenile delinquency and adult criminal cases before the Court.
Maintain client contact records and reasons for contact in the CSTS software system.
Provide the criminal justice system with background information on current and former clients.
Develop a behavior rules case plan for each assigned case and enforce it with appropriate and legal sanctions for violations.
Arrange placements for juveniles before the Court as needed and provide liaison support to County foster homes and group homes.
Provide 24-hour support to the County concerning clientele and respond to situations as they arise.
Screen cases considered for placement to ensure compliance with current law.
Represent the department in most delinquency hearings before the Court.
Assist clients in obtaining employment, housing, education, and other services.
Provide local schools with information about resources, counseling, and the criminal justice system.
Enforce requirements of the United States and Minnesota Constitutions.
Establish and supervise community service work sites.
Meet with community members and criminal justice personnel to maintain an information network and gather information for the Court.
Maintain current knowledge of correctional philosophies and evidence-based practices.
Complete at least 50 hours of approved training per calendar year.
Establish an office work schedule for approval by the Director that meets client needs and professional responsibilities.
Perform other duties as assigned.