Probation Officer - Sr

Lancaster County•Lancaster, PA

19d

About The Position

This position administers criminal justice by supervising and enforcing 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 needed for each client. The position reports directly to a Supervisor in Adult Probation and Parole Services. The work includes regular offender interviews in office and field settings, coordination of treatment and support services, case documentation and assessment, responding to violations or subsequent offenses, and duties related to Megan’s Law and State DNA requirements. Work may involve non-traditional hours, surveillance, offender detention, and participation in group counseling during evening hours up until 9:00 p.m. Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree with coursework in psychology, social work, criminal justice, or a closely related field, and at least one year of probation/parole supervision experience or an acceptable combination of experience. Candidates must pass the listed background, clearance, evaluation, examination, and screening requirements. The position has potential exposure to Hepatitis B; training and voluntary vaccination are provided. Lancaster County Government provides equal employment opportunity.

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 an acceptable combination of experience providing the stated knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Knowledge of sexual offense and victimization dynamics, criminal and antisocial behavior, sexual-offender supervision and counseling methods, the containment model, and criminal justice statutes, rules, and regulations.
Knowledge of Global Positioning System (GPS) functions for supervision.
Ability to work effectively on sexuality-related issues, including interacting with sexual offenders who may use sexually explicit language.
Ability and willingness 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 relate to treatment, counseling, and rehabilitation of sexual offenders.
Effective communication with offenders, their associates, the Judiciary, coworkers, other agencies, and the public.
Ability to identify community resources dealing with issues affecting offenders.
Ability to plan, document, and carry out client treatment intervention strategies and maintain accurate, complete caseload records.
Ability to plan, organize, and manage time effectively.
Willingness and ability to attend group counseling with sexual offenders and contribute when appropriate, including evening hours up until 9:00 p.m.
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 allowing Lancaster County Human Resources to contact the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission for any separation records on file.
Provide own transportation to and from offenders’ homes, meetings, and other work-related appointments, and access those locations with reasonable accommodations.
Ability to examine and process sexually graphic and explicit materials; sit for periods of time; escort offenders; operate a computer or laptop; lift and move files up to 10 pounds; affect an arrest; and defend oneself from personal attack.

Responsibilities

Meet and interview offenders in office or field settings to review compliance, problems, progress in programs, and other relevant circumstances.
Interview family members, friends, associates, co-workers, treatment providers, and others to verify information.
Conduct 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 providers and the Office of Adult Probation and Parole, and develop short- and long-range plans and goals.
Complete required documentation for the agency and related agencies.
Review criminal, psychological or psychiatric, diagnostic, employment, and psychosocial records; prepare case histories and risk/need assessments.
Assist in locating and handling offenders in cases of parole violations or subsequent offenses.
Prepare case summaries and histories, including recommendations about 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 mandatory 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 at times up until 9:00 p.m.
Perform related work as required.