Probation Officer

Hendricks County Government•Danville, IN

About The Position

The Probation Officer provides supervision, case management, and monitoring for individuals under the authority of the Hendricks County Courts. Assignments may be in Adult Probation, Juvenile Probation, Adult or Juvenile Home Detention, Pretrial Supervision, or another program operated by the Hendricks County Probation Department. The role supports public safety, victim assistance, compliance with court orders, behavior change, and reduced recidivism through evidence-based practices, professional judgment, effective communication, and accurate documentation. The position requires broad knowledge, independent judgment, and the ability to apply evidence-based practices to individual situations. Work is complex and requires critical thinking, problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and sound decisions with limited direct supervision. The Probation Officer prioritizes work, manages caseload responsibilities, follows court and department expectations, adapts to changing circumstances, and interprets policies, laws, court orders, assessments, and case facts when making recommendations and supervision decisions. Work takes place in an office, in court, in the field, and at other locations as required. The role may involve contact with people who are upset, intoxicated, mentally ill, non-compliant, or potentially violent, and carries a risk of serious physical injury or death due to people, animals, field conditions, or other safety concerns. The employee must use sound judgment, follow safety protocols, and respond appropriately to unsafe situations. The position may also require on-call availability outside normal business hours, depending on assignment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university before employment.
Ability and willingness to obtain, maintain, and comply with certifications, training, and continuing education required for the assigned position.
Ability to pursue and obtain required certifications, including Probation Officer, IRAS, and IDACS certifications, CSAMS or Professional Status certification, and any other certifications required by the Indiana Office of Court Services, Indiana State Police, the Courts, or the Department.
Ability to learn, understand, and apply Indiana statutes, court orders, department policies, evidence-based practices, and supervision standards.
Ability to use required technology and case management systems, including Odyssey, SRS, INcite, Windows-based programs, and other department systems.
Strong communication, writing, critical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Professionalism, emotional intelligence, confidentiality, and ability to work effectively with clients, families, victims, court staff, attorneys, law enforcement, treatment providers, coworkers, and the public.
Ability to manage changing priorities, work independently, and safely respond to difficult, emotional, intoxicated, mentally ill, or potentially violent individuals.
Ability to prioritize work, manage caseload responsibilities, follow court and department expectations, and adjust to changing circumstances.
Ability to interpret policies, laws, court orders, assessment information, and case facts to make appropriate recommendations and supervision decisions.
Ability to maintain effective working relationships and communicate effectively in difficult, stressful, or sensitive situations.
Ability to use sound judgment, follow safety protocols, and respond appropriately to potentially unsafe situations.

Nice To Haves

Degree preferably in criminal justice, social sciences, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Assess risk, needs, behavior, compliance, and appropriate case responses using critical thinking and professional judgment.
Address barriers, respond to violations, support behavior change, and connect individuals with appropriate services or interventions.
Communicate clearly, respectfully, and professionally in person, by phone, in writing, in court, and electronically.
Prepare accurate, timely, and professional case notes, reports, court documents, recommendations, correspondence, and other required documentation.
Supervise individuals assigned to adult or juvenile probation caseloads or other department programs in accordance with court orders, laws, policies, and department expectations.
Monitor compliance with court orders and supervision conditions through appointments, field contacts, home visits, drug and alcohol testing, referrals, record checks, electronic monitoring, and other supervision activities.
Appear in court as needed to testify, provide recommendations, present case information, and assist the Court in making informed decisions.
Collaborate with courts, law enforcement, schools, treatment providers, families, victims, attorneys, and community agencies to support case management and public safety.
Use evidence-based practices, motivational interviewing, case planning, approved assessments, and appropriate interventions to promote positive behavior change and reduce recidivism.
Conduct criminal record checks and use required systems, including IDACS, Odyssey, SRS, INcite, IRAS, IYAS, and other department-approved platforms.
Maintain confidentiality, professionalism, integrity, and ethical conduct.
Follow applicable Indiana statutes, court orders, state requirements, certification standards, department policies, and procedure manuals.
Assist and cooperate with Hendricks County Courts, Home Detention, Work Release, other County departments, and outside agencies as needed.
Adapt to changing department needs, caseload assignments, program responsibilities, policies, procedures, and court expectations.
Demonstrate reliability, flexibility, and sound decision-making when assigned to positions that may require being on call outside normal business hours.
Assist with additional department needs, special assignments, and other duties as assigned.
Carry a handgun and qualify in compliance with Sheriff Department guidelines, as applicable.
Operate County vehicles in accordance with Indiana law.
Perform all other duties as assigned.