Probation Officer

Cass County Minnesota•Walker, MN

3h•$36 - $48

About The Position

The Probation Officer supervises adults and juveniles placed on probation by the Court, conducts investigations, and applies correctional practices that support behavior change and public safety. The position also helps develop programs intended to prevent delinquency and crime and keep people from entering the criminal justice system. The officer performs administrative and casework duties for the probation department, including preparing timely court reports, maintaining records and statistics, implementing decisions made by the Court and department leadership, and monitoring compliance with applicable policies. The role involves supervision in community settings, risk assessments and investigations, case planning and enforcement, court representation, referrals, placement coordination for juveniles, and assistance connecting clients with employment, housing, education, and other services. The officer also works with families, schools, community members, foster and group homes, and criminal justice partners. The position has general peace officer powers with people placed on probation and provides 24-hour support to the County on matters concerning clientele. It requires ongoing professional development, including at least 50 hours of approved training per calendar year. The officer establishes a work schedule subject to approval by the Director and performs other duties as assigned.

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 the following experience qualifications: one year of progressively related experience; a full-time internship in a probation department 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 service setting.
Possess a valid driver’s license.
Extensive knowledge of criminal and juvenile law and modern probation department principles and practices.
Ability to become proficient in correctional practices that facilitate offender change.
Ability to work independently with little supervision and manage multiple cases and projects at once.
Interpersonal skills and ability to work with people, families, community members, and criminal justice partners.
Knowledge of and sensitivity to minority populations and cultures.
Proficient oral and written communication skills.
Ability to perform sedentary to light physical activities, including stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, handling, talking, hearing, and close vision; occasionally lift or move up to 35 pounds.

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 Department of Corrections, probation department, and county personnel policies.
Submit timely reports to the Court and maintain appropriate documentation of expenses, income, and statistical data.
Implement decisions made by the Court, Probation Director, and Department of Corrections.
Participate in professional training, committee work requested by the Probation Director, and staff meetings.
Supervise adults and juveniles on probation, including community contacts in accordance with supervision policy.
Complete pre-sentence investigations, pre-dispositional studies, social histories, and specified risk and needs assessments.
Meet Victim Rights Law requirements and facilitate collection of court-ordered restitution.
Serve as a referral source for juvenile delinquency and adult criminal cases before the Court.
Maintain client contact and related information in the CSTS software system and provide background information to the criminal justice system.
Develop case plans and enforce behavioral rules through appropriate and legal sanctions.
Arrange placements for juveniles as needed, screen placement cases for legal compliance, 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.
Represent the department in most delinquency hearings before the Court.
Help clients obtain employment, housing, education, and other services; provide local schools with information about resources, counseling, and the criminal justice system.
Enforce the requirements of the United States and Minnesota Constitutions; exercise general peace officer powers with people on probation.
Establish and supervise community service work sites.
Maintain an information network by meeting with community members and criminal justice personnel and gathering information for the Court.
Maintain current knowledge of correctional philosophies and evidence-based practices and complete at least 50 hours of approved training per calendar year.
Establish an office work schedule for Director approval that meets client needs and professional responsibilities.
Perform other duties as assigned.