KTIK Court Probation Officer

Golden Eagle Casino

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Kickapoo Tribal Court Probation Officer (PO) is a full-time position within the Judicial Branch of the Kickapoo Tribal Government, directly supervised by the Tribal Court Administrator (TCA). The PO conducts pretrial and post-conviction responsibilities, supervising criminal defendants to ensure compliance with release conditions and encouraging long-term positive change. This role involves fairly administering justice, providing effective investigative and supervision services, and protecting the community. In consultation with the Tribal Judge and TCA, the PO is responsible for creating, supporting, and maintaining a probation program consistent with the culture, practices, and values of the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas (KTIK).

Requirements

• Be familiar with civil and criminal jurisdiction within Indian Country.
• Be familiar with the history of the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas.
• Possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in one of the following academic fields: criminal justice; human services; native studies; psychology; social work; or a related field; or an associate's degree with at least 5 years of work experience in a Tribal court system.
• Hold a minimum of one year in work experience within a court system, social welfare agency, or correctional institution.
• Be a self-starter who is highly motivated, embodies integrity, and possesses a strong work ethic.
• Possess the ability to work independently as well as within a team environment maintaining positive and constructive working relationships with coworkers.
• Be available as needed to monitor all persons released on pretrial Bond conditions and participants in the Probation Program including individuals on electronic monitoring.
• Be available, with advance notice, on some weekends and evenings to attend tribal events and to hold community meetings related to the creation of Court programs and services.
• Have the ability to access and use multiple forms of electronic communication methods, have experience and knowledge about operating databases and record-keeping systems, be proficient in computer skills, and hold the ability to use the Microsoft Suite of programs.
• Have the ability and desire to understand, gain knowledge of, and appreciate the uniqueness of Tribal culture and customs.
• Understand the separation of powers within a tribal structure.
• Be drug free and able to pass a background check and drug screening.
• Hold and maintain a valid Kansas driver's license that is free of restrictions.
• Have no felony convictions, nor any criminal conviction involving violence, dishonesty or fraud.
• Possess the requisite knowledge to be successful in the role, specifically: Understand the basic principles of human behavior and applied psychology, including issues common to criminal behavior; advanced interviewing techniques; basic court and arrest procedures; basic research and investigative methods/procedures; principles and practices of written and oral communication; language mechanics, report writing and principles of written composition; and general computer operations.
• Have the ability to interview clients and obtain factual information in stressful situations; listen carefully during interviews to both content and presentation in order to identify questionable information; investigate, research and interpret information regarding a client’s criminal history, social and other background details; interpret and apply complex laws, policies, and procedures using considerable judgment; communicate effectively with a variety of people, both orally and in writing; effectively handle difficult situations; work well under pressure; develop and maintain good working relationships with a wide variety of people; utilize computers to retrieve and enter information.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working as a Probation Officer within a Native American Tribe/Tribal Community.
• Hold related experience of at least three to five years in a position within a Tribal Court.
• Have a master's degree, or other advanced degree, from an accredited college/university in criminal justice, social work, or a related field.
• Hold a valid license or certification in a behavioral science (LMSW, CADC, LPC, etc.).

Responsibilities

• Greet and engage all persons entering the Kickapoo Tribal Court with respect.
• Collaborate effectively and consistently with the Tribal Court Administrator, Tribal Judge, Tribal Prosecutor, Kickapoo Police Department personnel, employees from other KTIK Departments, and the Tribal Community to create a Probation Program rooted in traditional Kickapoo values for those who are justice-system involved so they can work toward positive changes and helpful contributions to the Kickapoo community.
• Determine the available local resources within the Kickapoo community and surrounding area for court-involved participants. Additionally, engage in consistent and ongoing outreach efforts to facilitate the identification or development of needed local resources to meet the needs of court-involved participants.
• Research available resources within other Native Nations, state and public agencies, and community-based service providers. Establish and cultivate partnerships with potential resources to increase the volume and accessibility of resources to court-involved participants of the Kickapoo Tribal Court.
• Create an operational infrastructure for implementation of the Probation Program.
• Monitor court-involved participants assigned by the Tribal Judge to the Probation Program, including persons released on pretrial bond conditions and those assigned electronic monitoring.
• Promptly report to the Tribal Court Administrator any person assigned for monitoring to the Probation Program for any bond or monitoring violations and prepare the necessary documentation to bring these violations to the Court’s attention.
• Administer and supervise any authorized testing to persons released on bond as conditions require or to persons in the Probation Program.
• Assist the Tribal Court Administrator and other court personnel in the Courtroom during court proceedings.
• Plan office activities, training events, and field visits in connection with investigative and supervision functions.
• Create and maintain accurate and up-to-date case records for every active case.
• Prepare and submit to the Tribal Court Administrator a monthly status report indicating the status of every active case.
• In collaboration with the Tribal Court Administrator, and other relevant KTIK Departments, monitor payment orders issued to criminal defendants such as orders for restitution, fines, court costs, child support payments, and other designated payments established by court order.
• Ensure compliance for every active participant in the Probation Program related to counseling or therapy, treatment programs, community service, payment of fines or penalties, and other probation-related activities.
• Assist the Pre-Trial Coordinator with presentence investigative reports for the Tribal Judge that include sentencing recommendations, family history, criminal record, prior court intervention, and other relevant information, including aggravating or mitigating factors.
• Meet with defendants on a consistent basis to engage in one-on-one conversations using approved motivational techniques to assess and monitor progress of court ordered requirements, determine and clarify problems, and engage in solution-focused discussions aimed at overcoming barriers and addressing issues, including the use of culturally appropriate and traditional methods.
• Testify in Court, when required, regarding assigned defendants and participants of the Probation Program.
• Represent the Tribal Court and other Court officials in meetings or events, when requested by the Tribal Judge or Tribal Court Administrator.
• Perform public relations activities such as addressing community groups, attending conferences, serving on task forces and committees, as directed by the Tribal Court Administrator or Tribal Judge.
• Engage in ongoing, collaborative meetings with other criminal justice system professionals at the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas.
• Provide Service of Process through Mail and Personal Service as requested or directed by the Tribal Court Judge.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Tribal Court Administrator.

Benefits

• The Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree