Parole Officer Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree, typically in Social Services, or an eligible education-and-experience substitution of 3–5 years of progressive work experience in Adult Probation and Parole.
• Minimum-qualification experience: 0–2 years of progressive work experience, typically in Adult Probation and Parole, with acquired knowledge at the level of an Interstate Compact Specialist; education-and-experience substitution is 3–5 years of progressive work experience at that knowledge level.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with offenders and other professionals.
• Ability to serve as a positive, pro-social role model for offenders.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in highly stressful situations and analyze information from multiple sources.
• Ability to interpret risk/needs assessments and case-planning tools.
• Ability to engage others in innovative solutions, develop and implement new concepts, and motivate others.
• Ability to learn and use interviewing skills, including Motivational Interviewing.
• Skills in organization, time management, group facilitation, and problem-solving.
• Knowledge of the criminal justice system, department policies and procedures, human behavior, crisis behavior, substance use and addiction, criminal and legal law, criminal justice agency procedures, and cognitive behavior programs.
• Knowledge of computer software, Google, and Microsoft programs.
• Able to meet physical requirements that include lifting up to 20 pounds without assistance; constant walking; regular standing, talking/hearing, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, typing, and repetitive motion; and occasional striking or punching with both arms.
• Able to work around offenders and potentially be exposed to infectious diseases and periodic mechanical or atmospheric hazards.
• Must pass a background/reference check and drug test before appointment.
• Must complete defensive-tactic skills training in Krav-Maga. Employees will be directly exposed to oleoresin capsicum (pepper spray) during initial training and may be required to carry it.
• Must meet the department’s dress-code standards for facial hair, body art, and piercings/gauges.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Social Work, Counseling, Sociology, Psychology, Criminal Justice, or Administration of Justice.
• Progressive work experience in Probation and Parole.
• Experience in case-management practices, risk/needs assessments, cognitive-skills group facilitation, interpersonal communication strategies, investigations, report writing, or behavioral-change concepts.

Responsibilities

• Use and analyze validated risk and needs assessments to determine supervision levels and develop individual case plans.
• Collaborate with government and private entities to support case management and client behavior change.
• Identify motivators for change through motivational interviewing and other interviewing techniques.
• Use appropriate interventions, incentives, and sanctions to encourage desired behaviors.
• Facilitate cognitive intervention groups and other evidence-based cognitive interventions.
• Maintain supervision standards to promote public safety and support clients’ reintegration into the community.
• Document collaborative case-management efforts and collateral contacts in the case-management system.
• Visit clients in offices, homes, workplaces, and other locations to verify compliance and support positive behavior.
• Supervise a caseload of adult probationers and parolees, including misdemeanor and felony cases.
• Collaborate with the Prison Division on reentry plans for inmates nearing release.
• Prepare reports for the Parole Board, courts, and other stakeholders, including risk analyses and recommendations.
• Interview, evaluate, and investigate offenders’ backgrounds and criminal histories to determine risks and needs.
• Interview victims for presentence investigation reports concerning restitution and court recommendations, and contact victims for education and safety purposes during client supervision.
• Create a positive, collaborative, and trusting environment that supports long-term behavioral change.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Paid vacation, sick leave, FMLA, and holidays.
• Retirement pension and 457B plans.
• Flexible schedules and work-life balance options.
• Meaningful work supporting Wyoming communities.