Probation Officer - Sr

County of Lancaster•Parole, PA

13d

About The Position

This position involves the administration of criminal justice, supervising and enforcing treatment requirements on individuals on the mental health/neurodevelopmental disorders caseload who are under probation or parole supervision. Work is accomplished through the assignment of a caseload of individuals for which the employee is responsible. The Probation Officer frequently works in partnership with a Mental Health or Intellectual Disabilities Case Manager/Supports Coordinator to accomplish these work assignments. As an appointed representative of the Court, this employee is responsible to provide legal accountability through enforcement, intervention, and redirection as required/needed by each client on probation/parole supervision.

Requirements

Candidate must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree with course work in psychology, social work, criminal justice or closely related field.
Must have a minimum of one year experience in the field of probation/parole supervision or mental health case management, or any combination of acceptable experience which has provided the knowledge, skills and abilities cited above.
Knowledge of characteristics of individual and group behavior, particularly that of individuals involved with criminal activities and/or anti-social behavior.
Knowledge of methods and techniques used in supervising and counseling adult offenders, including Evidence-Based Practices.
Experience working with individuals deagnosed with a mental illness or neurodevelopmental disorder, with knowledge of the symptoms and corresponding treatment, resources, and approaches.
Knowledge of the principles and policies of the criminal justice system, including statutes, rules, and regulations.
Ability and willingness to work with offenders, victims, counselors/therapists, law enforcement officials, mental health professionals, victim/witness advocates, the community, and the families of offenders.
Ability to learn the specific operations, practices, and procedures of probation and parole supervision, as it applies to treatment, counseling, and rehabilitation of offenders.
Ability to communicate effectively with offenders, their associates, members of the Judiciary, co-workers, representatives of other agencies, and the public.
Ability to identify and locate available community resources dealing with issues affecting offenders.
Ability to plan, document, and carry out all steps necessary to implement client treatment intervention strategies.
Ability to maintain accurate and complete caseload records for use by others.
Ability to plan, organize, and manage time with efficiency and effectiveness.
Proficiency in the use of, or willingness to learn, computers and software applications, as required by job duties.
The candidate must pass a background investigation as required by Act 57 of 2020, 44 Pa. C.S. § 7301 et seq., and regulated by 37 Pa. Code § 241.5; a Pennsylvania Child Abuse History clearance, psychological evaluation, pre-employment physical examination, credit check, driver history check, drug/alcohol screening.
Ability to sit, sometimes for long periods of time.
Ability to escort offenders from waiting area to office.
Ability to operate a computer or laptop.
Ability to lift and move files weighing up to 10 pounds.
Ability to effect an arrest of an offender.
Ability to defend oneself from personal attack.
Ability to provide own transportation to and from offender's homes, meetings, and other job-related appointments in a timely manner and ability to access those locations with reasonable accommodations.

Responsibilities

Meet regularly with, and interview, offenders in office or field settings to review: compliance with supervision directives, problems encountered, progress in applicable programs, and any other particular circumstances.
Interview offender’s family members, friends, associates, co-workers, treatment providers, and other knowledgeable individuals to verify information.
Develop and implement intervention strategies necessary to reduce or eliminate offender’s criminal behavior.
Determine the type and extent of counseling, treatment, rehabilitation, and other supports needed.
Coordinate support and treatment services between service providers and the Office of Adult Probation and Parole.
Develop and participate in short and long-range goals and plans including treatment services, supervision requirements, and support networks.
Assess or re-assess overall risk and needs of offenders through the use of the APPS assessment tool and evaluate for specific intervention/treatment needs. Identify behavior patterns and adaptive skills.
Complete required documentation both within and for related agencies.
Review available records of past criminal history, psychological or psychiatric evaluations, diagnostic testing, employment, and related psycho-social information.
Assist in locating and handling offenders in instances of parole violations and/or subsequent offenses.
Prepare summaries of case records and history, including recommendations for continued and/or changes to treatment.
Schedule actions and work required by terms of status, including court dates, hearing, and evaluations.
Attend court appearances to provide requested information and secure documents.
Regularly attend mandatory and additional training in the areas of counseling, skills, safety, self-defense, arrest tactics, related human service areas, and for full/up-to-date proficiency in the use of computers, as required by job duties.
Employee will learn arrest skills and become involved in offender detentions.