Probation - Probation Officer

Puyallup Tribe of Indians•Tacoma, WA

About The Position

Under the general supervision of the Probation Director and/or Lead Probation Officer. Probation Officers assist in the administration of justice and promotes community safety. This position works with offenders, both adult and juvenile, throughout their judiciary period to ensure they follow the terms and complete their program. They also, encourage the rehabilitation of individuals under their supervision by monitoring compliance with imposed conditions of supervision.

Requirements

HS Diploma or GED required.
Bachelor’s Degree in criminal justice, social work or related field and two-years’ experience in the criminal justice or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience working directly with defendants.
May have an equivalent combination of education and experience providing the above knowledge, skills, and abilities are demonstrated.
Must have knowledge and experience in the Tribal Court system with experience and knowledge of a Court software system.
Intermediate computer skills in Microsoft Word and Excel.
Must be willing to attend appropriate educational training program(s) to enhance skill, knowledge, and abilities.
Must be able to work under pressure with short deadlines while maintaining a positive and professional demeanor.
Must exercise discretion and sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and foster high ethical standards.
Must be able to interact and communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Must be able to think through, analyze, and interpret written communications.
Must have strong organizational skills and be detail oriented.
Employee must demonstrate the ability to interact tactfully and positively with confrontational people and situations, Tribal members, all levels of staff and management.
Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
Ability to read, analyze and interpret common professional journals, financial reports, and legal documents.
Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from staff and regulatory agencies.
Ability to write reports and business correspondence.
Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions and perform counseling, court testimony and report preparation.
Ability to effectively present information to management, employees and groups of people.
Ability to communicate effectively with people of varying backgrounds, education levels, and temperaments.
Ability to perform verbal de-escalation techniques.
Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Ability to discuss sensitive topics in a sensitive and tactful manner; such as sexual abuse, domestic violence, sex offenses, and mental health disorders.
Must have and maintain a valid and unrestricted Washington State driver’s license and proof of insurance.
Driver’s License must not contain any restrictions that would otherwise prevent an employee from complying with the Tribe’s Vehicle Use Policy.
Must be willing to attend and participate in appropriate educational training program(s) to enhance skill, knowledge and abilities.
Must attend and successfully complete Tribal Probation Academy will be required to be completed within one-year after hire or have proof of completion of a related criminal justice academy from a recent former position.
Successful completion of department case management software, training required to be completed within two-year of hire.
Must qualify and be certified to be able to access information from National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS is a division of FBI) had obtain a level II certification.
Must pass a criminal background check prior to and periodically throughout employment.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of Tribal, federal, local, state and private program resources and agencies preferred.
Knowledge of case management and basic interviewing, diagnostic and counseling techniques, social work and corrections, desirable.

Responsibilities

Develops and maintains general probation services manual and assists in updating Puyallup Tribal Codes. Works in cooperation with a multitude of Puyallup Tribal departments, entities and services, as well as outside jurisdictions, legal professionals, service providers, and schools.
Receives, screens, and conducts preliminary investigations on adult and juvenile cases referred by the Court and/or Prosecutors’ Offices, prepares comprehensive written reports to the Court, which include, but are not limited to victim impact statements, multi-jurisdictional criminal histories, substance use histories, work histories, mental health histories, medical histories, service histories, criminal justice histories, when applicable.
Monitors clients in the community, investigates and reports on employment, living circumstances, social networks, aptitudes, interests, abilities, and thinking patterns.
Mentors, guides, refers, encourages, and supervises juveniles and adults placed on probation, pre-trial, deferred supervision by the court; supervises juveniles in the Youth Diversion Program and CINOS matters; and works with clients, families, schools, and other service providers to create home, school, work, and recreational relationships for social readjustment while maintaining confidentiality. Mentors, guides, refers, and encourages all clients as needed with skills, training, education, referrals, and employment, vocational education and social adjustment, to help them successfully complete their conditions of supervision and reduce the risk of recidivism.
Researches, writes, and provides written recommendations to the Puyallup Tribal Court and/or Prosecutor for case specific, relevant, detailed, and culturally mindful supervision alternatives and/or rehabilitation, treatment, support plans based upon evidence-based protocols to reduce recidivism and including current/past rehabilitation, treatment, support plans as available. Compiles up to date relevant information for community service, assessments, groups, and other services. Notifies the Court of compliance level through verified and comprehensive written reports and/or affidavits to the Puyallup Tribal Court and/or Prosecutor.
Monitors and supports compliance with all the conditions, court orders, written agreements, and/or rehabilitation/treatment/support plans that pertain to supervision of the client.
Writes Motions to Show Cause and/or violation of Probation Reports, testifies in Court, appears in Court to provide updates on clients’ behavior and compliance, makes recommendations for disposition of violations, implements alternatives, recommends sanctions, and provides Court with written documentation when necessary. Assists Puyallup Tribal Police when executing warrants for clients; if called by dispatch when officers need assistance with a probationer. Requests and interprets current NCIC reports for clients. Writes detailed reports using the information gathered from these reports. Communicates, works with, assists, coordinates, and interprets data from outside jurisdictions and service providers; such as, Washington State Department of Corrections, Pierce County Juvenile Court, Juvenile Rehabilitation of Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families regarding clients within multiple jurisdictions; and cooperates with other jurisdictions on violations of probation and/or parole. Meets with Chief Leschi Schools and local school district officials as necessary to inform them of probation, Youth Diversion, pre-trial, deferred, and CINOS conditions of students and to visit clients at school and obtain attendance records, behavior reports, and report card information. Assists Chief Leschi Schools and other local school districts with arrangement for alternative educational programs for juveniles who are not able to function in regular school programs, monitors and reports progress. Maintains confidentiality throughout all juvenile cases. Requests, collects, observes, tests, and secures urine samples and/or breath tests using alco-sensor test machine and performs drug and alcohol recognition (DAR) assessment techniques to ascertain if a probationer is using substances or consuming alcohol. Follows established procedures, protocols, and chain of custody. Interprets and accurately reports test results. Testifies in court as to factual findings and guideline applications.
Make written referrals to treatment providers and fax copies of the judgment and sentencing order and releases of information on each client referred for services. Provides referrals to assigned juveniles and adults placed on supervision, provides access to family counseling, and works with clients and parents to create home, school, work and recreational relationships for social readjustment. Maintains frequent contact and correspondence with court, community agencies, and probationers, to monitor probationer’s compliance with the court order, attends/manages/leads cohesive case conferences to ensure fluidity of case planning and compliance with conditions, and maintains an accurate log of all contacts relative to each case by inputting data into the department case management software.
Maintains and inputs accurate data into the department case management software based on all assigned clients, those agreeing to a deferred prosecution, and those discharged from probation supervision, gathering information as needed for risk assessment standards and compliance with grant objectives. Prepares statistical information as needed regarding the clients serviced by the probation department. Initiate contact and maintain the Tribe’s best interest when meeting with State, County, Tribal and Federal agencies. Administers complex and specialized assessments/screenings to determine criminogenic needs of clients.
Interprets assessments and screening to determine evidence-based service/treatment/rehabilitation/case plans. Writes written reports to provide information to necessary service providers, court, attorneys, and clients. Guides clients and families of clients in the maneuvering of multiple departments, jurisdictions, programs, and service providers. Performs pat downs and searches of clients, people, and property for the safety and security of probation staff, as allowed by Puyallup Tribal Code, policies, procedures, and/or as ordered. Transports clients, as allowed by Puyallup Tribal Code, policies, procedures, and/or as ordered. Securely detains clients, as allowed by Puyallup Tribal Code, policies, procedures, and/or as ordered. Works with electronic monitoring services to install, manage, interpret, and create reports as to the compliance level of clients on the varying electronic monitoring programs.
Interprets data from electronic monitoring devices/companies/programs and writes comprehensive reports. Performs on-call and/or after-hours work, as needed for client emergencies. Emergencies such as, arrest, electronic monitoring removal, emergencies related to mental health, and emergencies related to substance use. Covers cases in a knowledgeable and effective a manner for co-workers, when applicable. Performs other duties as assigned.