What are the responsibilities and job description for the Juvenile Probation Officer I position at Franklin County, PA?
Are you a motivated, positive, service-driven individual? If so, we need to talk. We are looking for someone who will investigate, advise, and counsel individuals on probation or parole to foster their personal, social, and economic adjustment in the community. We want a self-starter who wants to make a difference and give back to their community. If that is you, contact us today!
Franklin County is a great place to live and work! Nestled between the Blue Ridge and Tuscarora mountains in South Central Pennsylvania but not far from DC, Baltimore and the beaches of the mid-Atlantic, Franklin County is one of the fastest growing counties in the Commonwealth. We want the best people working to serve the 155,000 residents that call this beautiful area "home."
Bachelor’s degree in social or behavioral sciences, criminal justice, law enforcement or related field. Must complete 40 hours of in-service training per year which will include all training essential to the current use of force policy. 1 year of human services related experience preferred.
FRANKLIN COUNTY
PROBATION OFFICER I
Position Description Non-Exempt
OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF JOB
An employee in this class investigates, advises, and counsels individuals on probation or parole to foster their personal, social, and economic adjustment in the community. Work involves the counseling and supervision of individuals on probation or parole, completion of pre-sentence investigation reports, and investigation of pre-parole plans. Work includes a wide variety of contacts with agencies, employers, friends, and families in securing information regarding probationers and parolees, and assisting in developing useful and effective rehabilitation plans. There is an element of physical danger in working with probation and parole violators. Although the work is regulated by law and well-defined procedures, the employee is required in emergencies to make decisions directly affecting the public safety and the personal liberties of individuals. Work is reviewed in progress through observing the employee in action, through conferences, and upon completion, through the review of reports and recommendations.
An employee in this category shall serve a one year probationary period during which time they will be closely monitored as to their ability to learn the essential functions of the job and obtain the required knowledge skills and abilities to efficiently carry out their official duties.
The primary objective of probation/parole supervision is the protection of the community by returning offenders to a secure, law-abiding status in the community.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF JOB
- Supervises probationers and parolees, investigating their activities to ascertain whether or not they are violating probation or parole regulations, and providing counseling and other services to help them in their personal, social, and economic adjustment in the community.
- Conducts social case histories, intake interviews and pre-sentence investigations of offenders, interviewing offender, victim, police, family, employer, associates, and other individuals with knowledge of the offender.
- Prepares reports on the outcome of investigations, analyzing information gathered and recommending appropriate rehabilitative action to court.
- Maintains contact with families, friends, employers, clergy, and other persons concerned with aiding clients in their adjustment to the community.
- Collects urine samples and conducts drug tests, observing universal precautions; completes associated forms and reports as appropriate.
- Enforces Court Orders and makes or assists in making arrests (planned and unplanned) and monitors offenders compliance with court ordered stipulations as well as general rules. The use of force, including lethal force, may be required in these situations.
- Assists in the collections of fines, costs, and restitution, as necessary.
- Appears and testifies as an expert witness at court hearings and prepares reports for the courts as needed.
- Documents violations in accordance with published procedure; testifies before hearing officers and courts to establish violations and provides testimony in new criminal cases.
- Serves bench warrants; writes court orders as needed.
- Conducts research on whereabouts of missing probationers/parolees and locates them as quickly as possible.
- Sets up treatment plans for sentenced inmates as requested.
- Prepares and secures out-of-home placements for juvenile offenders, makes contacts with organizations and institutions and supervises juveniles placed in those institutions.
- Maintains day notes on probationers and prepares reports as required.
- Utilizes equipment such as 2-way radios, phones, computer, as well as drug testing equipment, handcuffs, shackles, breathalyzers, batons, bullet- proof vests, OCAT spray, Electronic Monitoring Equipment, and firearms.
- Conducts evaluations regarding CRN/DUIs as requested.
- Assists other law enforcement agencies in special operations expected to affect persons under supervision.
- Conduct searches of clients, their residences, and their property, as appropriate under poor working conditions such as extreme variations of heat, cold, noise, fumes, dirt, or any other obnoxious element.
- Attends staff meetings, staff development programs, and professional seminars and conferences.
OTHER DUTIES OF JOB
- Interacts with internal departments and outside agencies, physicians, schools, insurances, police departments, District Magistrates, etc. in regard to supervision of clients.
- Assists in transporting of clients to appropriate placements.
- Participates in on-going staff training and probation and parole techniques.
- Acts as a community resource contact as needed.
- Performs other job-related duties as required.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Receives occasional instruction and some supervision from Chief, Deputy Chief, Supervisor, in regarding to daily work duties.
SUPERVISION GIVEN
None
WORKING CONDITIONS
- Works indoors in crowded work space with adequate lighting and ventilation, but with fluctuations in temperatures.
- Works with average indoor exposure to noise, but subject to frequent disruptions and an above average degree of stress.
- Above average indoor exposure to dust/dirt.
- Periodically works different shifts or works on call as needed.
- Works daily with volatile and potentially hostile or aggressive offenders and situations.
- Travels frequently when necessary to perform in home visits or to transport offenders.
- Works with substance abusing offenders on a regular basis.
- Work with mental disordered and developmentally disabled offenders.
- Conduct home and field visits in certain high risk areas of the community.
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
- Must be able to sit for long periods throughout the work day, with occasional pushing, pulling, standing, walking, twisting, driving, reaching as necessary to carry out essential job functions.
- Requires coordinated dexterity of fingers/hands; feet/legs; torso as necessary to carry out essential work duties.
- Sedentary work, with occasional lifting/carrying of objects with a maximum weight of fifty to seventy-five pounds.
- Must demonstrate emotional stability.
- Must be able to cope with the physical and mental stress of the position.
- Must be able to physically and mentally react quickly in the event of a disturbance or physical outbreak.
- Must be able to pay close attention to details and concentrate on work.
- Must be able to mentally react quickly to offenders needs during supervisory sessions.
- Must be able to work with clients who carry or who may carry the active hepatitis, HIV or other infectious diseases.
- Must be able to understand and carry out complex oral and written instructions.
- Must be able to work to close detail, inside and afield, with irregular hours and environment.
- Must possess the ability to restrain uncontrollable clients and to make arrests when necessary.
QUALIFICATIONS
A. EDUCATION/TRAINING
Bachelors degree in social or behavioral sciences, criminal justice, law enforcement or related field. Must complete 40 hours of in-service training per year which will include all training essential to the current use of force policy.
B. WORK EXPERIENCE
1 year of human services related experience preferred.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED
- Must be able to speak and understand the English language in an understandable manner in order to carry out the essential functions of the job.
- Must possess good communication and interpersonal skills, so as to communicate with persons of divergent culture and education attainment.
- Must possess initiative and problem solving skills, so as to communicate with persons of divergent culture and education attainment.
- Must possess the ability to function independently, have flexibility and the ability to work effectively with clients, co-workers and others.
- Must possess the ability to maintain confidentiality in regard to client information and
- records.
- Must possess a willingness to travel as needed to perform functions of job.
- Must possess some knowledge of basis principles and practices of social case work and the court systems.
- Must possess some knowledge of criminology and penology.
- Must possess the ability to work effectively with disturbed individuals in an authoritative manner.
- Must possess the technical knowledge of operating typewriters and personal computers and other office equipment and to prepare related reports as required.
- Must possess knowledge and ability to utilize 2-way radios, handcuffs, shackles, breathalyzers, drug-testing equipment, batons, OCAT spray, electronic monitoring equipment, and firearms in a proper and safe manner.
- Must have some knowledge of laws affecting probation/parole and the ability to carry out these laws and duties within the defined procedures of the law, including times when one must make independent decisions.
- Must possess knowledge of applicable Rules of Court.
- Must possess knowledge of individual and group behavior, with special emphasis on behavior deviations of persons who have been involved in delinquent or criminal activities.
- Must possess knowledge of local and regional community-based organizations, social-service providers (public and private), and law-enforcement agencies.
- Must possess knowledge of “Universal Precautions for Prevention of Blood Borne Pathogens”, issued by the Centers for Disease Control.
- Must possess knowledge of Franklin County geography and topography.
- Must possess skill in observing and documenting client’s behavior.
- Must possess skill in social service assessment and counseling.
- Must possess skill in mediating among divergent parties and interests.
- Must possess skill in managing a battery of cases in various stages of disposition.
We offer an excellent benefit package including medical, dental, vision, prescription, life insurance, paid time off, tuition reimbursement and a retirement plan!
To apply for this position, please complete our online application. Franklin County is an equal opportunity employer.
If you need assistance completing the online application, please contact Human Resources at 717-261-3150.
