Probation and Parole Officer

PROBATION & PAROLE OFFICER

BILLINGS PROBATION OFFICE

BILLINGS, MT

This position, guided by the Department of Corrections (DOC) mission, plays a central role in managing the correctional population, promoting public safety and encouraging offenders to make positive life changing decisions for their future. To carry out this responsibility, the officer cooperates with and solicits information from the public and criminal justice system and supervises and counsels 80-100 offenders. Must have skills and abilities to equally balance social work and law enforcement duties.

The officer conducts pre-sentence investigations and makes placement recommendations concerning those offenders sentenced to DOC. These investigations are completed with cooperation from other criminal justices’ agencies and by using investigative skills; knowledge of laws, rules and regulations pertaining to probation, parole, incarceration, rehabilitation and treatment programs, as well as, knowledge of behavioral science. The officer then makes recommendations for rehabilitation, treatment plans, conditions of probation, the need for incarceration, and appropriate level (i.e. local jail or Montana State Prison) to the District Court and Parole Board through a written pre-sentence investigation report. Officers refer offenders to appropriate resources or programs using departments supervision standards, a risk and needs assessment as well as knowledge of state and community resources and monitors the progress of the client for compliance. Officers investigate alleged violations of probation or parole using knowledge of policies & procedures pertaining to violations, search warrants & investigations.

Officers arrest and detain violators and testify in district court and information hearings relative to sentencing or revocation of client’s probation or parole status. Officers are trained to handle situations if probation & parole offenders or inmates become hostile & pose a physical threat. This requires the use of Oleoresin Capsicum “O.C. Spray” and firearms and carrying handcuffs.

• May be called back to work at any hour of the day and an officer may need to physically make an arrest, engage in forced entry and either employ or be in proximity of firearms or other dangerous weapons and access closed or hazardous areas.
• May be occasionally scheduled to work alternative shifts such as evenings and weekends.

Travel may be required.

QUALIFICATIONS - Bachelor's degree in behavioral science such as criminology, psychology, social work, sociology, or guidance and counseling. Related work experience in areas such as criminology, education, medicine, psychiatry, psychology, law, law enforcement, social work, sociology, psychiatric nursing, or guidance and counseling, may be substituted for educational requirements at the rate of 1 year experience for 9 months formal education as provided in statute: Qualifications of probation and parole officers are in statute (46-23-1003, MCA). Ranking will be based on Knowledge, Skills and Abilities as demonstrated in the application materials. Preference will be given to candidates with training and/or education in behavioral sciences.

PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER INFORMATION

This position requires POST Basic Certification after attending training at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy and successfully completing one year of employment with the Department of Corrections. In addition to the training and experience requirements, to be POST Certified, the successful candidate(s) must:

• Be a citizen of the United States of America;
• Be at least 18 years of age;
• Be fingerprinted for a criminal history search;
• Not have been convicted of a crime for which s/he could have been imprisoned in a federal or state penitentiary;
• Be of good moral character, as determined by a thorough background screen;
• Be a high school graduate or issued a GED or its equivalent; AND,
• Possess or be eligible for a valid Montana driver’s license.

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS – Cover Letter, Resume, State of Montana Application

Applications missing required documentation will not be considered.

Materials submitted but not requested will not be considered in the selection process, please make sure all attachments are marked as RELEVANT

If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection.

Background screens which may include criminal records check, child/patient/offender abuse registries, and reference checks will be conducted for this position.

BENEFITS - Health, dental, vision & prescription coverage for self or dependents available from date of hire, 15 paid vacation days, 12 sick days & 10-11 paid holidays annually, and membership in Retirement system with state contribution (vesting applies). Employment with the state may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under PSLF.

To apply or for full position details visit - https://mtstatejobs.taleo.net/careersection/200/jobdetail.ftl?job=23141019&tz=GMT-06:00&tzname=America/Denver

Questions? Call or text Rebecca at 406-589-9815

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $21.58 per hour

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 10 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Associate (Preferred)

Experience:

• Case management: 2 years (Preferred)

License/Certification:

• Driver's License (Preferred)

Work Location: In person