What are the responsibilities and job description for the Probation Officer position at Montgomery County Government?
Position Overview
Position Summary
The Probation Officer serves in the Probation Services Department and reports to the Probation Services Supervisor.
The Probation Officer is responsible for investigating and supervising defendants/offenders referred by the court for basic supervision.
Summary Of Job Duties
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The essential duties and responsibilities of the position are as follows:
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, AND SKILLS:
All court employees are expected to stay current in their areas of technical expertise; maintain attention to detail; exhibit good organizational skills; work effectively on own initiative and by cooperating with others; engage in active listening; speak and write clearly and concisely; demonstrate good manners, friendly demeanor, and professional behavior; uphold the policies, procedures, and practices of the court; maintain the confidentiality of sensitive and privileged information; and represent the court with honesty and integrity.
Education And Experience Qualifications
The position requires an appropriate combination of formal education, additional training and courses, and work experience. There is not an exact level or mixture of these elements to indicate one will necessarily be successful in, or qualify for, the position.
For example purposes only, an acceptable combination of qualifications for the position is a bachelor’s degree in psychology, sociology, criminal justice, or related field.
Licensure Or Certification Requirements
A valid state of Ohio motor vehicle operator’s license is preferred in order to carry out job-related essential functions. Private insurance is required if private vehicle is employed for job-related functions.
Supplemental Information
Scope Of Supervision
The position requires no supervisory duties or responsibilities.
Equipment Operated
Two-way radios, handcuffs, and ballistic vests.
Vehicle, computer, calculator, copier, fax, telephone, and other general office equipment.
Work Environment And Usual Physical Demands
The following physical demands are typically exhibited by the incumbent performing the requirements of the position. These physical demands are not, and should not be construed to be, job qualification standards. They are illustrated to help the court, incumbent, and applicant for the position identify reasonable accommodations that may need to be made when an otherwise qualified person is unable to perform the job’s essential functions because of a recognized disability covered by, and in accordance with, the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
While performing duties of this job, the employee regularly exhibits digital dexterity and eye-hand coordination when performing typing and other tasks. The employee frequently sits for extended periods of time, and occasionally stands and walks. Employee converses verbally with others in person and by telephone. Vision demands include close, relatively detailed vision when typing and using a computer screen. Job may involve operating and sitting in a vehicle.
All Montgomery County employees become members of the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System and have access to deferred compensation programs.
Benefits may vary for full-time, part-time, intermittent, and seasonal employees and/or due to union affiliation. The list below demonstrates the benefits that may be available to employees according to employment status and is subject to change.
Full-Time Employees (40 hours per week): Health insurance with HSA match, wellness program and incentives, life insurance, paid vacation, paid personal leave days, sick leave, holiday pay, tuition reimbursement, and access to dental, vision, short-term disability, accident & critical care benefits.
Part-Time Employees (Benefits Eligible) (scheduled 21 hours per week): Health insurance with HSA match, wellness program and incentives, life insurance, paid personal leave days, sick leave, holiday pay for hours scheduled to work on holidays, and access to dental, vision, short-term disability, accident & critical care benefits.
Part-time Employees (Non-Benefits Eligible) (20 hours or less per week): Benefits include Long Term Sick Leave Accrual, Paid Personal Leave, and holiday pay for hours scheduled to work on holidays.
Seasonal Employees: Benefits include Sick Leave accrued at 4.6 hours for every eighty 80 hours in active
pay status. Seasonal employees scheduled to work 40 hours during their period of employment will accrue vacation in the same manner as regular full-time employees and can use their vacation after completion of twenty-six (26) bi-weekly pay periods in active pay status. Part-time Seasonal employees (scheduled to work less than 40 hours) do not accrue vacation.
Intermittent and Temporary Employees: Long-Term Sick Leave accrual is based on hours worked.
Benefit information can be found on the Montgomery County Benefits website at: www.mcbenefits.org.
Position Summary
The Probation Officer serves in the Probation Services Department and reports to the Probation Services Supervisor.
The Probation Officer is responsible for investigating and supervising defendants/offenders referred by the court for basic supervision.
Summary Of Job Duties
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The essential duties and responsibilities of the position are as follows:
- Supervises and monitors offenders granted basic supervision by the court to ensure compliance with supervision terms and conditions, including court ordered financial obligations.
- Prepares case plans and sets goals for offenders in accordance with conditions set by the court. Identifies offender needs and makes referrals for assessment to the court, mental health, substance abuse, and/or other appropriate programs or persons for assistance.
- Testifies in court and makes recommendations. Attends revocation/violation, status, and other court hearings to provide input pertaining to the offender’s supervision.
- Maintains records and documentation to record changes in address, employment, and other matters.
- Processes offenders onto supervision in accordance with accreditation standards by completing appropriate forms and documents.
- Collects urine samples and conducts breathalyzer tests.
- Collects DNA samples from felony and selected misdemeanor offenders using a buccal swab collector.
- Conducts searches and seizures for contraband or stolen property, and makes arrests when offender is in violation of supervision terms and conditions. Facilitates and/or prepares necessary documentation for the detention and/or arrest of the probationer.
- Compiles statistical data reflecting number of offenders on supervision, terminations, warrants issued, transfers, and other information to assess day-to-day functioning of programs.
- Obtains certification in approved risk assessment tool (ORAS) and conducts assessments in a timely manner.
- Participates in training opportunities, court activities, projects, and committees as requested or required.
- Completes other duties and responsibilities as required.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES, AND SKILLS:
- Knowledge of: counseling; chemical dependency; social work; corrections; Ohio Revised Code as it pertains to probation functions; court system procedures and processes; criminal justice system; community social service agencies and resources; universal precautions for control of blood-borne pathogens; criminal justice services policies and procedures.
- Ability to: establish rapport with probationers of various social and economic backgrounds; establish case priorities; perform under stress when confronted with an emergency, critical, unusual, or dangerous situation; work with resistant clients; physically make an arrest; participate in training to properly utilize a conducted energy weapon (Taser) and pepper spray; participate in a physical examination that includes an agility evaluation.
- Skill in: interviewing offenders/defendants, victims, and others; completing statistical and essay reports; data input; operation of a computer; application of job software programs; evidence-based safety; analyzing data; preparing behavior modification programs; listening.
All court employees are expected to stay current in their areas of technical expertise; maintain attention to detail; exhibit good organizational skills; work effectively on own initiative and by cooperating with others; engage in active listening; speak and write clearly and concisely; demonstrate good manners, friendly demeanor, and professional behavior; uphold the policies, procedures, and practices of the court; maintain the confidentiality of sensitive and privileged information; and represent the court with honesty and integrity.
Education And Experience Qualifications
The position requires an appropriate combination of formal education, additional training and courses, and work experience. There is not an exact level or mixture of these elements to indicate one will necessarily be successful in, or qualify for, the position.
For example purposes only, an acceptable combination of qualifications for the position is a bachelor’s degree in psychology, sociology, criminal justice, or related field.
Licensure Or Certification Requirements
A valid state of Ohio motor vehicle operator’s license is preferred in order to carry out job-related essential functions. Private insurance is required if private vehicle is employed for job-related functions.
Supplemental Information
Scope Of Supervision
The position requires no supervisory duties or responsibilities.
Equipment Operated
Two-way radios, handcuffs, and ballistic vests.
Vehicle, computer, calculator, copier, fax, telephone, and other general office equipment.
Work Environment And Usual Physical Demands
The following physical demands are typically exhibited by the incumbent performing the requirements of the position. These physical demands are not, and should not be construed to be, job qualification standards. They are illustrated to help the court, incumbent, and applicant for the position identify reasonable accommodations that may need to be made when an otherwise qualified person is unable to perform the job’s essential functions because of a recognized disability covered by, and in accordance with, the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
While performing duties of this job, the employee regularly exhibits digital dexterity and eye-hand coordination when performing typing and other tasks. The employee frequently sits for extended periods of time, and occasionally stands and walks. Employee converses verbally with others in person and by telephone. Vision demands include close, relatively detailed vision when typing and using a computer screen. Job may involve operating and sitting in a vehicle.
All Montgomery County employees become members of the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System and have access to deferred compensation programs.
Benefits may vary for full-time, part-time, intermittent, and seasonal employees and/or due to union affiliation. The list below demonstrates the benefits that may be available to employees according to employment status and is subject to change.
Full-Time Employees (40 hours per week): Health insurance with HSA match, wellness program and incentives, life insurance, paid vacation, paid personal leave days, sick leave, holiday pay, tuition reimbursement, and access to dental, vision, short-term disability, accident & critical care benefits.
Part-Time Employees (Benefits Eligible) (scheduled 21 hours per week): Health insurance with HSA match, wellness program and incentives, life insurance, paid personal leave days, sick leave, holiday pay for hours scheduled to work on holidays, and access to dental, vision, short-term disability, accident & critical care benefits.
Part-time Employees (Non-Benefits Eligible) (20 hours or less per week): Benefits include Long Term Sick Leave Accrual, Paid Personal Leave, and holiday pay for hours scheduled to work on holidays.
Seasonal Employees: Benefits include Sick Leave accrued at 4.6 hours for every eighty 80 hours in active
pay status. Seasonal employees scheduled to work 40 hours during their period of employment will accrue vacation in the same manner as regular full-time employees and can use their vacation after completion of twenty-six (26) bi-weekly pay periods in active pay status. Part-time Seasonal employees (scheduled to work less than 40 hours) do not accrue vacation.
Intermittent and Temporary Employees: Long-Term Sick Leave accrual is based on hours worked.
Benefit information can be found on the Montgomery County Benefits website at: www.mcbenefits.org.
