Probation Officer / Substance Abuse Assessor

Under the supervision of the Deputy Director of Probation and Community Corrections, provides professional case management services in the supervision and counseling of adult offenders ordered to probation and/or or community-based correctional programs. Conducts pre-arraignment and pre-sentence investigations; prepares bond, pretrial release and sentencing recommendations; and supervises pretrial clients and probationers. Monitors client compliance with all provisions of their respective court orders, including participation and progress in community-based treatment programs.

This is a full-time, benefited position working out of the Holland District Court in Holland, MI. Typical working hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Occasional travel to other County locations as needed. 

The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Performs   intake   for   new   probationers,   reviewing   questionnaires,   conducting   interviews, explaining court orders, and determining frequency of and scheduling reporting times. Prepares recommendations for dispositions of cases for the Court based on the  information collected  for  the  pre-sentencing report;  interviews with  offenders,  their  families,  employers, school  personnel,  counselors  and  other  relevant  parties;  and/or  consultation  with  defense attorneys.
2. Recommends terms and conditions of probation for offenders, including the amounts of fines and restitution payments, if any; hours of community service to be performed; and participation in education and training programs. Refers clients to and/or enrolls clients in substance abuse treatment programs; job training and placement programs; community service worksites; educational programs; psychological and sexual abuse counseling; domestic violence; sex offender; victim impact panels; and other treatment and intervention programs and services.
3. Conducts pretrial and pre-sentence investigations for assigned cases, reviewing documentation and conducting interviews to establish school, work, social, and criminal histories of offenders. 
4. Prepares recommendations with respect to pretrial release of and bond conditions for defendants awaiting hearings or trials. Provides supervision for defendants ordered to pre-trial supervision. 
5. Supervises clients on pretrial release and offenders ordered to probation and/or community-based correctional programs, monitoring client compliance with the terms and conditions of their respective orders. Monitors participation and progress of clients in treatment programs, training and education programs, job search activities, community service and other programs to which they have been ordered. Monitors compliance of clients with terms and conditions of their orders, and performs random home, school, and work-site visits, administers random alcohol and drug tests, and conducts random searches of clients, their vehicles and their residences.
6. Administers mandatory alcohol and drug screening and assessment instruments to clients to assess extent of alcohol and/or drug abuse and role of substance abuse in client criminal behavior, and refers clients to treatment programs.
7. Discharges clients from probation upon successful fulfillment of all terms and conditions of their probation orders, including payment of costs, fees, fines and/or restitution.
8. Collaborates with law enforcement jurisdictions to address violations of court orders. Prepares warrant requests, as required, and makes recommendations to the Court regarding arrest, bond, and/or conditions of release for clients detained for probation and/or new law violations. Appears at probation or bond violation hearings for clients and presents dispositional recommendations to the court.
9. May serve as case manager for treatment programs such as Sobriety Treatment Program and Mental Health Court, reporting and making recommendations with respect to client progress through program phases.
10. May serve as a probation officer for offenders released to the Intensive Supervision Program, interviewing and assessing eligibility of inmates for release to the program, reporting offender compliance with the terms and conditions of their ISP orders to the court; conducting random searches  of  clients,  their  residences,  vehicles,  worksites,  and  other  locations  for  drugs  and alcohol, weapons, contraband, on other prohibited items; and performing random alcohol and drug screening tests.
11. Performs other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

1. Good working knowledge of the principles and practices of sociology, criminology, and the criminal justice system.
2. Good working knowledge of abnormal and behavioral psychology and behavior modification principles and practices, with a knowledge of the principles and practices of guidance and counseling, and public and private community resources, behavioral intervention and treatment programs for offenders and their families.
3. Thorough working knowledge of principles and practices of probation and case management, including graduated sanctions and treatment strategies.
4. Thorough working knowledge of substance abuse prevention programs and principles, and drug and alcohol testing protocols.
5. Good working knowledge of family and peer group dynamics and other sociological factors influencing offender behavior.
6. Good working knowledge of the sociology and internal dynamics of gangs.
7. Good working knowledge of the Michigan Court Rules, and Michigan Criminal Code.
8. Good interpersonal and human relations skills.
9. Good verbal and written communication skills.
10. Ability  to  interact  positively  and  objectively  with  defendants,  victims,  prosecutors,  defense attorneys, judges, law enforcement officers, officers of the court, treatment providers, community resource agencies, and members of the general public from a wide range of cultural and socio- economic backgrounds and with varying levels of interpersonal communications skills.

NOTE:

1. Must be able to pass a stringent background investigation.
2. Must be able and available to work irregular hours in order to conduct random surveillance and searches of clients in the community.
3. Verbal and written fluency in Spanish, Cambodian, Lao or other language commonly spoken by one or more demographic groups represented in the population strongly preferred.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS:

1. Valid State of Michigan Driver's License.
2. Must become a Certified Criminal Justice Professional within three years of employment.
3. Must be certified to use the Breathalyzer [PBT] equipment used by the Court.

 
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Must possess sufficient visual acuity, with or without corrective lenses, to visually monitor clients in surveillance checks/site visits; to visually detect drugs, alcohol, weapons, and contraband in client possession; and to read results of drug and alcohol tests.
2. Must possess sufficient auditory acuity, with or without audiological appliances, to monitor clients in all settings.
3. Must  possess  sufficient  strength  and  mobility  to  subdue  and  restrain  clients  if  and  when necessary.

 
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Work is performed in both a normal office environment and in client homes, schools, worksites and other community locations.   Supervision of clients in the community may entail exposure to environmental, health and safety hazards and to personal jeopardy from aggressive clients and/or family members and associates.
 
May be exposed to blood borne pathogens while attempting to subdue or restrain a client and to other bodily fluids when administering drug and alcohol tests.

DISCLAIMER:
This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned, at any time with or without notice.

Salary : $31 - $40