Probation Field Officer

POSITION: Probation Field Officer

DEPARTMENT: Probate Court/ Juvenile Probation Department

JOB CATEGORY: POLE (Protective Occupations, Law Enforcement)

SALARY: Per Indiana Probation Officer Salary Schedule

STATUS: Full-Time

FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required. St. Joseph County provides reasonable accommodations to qualified employees and applicants with known disabilities who require accommodation to complete the application process or perform essential functions of the job unless those accommodations would present an undue hardship.

Incumbent serves as Probation Field Officer for St. Joseph Probate Court, responsible for conducting home visits, investigations, making recommendations, and supervising probation clients for enforcement of court orders and probation terms.

Benefits

Affordable Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans

Paid Time Off (PTO) with generous accruals

Employer Paid Life Insurance coverage

Short-Term and Long-Term Disability (STD/LTD)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for healthcare and dependent care

Gym Membership Discounts to encourage wellness

Employer-Funded PERF (Public Employees' Retirement Fund)

Access to additional voluntary benefits and resources

Responsibilities

All probation officers are expected to make decisions and act in accordance with departmental policies and procedures, maintaining a full caseload in addition to performing all duties required by the Chief Probation Officer, their direct report, or other members of the administrative team.

• Supervises, assists, and monitors juveniles; including reviewing, executing and ensuring compliance with court orders/program rules, conducting surveillance, and monitoring activity sites for compliance with program terms.

• Searches juveniles, their home(s), vehicle(s) and property for contraband, in accordance with prescribed policy and procedures, tests for illegal drugs and alcohol, including collecting urine samples, oral fluid samples, and operating portable breath tester(s).

• Write coherent, concise reports regarding violations indicating recommendations and the rationale for each one.

• Serves as liaison to juveniles and employers, including explaining program policies, answering questions, mediating conflicts and resolving problems.

• Assists with the installation and maintenance of electronic-monitoring equipment, initiating repairs as needed.

• Enters program participant daily activity schedule and verifies activities for home detention youth and probationers.

• Testifies in court proceedings, when required.

• Maintains current knowledge of applicable local, stand, and federal rules/regulations, new developments, technology and trends in the field of community corrections by reading professional publications and periodically attending training/seminars/conferences.

• Periodically performs duties for other department personnel in their absence. Is required to serve “on call” for after hour emergencies.

• Deliver messages and schedule appointments with youth and families when they cannot be reached by telephone and information is needed in a timely manner which cannot be met by mail.

• Respond to community crisis 24 hours/day, 7 days a week, working closely with the Youth Mobile Crisis Unit and all schools.

• Transport juveniles when necessary to court, shelter care, for medical appointments, and to private placements.

• Work with community agencies regarding clients and their families.

• Maintain client files and records, documenting all face to face and collateral contacts with juveniles, parents and relevant others.

• Assist with the supervision of juveniles on home detention as well as formal and informal probation in accordance with the Risk Classification of each juvenile.

• Contact appropriate agencies for any additional information needed, including victims if necessary.

• Performs related duties as assigned.

Education/Experience

Baccalaureate degree from an accredited College required. Degree in Criminal Justice preferred. However, Social Work, Sociology, Psychology or related field accepted.