Adult Probation Officer

Job Summary

Probation Officers serve under the auspices of the York County Court of Common Pleas. Probation Officers are responsible to supervise and monitor either juveniles or adult offender’s compliance with conditions of probation and case planning. The officer must give balanced attention to the safety needs of the community, restoration of the victim, and rehabilitation of the offender. Officers are either assigned to oversee geographical regions within the County, which includes those who reside in the City of York, or are assigned to specialized caseloads. Specialty caseloads include individuals who have committed sexual offenses or domestic violence related offenses, individuals with mental illness or a history of trauma, and/or individuals in the treatment courts. Traveling to off-site locations, such as schools, residential facilities, treatment agencies and individual’s residences is an inherent component of Probation work, as is a significant amount of documentation and other paperwork.

Probation Officers complete an extensive training regimen and are expected to function with a fair degree of independence. An employee in this class investigates, advises and counsels adults and/or juveniles under the supervision of the Court to foster their personal, social and economic adjustment in the community. Work involves the counseling and supervision of clients, and completion of Court reports which include fair and balanced recommendations regarding the individual’s needs and protection of the community. Work includes a wide variety of contacts with agencies, employers, friends, and families in securing information regarding clients, and assisting in developing effective rehabilitation plans. Although law and well-defined procedures regulate the work, 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 employee supervision time, case audits, and through the review of reports and recommendations.

Officers must successfully complete an initial defense tactics certification class within the first 6 months of employment. Officers must successfully complete an initial ORAS (risk assessment tool) certification within the first year of employment.

About Us

Located in south-central Pennsylvania, York County Government offers many exciting and challenging opportunities to learn and grow in a career while making a difference in the lives of York County residents. Each County department meets a unique need in the community and provides an opportunity for both professional growth and personal satisfaction. York County offers a competitive wage and benefit package.

Responsibilities

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support the Vision and Mission of the Department of Probation Services.

• Follow and reinforce the chain of command.

• Responsible for Day In and On Call duties on a weekly rotating basis.

• Primary oversight and responsibility for supervision of adults under the supervision of the Court.

• Support, promote and actively engage in the use of evidence based practices such as risk and needs assessments, motivational interviewing, case planning and skill building exercises.

• Utilize the risk/needs results to make appropriate referrals to treatment agencies to address the individual’s needs and continuously monitor the individual’s participation and progress in these programs to ensure compliance and appropriate outcomes.

• Enforce confidentiality of protected information

• Expected to pass safety certifications.

• Primary oversight and responsibility for supervision of adults under the supervision of the Court.

• Complete and submit Court reports with an emphasis on accuracy, timeliness, professionalism, appropriate use of grammar and correct format.

• Actively promotes teamwork among units and the department as a whole.

• Attend and participate in local and regional meetings, seminars, trainings and conferences to maintain the highest level of education in the field of probation and parole services, including knowledge about current Probation/Parole research.

• Remain current with the latest research in the field of community corrections by reading articles and books.

• Perform all other duties as assigned temporarily or permanently by the District Court Administrator.

• Work nontraditional hours as required to meet the needs of individuals under the supervision of the Court.

• Other duties as assigned by management.

Work performance is evaluated, in part, on the basis of EEO performance. Requirements are representative of minimum knowledge, skills, and abilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbent will possess the ability or aptitude to perform each duty proficiently, and comply with Court/County policies and procedures, as outlined in the Employee Handbook.

Essential Requirements

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of adult and/or juvenile client supervision, methods of probation investigation and social casework, evidence-based practices, and Court policies and procedures.

• Strong oral and written communication skills.

• Ability to make clear and pertinent statements orally and in writing and to prepare clear and concise reports.

• Ability to actively foster an open, cooperative and collaborative working relationship within and between the departments, Court Administration staff, the Court and other departments and agencies.

• Knowledge of current social, economic and health problems and resources, with special emphasis on factors relating to delinquency and/or criminal behavior.

• Ability to make decisions on cases independently and with mature judgment.

• Ability to prepare reports and records and make clear and pertinent statements orally and in writing.

• Knowledgeable of the most up to date research in the field of community corrections

• Knowledge of Performance-Based Standards for Adult Probation and Parole Field Services, and/or knowledge of the Juvenile Act and the Juvenile Procedural Rules.

• Knowledge of researched evidence based practices in the field of community corrections.

• Understanding of the disease of addiction, mental illness and trauma principles and their impact on individuals under supervision of the courts.

• Ability to obtain required safety certifications and maintain them during employment.

• Ability to work effectively with a broad range of individuals in juvenile, probation and parole settings.

QUALIFICATIONS

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from an accredited institution, which is recognized by the US Department of Education, preferably in the behavioral sciences or a related social service field with at least 18 credits of a criminal justice/social services concentration.
• Must pass all clearances as outlined in the child protective services law, psychological evaluation, pre employment drug screen and physical.

Contact Details

If you have any questions, please contact the county's Department of Human Resources at [email protected].

York County embraces diversity in our community and workforce, and is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All hiring, promotions, demotions, training, and other opportunities are based on qualifications and without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, or disability.