Adult Probation Officer

Objectives

The Probation Officer is an officer of the Court and is responsible to the Common Pleas Judges for the coordination and completion of community control sanctions as well as ensuring public safety. This person is responsible for the implementation of evidence based interventions for felony offenders placed on community control. The officer reports to the Chief Probation Officer.

Job Standards

• Applicant must have a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution preferably in the field of criminal justice, criminology or psychology.
• Must successfully complete the Ohio Probation Officer Training Program within one year of hire.
• Must be certified in firearms, Taser and OC/Pepper Spray or the ability to be certified.
• Must possess a valid State of Ohio Driver’s License and acceptable driving record.
• Work consists of complex, varied non-standardized tasks, requiring the application of numerous laws, rules, regulations, and procedures. Comprehension of ability to make practical application of theories, principles, precedents, or generalized techniques relevant to the assigned tasks is required.
• Must be able to submit to a drug screening and psychological assessment.
• Must not have a criminal record.

Essential Functions

• Management of a felony case load;
• Maintain complete and accurate record of all relevant contacts and activities;
• Interact with chemical dependency counselors, law enforcement agencies and social services agencies;
• Provide crisis intervention for offenders, during and outside normal business hours and weekends as needed;
• Administers frequent and random drug tests when appropriate (urine and breath);
• Interviewing clients in the office and in the field;
• Surveillance of clients in their environment; work, home, etc.;
• Research, investigation and preparation of probation violation reports;
• Make referrals/recommendations as necessary and assists offenders and/or families in locating requested and/or mandatory services;
• Completion of risk/need assessments, ORAS, other assessments as needed;
• Utilization of evidence based practice interventions to address criminogenic needs;
• Generate individualized case plans via utilization of the ORAS in conjunction with outside treatment agencies;
• Monitor and enforce court costs and restitution payments as ordered by the sentencing Judge;
• Utilize evidence based cognitive behavioral interventions to facilitate pro-social skills.
• Apprehension of probation violators following the proper procedure and policy;
• Conduct searches, and escorts prisoners;
• Determine the need for additional court hearings based on the evidence based policy;
• Participate in court hearings involving violations and other hearings as required;
• Make recommendations at disposition in court hearings based on the evidence based policy;
• Statistical gathering to ensure the appropriate dosage of interventions is congruent to the risk level of the offender;
• Utilize a behavior modifications system to encourage pro-social behavior;
• Collection and receipting of supervision and Electronically Monitored House Arrest (EMHA)/GPS Fees;
• Answering telephone calls from clients, counselors, attorneys and the public, etc.;
• Schedule and Maintain Scheduling of Clients;
• Installation and maintaining of electronic monitoring/GPS equipment;
• Participate in staff meetings;
• Complete forms such as; orders to hold, orders to release, motions, entries and other related forms;
• Participate in implementing new programs and forms used in this program;
• Quickly determine the appropriateness of arresting an offender;
• Able to maintain Intake/Termination Information via the Community Corrections Information System (CCIS)

Supplemental Information

• NON-ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: The Adult Probation Officer will assume the extra duties involved in the Delaware County Adult Court Services Department, as well as the everyday operational guidelines of a Probation Officer;
• Performs other duties as assigned;
• Performs related essential and non-essential functions as required.

I. JOB REQUIREMENTS AND DIFFICULTY OF WORK

• EQUIPMENT: Must have the ability to operate a motor vehicle. Must have the ability to operate basic office equipment such as; computer with basic word processing programs and window based programs, copier, fax, telephone, pager, calculator, and other such equipment as necessary. Must also have the ability to be certified in OC/Pepper Spray, Taser and Firearms. Must be able to pass the ORAS certification process.

II. RESPONSIBILITY

• The responsibilities include but are not limited to; managing an adult felony case load, generating various reports on the probationer’s activities, interfacing with various law enforcement and social services agencies, and performing frequent and random drug/alcohol screens and frequent and random surveillance in probationer’s environment, and all under the direct supervision of the Chief Probation Officer. The probation officer makes decisions regarding aspects of case management independently. Errors in work are not readily detectable and could result in serious injury, possible death or an offender committing additional offenses.

III. PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS

• The contact will be with offenders, institutional residents, co-workers, social services employees, law enforcement personnel, court employees, attorneys and the public, etc. The purpose of these contacts will be varied and necessary in the rehabilitation process, coordinating services, and in ensuring that the probationer complies with all orders of the Court.

IV. PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Physical Requirements: The physical activities of the position are identified as sedentary at times during office time and possibly physical at times of surveillance.
• Physical Activity: The physical activity could involve restraining of an individual, chasing an individual, defensive activity from an individual especially during an apprehension. Otherwise, talking, hearing, listening, reaching, walking, and sitting.
• Visual Activity: The visual activity includes close work as with computer and reading drug screens and far sight as during an apprehension.
• Job Location: During office time there are environmental conditions such as exposure to urine borne diseases. Policy and Procedure relate to these issues and must be followed to the letter. Also, during surveillance time, there may be adverse environmental conditions relating to the weather and other usual outside driving conditions.

V. SUPERVISORY AND MANAGERIAL FUNCTION

• Span of Control: This position does not require direct supervision responsibilities unless, directed by the Chief Probation Officer in the event of absence. All duties would be addressed at that time.
• Supervisory Functions: Not Applicable to this Position
• Work methods and related problems: Individual should update and discuss the Delaware County Adult Court Services Department’s program operations with the Chief Probation Officer and ask for guidance and direction as needed. The individual should also, refer to written policy and procedure as needed.
• Productivity: The individual will be expected to meet deadlines and be able to communicate any problems with such to the Chief Probation Officer. The Chief PO or designee will, in compliance with the State Standards audit case loads, ensure proper procedures and proper documentation are followed and completed.
• Quality of work produced: The Chief Probation Officer or designee will ensure that paperwork is accurate and reports are timely filed.
• Department objectives: Follow the Policies and Procedures of the Delaware County Adult Court Services Department and to strive to meet the goals and mission of the Delaware County Probation Department. The individual will be evaluated on a regular basis and pertinent discussions regarding objectives will be included.
• Directions and/or guidance received from supervision: Direction will be received upon request and through meetings, memos, policies and employee evaluations.