PAROLE AND PROBATION AGENT I

About the role

The Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) is seeking dedicated candidates to fill important roles within our department. We are one of the largest departments in Maryland with nearly 12,000 employees and a budget of more than $1 billion. In order to fulfill our mission of promoting safety, we have increased security at our institutions while leading the way in innovative restorative justice projects that will help offenders reintegrate into society upon release.

Position duties

The main purpose of this position is making Maryland safer through proactive community supervision of supervised individuals utilizing a strategy that focuses on criminogenic needs. This includes investigating and reporting, testing and referring individuals under supervision, identifying and partnering with community resources, informing and supporting victims of crime and collecting ordered monies. Provides ongoing supervision of supervised individuals through regular check-ins, home visits, and community contacts, ensuring compliance with program expectations and continuity of services.

Key Responsibilities

• Communicates in person, by telephone, or by written correspondence with supervised individuals and others, using motivational interviewing techniques in a variety of settings during the supervision period.
• Creates and uses a comprehensive supervision case plan that outlines the strategies, interventions, sanctions, incentives and services and available resources to produce a successful outcome.
• Contacts shall be made in accordance with evidence-based strategies in accordance with Agency policy and procedures; analyze, interpret and assess case information to assess supervised individuals risk, stages of change, and identify criminogenic needs.
• Uses tools, to include Global Positioning System (GPS) monitoring, along with training and experience, to ensure compliance with conditions of supervision and/or to maintain the supervised individual in the community, minimizing risk to the public.
• Participates in training programs required by the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission to maintain Parole and Probation Agent certification. Investigative requirements include gathering all relevant and required information, documenting all interviews and contacts, assessing the supervised individual’s risk to public safety and needs for a successful integration into the community, providing a timely assessment of the individual to the requesting authority, and making an appropriate recommendation in accordance with evidence-based practices, agency policies and procedures.
• Creates and maintains an official record to document case activity on supervised individuals, including those managed through Interstate Compact Offender Tracking System (ICOTS) according to Agency policies and procedures and using available technology. Produces documents to communicate information regarding supervised individuals to the courts, Parole Commission or related agencies, and to recommend appropriate action.
• Attends hearings in various courts or correctional institutions throughout the State in order to visually identify supervised individuals, to produce documents, to testify from official records regarding supervised individuals, and make sentencing recommendations to the courts and Parole Commission.
• Obtains samples (breath/mouth/saliva, urine, etc.) from supervised individuals and/or test results to detect use of alcohol and/or drugs to ensure compliance with conditions of supervision. Assesses progress in reaching the goals of the supervision case plan.
• Demonstrates the ability to successfully complete various assignments to meet the changing needs of the agency or unit, such as identifying community resources, handling general office assignments in the absence of others, or as directed by the supervisor.
• Demonstrates responsiveness to victims and sensitivity to their needs and concerns. Assists in identifying resources available to victims.
• Work involves special physical demands such as lifting 50 pounds or more, climbing ladders, etc.
• Exposure to uncomfortable or unpleasant surroundings.
• Exposure to hazardous conditions which may result injury.
• Use of protective equipment such as goggles, gloves, mask, etc.

Minimum Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with 30 credits in the social, behavioral or correctional sciences.

Desired or Preferred Qualifications

• A bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice, Psychology, Sociology or Social Work
• Experience with Windows-based Applications (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel,) virtual communication tools (e.g., Zoom, Google Suite, and Microsoft Teams) and other technologies that support case management and organizational tasks.
• Must be willing to provide direct interaction with supervised individuals across multiple environments, including office settings, community-based locations, and home visits.

Licenses, Registrations and Certifications

• Special requirements include passing annual recertification, which includes the physical demands required for self-defensive tactics.

Special Requirements

• Employees in this classification are subject to call-in 24 hours a day and, therefore, will be required to provide a telephone number at which they can be reached.

Selection Process

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.

Benefits

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

Further Instructions

Online applications are highly recommended. However, if you are unable to apply online, the paper application and supplemental questionnaire may be emailed to Nattlie.Muckerson@maryland.gov. Paper application materials must be received in our office by the closing date for the recruitment. If you are submitting additional information, the preferred method is to upload it with your application. All uploaded additional information must be received by the closing date and time. If you are unable to upload, please email the requested information to Nattlie.Muckerson@mayland.gov referencing the recruitment number in the subject line. Only additional materials that are requested will be accepted for this recruitment. If you are having difficulties with submitting your online application, please contact the DBM Recruitment and Examination Division at Application.Help@maryland.gov or 410-767-4850. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country. People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining, and promoting employees who are reflective of the State's diversity. Click on a link below to apply for this position: | Fill out the Supplemental Questionnaire and Application NOW using the Internet. | Apply Online | | View and print the Supplemental Questionnaire. | This recruitment requires completion of a supplemental questionnaire. You may view and print the supplemental questionnaire here. | | Apply via Paper Application. | You may also download and complete the Paper Application here. |