Probation Officer Assistant - Facility Based

Anoka County offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, including advancement opportunities for motivated individuals.

About the role

The Community Corrections department has immediate openings for Probation Officer Assistants. In this role, you'll work with residents in three juvenile correctional facilities, providing individual and group support through program facilitation, maintaining safety and security, documenting behavior, and performing regular well-being checks. This is a full-time, non-exempt, on-site position.

Responsibilities

• Follow DOC licensing standards including mandated resident well-being and high-risk checks.
• Facilitate intakes for new admissions.
• Complete audits on medication delivery, CSTS-FA intakes, youth property, and building supplies.
• Focus on pro-social skill development, effective use of rewards and sanctions, use of a variety of individual/group counseling approaches, and facilitation of diverse programming.
• Distribute medication, maintain care, and custody of all residents in placement.
• Communicate with all stakeholders and complete required paperwork.
• Maintain accurate documentation of resident activity utilizing department and offender data systems and computer hardware.
• Respond to emergency situations and call for assistance in the worksite, intervening with appropriate level of force.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent. In lieu of the required education, an equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.
• Must be 21 years of age or older by date of hire.
• Successfully pass driver's license background check.
• Must have valid driver's license and vehicle available for business use.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Corrections, Criminal Justice, Criminology, Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, or closely related field.
• One year (2,080 annual hours) of job-related experience in a correctional or probation setting.
• Knowledge of criminal justice system, processes, and chemical health policies and laws.
• Knowledge of state laws related to correctional facilities.
• Skill in motivational interviewing techniques and investigation strategies.
• Skill in effective behavior modification and de-escalation strategies.
• Experience with evidence-based correctional practices.

Skills

This role requires a range of physical, cognitive, and sensory abilities, including:

• Vision abilities: close vision, distance vision, ability to adjust focus, color perception, and brightness detection.
• Hearing abilities: general and phone communication, detecting signals and machine sounds.
• Sensory abilities: detecting and tolerating a wide range of scents for safety and performance.
• Cognitive abilities: problem-solving, task prioritization, memory, interpreting written documents, and mathematical skills.
• Physical demands: handling/carrying equipment, reaching, climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, and crawling. Periodic high exertion for self-defense, pursuit, or restraint, including lifting over 100 lbs. in emergencies.

Work Environment

• Standard office environment, correctional and detention institutions, field offices, courtrooms, offenders'/clients' homes, hospitals, schools, and various community settings.
• Work may involve contact with juveniles or adults charged with criminal offenses, who may be hostile, dangerous, threatening, armed, aggressive, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Exposure to bodily fluids, toxic or caustic chemicals, fumes, or other hazards is possible.
• Equipment used includes computers, phones, standard office equipment, and various law enforcement tools such as radios, pagers, restraints, handcuffs, first aid equipment, chemical agents, Tasers, and protective gear (masks, goggles, gloves).
• Travel between work sites may require driving a county or personal vehicle.

Schedule

• Full-time position following a rotating shift schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• Most assignments are scheduled during the second shift (3:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.) or third shift (11:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m.).
• Structured schedule of six consecutive days on duty (including weekends and holidays), followed by three consecutive days off.
• Schedule may vary based on business needs and supervisory discretion.

Pay

Salary range: $58,988.80 to $82,596.80 annually ($28.36 to $39.71 per hour). Starting rate depends on experience, education, and qualifications.

Benefits

• 24 days of paid flexible time off and up to 12.5 paid holidays in the first year.
• Comprehensive insurance, including medical, dental, vision, and flex benefits. Learn more.
• Medical and dental clinic exclusive to employees, located at the Anoka County Government Center.
• Pension plan and other retirement investment options.
• Advancement and professional development opportunities.

Location

Anoka County Juvenile Center campus facility, located at 7555 4th Ave, Lino Lakes, MN, 55014.

Union Representation

This position is represented by a collective bargaining agreement between Anoka County and the Law Enforcement Labor Services (LELS) 583 union.

Pre-employment Requirements

• Successfully passing a pre-employment criminal/driving background check, drug screen, and DOT physical may be required.
• Applicants may be required to sign an informed consent form allowing the County to conduct such screenings and verify qualifications.