ASSOCIATE PROBATION OFFICER
Salary: $20.23 per hour ($42,078.40 annually)
Employment Status: Full-Time
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Reports to: Supervisor – Criminal Justice Services
Civil Service Status: Classified
Work Schedule: 40 hours per week
Decision Band: B25
Department/Division: Criminal Justice Services
DISTINGUISHING JOB CHARACTERISTICS:
The Associate Probation Officer is an entry level officer position. Officers investigate, supervise, and monitor basic offenders referred by the Court. In addition, Officers are responsible for providing and maintaining information and documentation, administering sanctions, and referring offenders to services. Employee may occasionally have to travel out-of-state or county to return offender/defendant violators, and will respond to emergency situations during off hours.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each essential duty listed below. Reasonable accommodations will be made for disabled persons, covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, in accordance with its requirements.
1. Supervises and monitors pay-through, monitored time, and basic low-risk offenders granted supervision by the Court to ensure compliance with supervision terms and conditions.
2. Meets with offenders/defendants on a scheduled basis to discuss changes in address, employment and other matters. Makes home, collateral and employment visits to verify offenders/defendants address and employment, and to monitor offenders/defendants home and lifestyle. Maintains contact through office visits, telephone calls, and mail to keep their residency, employment and other information up-to-date. Monitors client completion of required treatments and court ordered tasks.
3. Prepares case plans and sets goals for offenders/defendants to achieve. Designs plans in accordance with conditions set by Court, and to enable offenders to be successfully terminated from supervision. Identifies offender/defendants’ needs and makes referrals for assessment to the Court, mental health, substance abuse or other appropriate programs or persons for assistance. Establishes and maintains rapport with offenders/defendants to decrease and modify criminal and anti-social behaviors.
4. Visits jails to meet with offenders/defendants incarcerated on new charges, warrants or community control violations.
5. Transports offenders/defendants to and from Court, social service programs, and treatment.
6. Schedules offenders for assessments, if necessary, and directs them to the office and/or officer to whom they are to report. Refers offenders to or observes and collects urinalysis samples or breathalyzer tests, to determine if offender is using illicit drugs/alcohol. Updates Street time website with urinalysis results.
7. Responds to and handles crisis calls from offenders/defendants, victims, family members, and community.
8. Issues Order to Report letters to inform offenders/defendants of missed appointments and provide new appointment date.
9. Signs offenders/defendants onto supervision, in accordance with accreditation standards, by completing appropriate forms and documents. Collects information from court of record and requires offender/defendant to sign appropriate documentation with regard to their case.
10. Conducts criminal records check through Ohio Bureau of Investigation, FBI and other agencies. Investigates offender/defendant background, and collects information pertaining to offender/defendant family, employment, education, military service and other matters to help assess offender/defendant suitability for handling employment and other life issues, and for determining potential problems and needs when monitoring offender.
11. Completes and proofs reports then submits to Supervisor for approval.
12. Refers offender/defendants, or observes and collects urinalysis samples and/or breathalyzer, to determine if offender is using illicit drugs.
13. Testifies in open court and makes recommendations.
14. Attends revocation/violation, status and other Court hearings to provide input pertaining to offender’s/defendant’s supervision. Gathers input from victims with regard to offender/defendant’s termination of community control.
15. Updates Streettime website with urinalysis results.
16. Provides documentation, progress reports and recommendations at Court hearings to help Judge assess status of supervision and to determine whether to continue supervision, or to incarcerate or institutionalize. Attends revocation/violation, status and other Court hearings to provide input pertaining to offender’s/defendant’s supervision. Gathers input from victims with regard to termination of community control of offender/defendant.
17. Compiles statistical data reflecting number of defendants/offenders on supervision, terminations, warrants issued, transfers, and other information.
18. Prepares reports including Terminations from Supervision, Reinstatements to Supervision, Violation Hearing, Modification of Restitution, Jail Time Credit, Warrants, Supplementals, Victim Impact Statements and other reports.
19. Conducts searches and seizures for contraband or stolen property, and makes arrests when offender/defendant is in violation of supervision terms and conditions.
20. Collect DNA samples from felony and selected misdemeanor offenders using a buccal swab collector.
21. Processes mailed-in payments from offenders/defendants for financial obligations, including court costs, fees, restitutions, fines, and other debts. Payments are placed in a designated safe.
22. Obtains certification in approved risk assessment tool (ORAS) and conducts assessments in a timely manner.
23. Complies with all Court and Departmental Policies and Procedures.
24. Other duties as assigned.
SCOPE OF SUPERVISION:
This position has no supervisory duties.
EQUIPMENT OPERATED:
Vehicle, computer, printer, telephone, copier, fax machine, microfilm equipment, calculator, other general office equipment, PassPoint, Breathalyzer.
CONTACT WITH OTHERS:
Offenders/defendants; family members of offenders/defendants; victims; employers; attorneys; other Courts; Judges; bailiffs; law enforcement agencies; Children’s Services; treatment program agencies; Department of Human Services; general public.
CONFIDENTIAL DATA:
Court records which include criminal records, psychological records, urinalysis records, military records, crisis care recommendations, presentence investigation reports, Courtview records, mental health and chemical dependency assessments, and progress reports. Shall adhere to the Ohio Revised Code regarding confidentiality of probation records [149.43(A)].
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Good working conditions when working in the office. When working in the field, employee is exposed to conditions within probationers’ home, employment and high crime areas. Possibility of exposure to hepatitis and bloodborne disease from contact with offenders and urinalysis samples. Possible exposure to risk of injury from physical assault. Occasional exposure to inclement weather.
USUAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The following physical demands are typically exhibited by position incumbents performing this job’s essential duties and responsibilities. These physical demands are not, and should not be construed to be job qualification standards, but are illustrated to help the employer, employee and/or applicant identify tasks where reasonable accommodations may need to be made when an otherwise qualified person is unable to perform the job’s essential duties because of an ADA disability.
While performing duties of this job, the employee frequently sits for extended periods of time, and occasionally stands and walks. Job can involve operating and sitting in a vehicle for periods of time. Employee converses verbally with others in person and by telephone. Vision demands include normal vision requirements but can include viewing of computer screen requiring close focus.
RECRUITMENT REQUIREMENTS:
An appropriate combination of education, training, course work and experience may qualify an applicant to demonstrate required knowledge, skills, and abilities. An example of an acceptable qualification: Associate’s Degree or equivalent training, experience or education in psychology, sociology, social work, rehabilitation, criminal justice or related field. Ability to document identity and employment eligibility within three (3) days of original appointment as a condition of employment in compliance with Immigration Reform and Control Act requirements.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS:
Knowledge of: Counseling; social work; corrections; Ohio Revised Code as it pertains to probation functions; court system procedures and processes; criminal justice system; universal precautions for control of bloodborne pathogens; Criminal Justice Services policies and procedures.
Ability to: Maintain good public relations as Court representative; establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates and job contacts; establish rapport with defendants/offenders of various social and economic backgrounds; perform under stress when confronted with an emergency, critical, unusual or dangerous situation; work with resistant clients; maintain confidentiality of sensitive information; and establish caseload priorities.
Skill in: Interviewing offenders/defendants, victims and others; completing statistical and essay reports; data input; operation of a computer; application of job software programs; evidence-based safety; analyzing data; and preparing behavior modification programs; listening.
LICENSE REQUIREMENT(S):
A valid State of Ohio Motor Vehicle Operator s License is required in order to carry out job-related essential functions. If candidate does not possess an Ohio driver’s license, he/she has thirty (30) days from date of hire to obtain one.
Web Address:
You can obtain a Montgomery County Common Pleas Court, General Division, application at www.montcourt.oh.gov. Application:
Applicants are required to complete the Montgomery County Common Pleas Court, General Division, application which must be received by Human Resources no later than 4:30 p.m. on the closing date.
Employment Eligibility Information:
In accordance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, all persons hired after November 6, 1986, are required to present to the Court, within three (3) days of their original appointment, original documents which show satisfactory proof of: 1) identity and 2) U.S. Citizenship or a legal right to work permanently in the United States.
Drug Testing, Physical & Criminal Background Check:
Prior to any candidate being offered a position or promotion with the Montgomery County Common Pleas Court, General Division, they will be required to submit to a drug test (urinalysis) and physical at the Court s selected health care provider. Additionally, candidates being offered a position or promotion must pass a criminal background check.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
It is the policy of the Montgomery County Common Pleas Court, General Division, that no person shall be subjected to employment discrimination because of age, race, color, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, religion, ancestry or national origin.
The Montgomery County Common Pleas Court, General Division, will provide reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities during the application, examination or selection process, if requested. Please notify Human Resources at 937-225-6161of the accommodations needed, preferably at the time of application, but no later than two days prior to the date needed.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY COMMON PLEAS COURT, GENERAL DIVISION BENEFITS
Vacation Leave:
Vacation leave may be granted to full-time employees upon completion of one year of service with the Montgomery County Common Pleas Court, General Division. Twenty-six (26) bi-weekly pay periods in active status shall constitute one year of service.
Sick Leave:
All Montgomery County Common Pleas Court, General Division employees are entitled to Paid Personal Leave/Long Term Sick Leave credit.
Holidays:
Montgomery County Common Pleas Court, General Division, employees enjoy paid holidays.
Health Benefits/Medical Coverage:
As a full-time annual employee, you are eligible for health insurance coverage for you and your family.
Life Insurance:
All benefit eligible employees of the Montgomery County Common Pleas Court, General Division, receive a $50,000 basic life insurance policy paid by Montgomery County. Supplemental life insurance is available for purchase.
Retirement:
Montgomery County Common Pleas Court, General Division, employees participate in the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS). Employees contribute 10% of their salary; the Court contributes 14%.
In Addition:
The Montgomery County Common Pleas Court, General Division, offers its employees an Employee Assistance Program, access to a credit union, a Deferred Compensation Program, a Wellness Program, and direct payroll deposit. This Position Description in no manner states or implies that these are the only duties and responsibilities to be performed by the employee filling this position. The employee may be required to follow additional instructions and perform other duties required by the employee’s supervisor or designee. The provisions of this Position Description do not constitute a contract, expressed or implied, and any provision contained in this Description may be modified or revoked without notice.
