Probation Officer

Incumbent serves as Probation Officer for LaGrange Superior Court, responsible for conducting pre-sentence investigations, making recommendations to the Court, and supervising probationers for enforcement of Court orders and probation terms. 

DUTIES:

• Conducts preliminary and pre-sentence investigations and prepares reports of probationers' personal data for the Court, including criminal, social and substance abuse histories.
• Supervises, monitors and assists probationers in complying with court-imposed probation conditions, including reviewing and signing rules of probation, administering drug screens, conducting home and employment verification checks, and monitoring probationers in programs such as alcohol treatment, mental health counseling, and community service.
• Maintains accurate records of all cases investigated or assigned by the Court and furnishes records and reports to the Court upon request.      Assists Court with sentencing alternatives and community corrections.
• Cooperates with public and private agencies and assists individuals on probation in obtaining needed services from appropriate public or private treatment and/or welfare agencies.
• Testifies before the Court regarding probationer's character, attitude and/or behavior, and informs the Court of probationer's status regarding compliance with terms of probation, recommending modifications and/or legal action as necessary.
• Maintains frequent communication with various individuals/agencies regarding assigned probationers, including attorneys, Prosecutor, counselors, crime victims, courts, and law enforcement personnel.
• Collects and disburses money from probationers according to the order of the Court and maintains accurate and complete accounts of monetary collections and disbursements.
• Conducts criminal records checks for out-of-county Probation departments as requested.  Serves as Probation Officer for clients transferred from other counties, completing reports and evaluations as required.  Maintains contact with Probation Officers in other counties to assess offenders transferred out of LaGrange County jurisdiction.
• Answers telephone, determining nature of call, providing information and assistance, taking messages and/or directing calls to appropriate individual or department.
• Maintains current knowledge of applicable local, state and federal laws, rules and regulations by researching and consulting a variety of legal codes and reference manuals, attending annual State Probation Officer Conference, and completing other professional development workshops, training, and education.
• Serves on-call and responds to emergencies on a 24-hour basis.
• Performs related duties as assigned and/or required by law.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Baccalaureate Degree in Criminal Justice, Social or Behavioral Sciences, or related field.
• State certification as Probation Officer with continuing completion of all certification requirements.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Ability to meet all Department hiring requirements, including passage of a written exam and a drug test.
• Thorough knowledge of all local, state, and federal laws applicable to probation operations, with ability to apply and enforce regulations as needed.
• Working knowledge of standard policies and practices of LaGrange County legal process and probation system, with ability to accurately complete required legal reports, make recommendations to the Court, and apply and adapt procedures as cases demand.
• Working knowledge of treatment programs and services available to clients from government, social, and private agencies, with ability to make referrals and assist clients with programs as needed.
• Working knowledge of standard office procedures and Department computer software programs, with ability to apply such knowledge to a variety of interrelated processes, tasks and operations.
• Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling and punctuation, and ability to prepare Department forms/documents/reports within established deadlines.
• Working knowledge of universal health precautions and bloodborne pathogens control, and ability to apply such knowledge to protect oneself against infection.
• Knowledge of standard filing systems and ability to create and maintain Department files.
• Considerable knowledge of community geography and ability to effectively monitor and/or locate probationers, verify and document compliance with program requirements, and take appropriate action in response to violations.
• Ability to perform essential functions of the position without posing a direct threat to the health and safety of self and other individuals in the workplace.
• Ability to properly operate standard office and field equipment, such as computer, typewriter, calculator, telephone/cell phone, copier, fax machine, camera, urine screen equipment, drug/narcotic identification kit, fingerprint equipment, breathalyzer and tear gas/mace.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, other County departments, law enforcement agencies, Courts, Child Protective Services, treatment providers, offenders, and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities, and disabilities.
• Ability to provide public access to or maintain confidentiality of department information and records according to state requirements.
• Ability to comply with all employer and department policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.
• Ability to competently serve the public with diplomacy and respect, including occasional encounters with hostile/violent persons.
• Ability to deal swiftly, rationally, and decisively with potentially violent individuals in precarious situations, take authoritative action, and apply appropriate discretion and common sense.
• Ability to speak clearly and distinctly, hear and be heard and understood when communicating in person, by radio, or by telephone.
• Ability to understand, memorize, retain and follow oral and written instructions.
• Ability to compile, analyze and evaluate data, make determinations, and present findings in oral or written form.
• Ability to work alone with minimum supervision and with others in a team environment, often under pressure from formal schedules and deadlines, and on several tasks at the same time.
• Ability to apply knowledge of people and locations, plan/layout work assignments, and make simple arithmetic calculations.
• Ability to prepare and deliver speeches, develop news releases/articles and effectively communicate with news media.
• Ability to maintain condition of assigned department vehicle, equipment, and/or uniform.
• Ability to provide testimony in legal proceedings/court.
• Ability to regularly work extended and irregular hours, evenings and/or weekends, and occasionally travel out of town for training/conferences, sometimes overnight.
• Ability to serve on-call and respond to emergencies on a 24-hour basis.
• Possession of a valid Indiana driver’s license and demonstrated safe driving record.

DIFFICULTY OF WORK:

• Incumbent performs a wide variety of duties that are broad in scope and impact and require consideration of many complex variables and their interrelationships.  Guidelines are detailed and well established, requiring independent judgment in interpreting and adapting to individual cases and circumstances and ensuring proper attainment of probationary conditions and laws.

RESPONSIBILITY:

• Incumbent works according to standard Department policies and procedures and standard practices of the profession, exercising judgment in determining disposition of assigned probationers.  Incumbent refers to supervisor unusual or unprecedented situations, such as policy interpretations, unclear legal codes or problems with probation clients.  Work is periodically reviewed for soundness of judgment and compliance with Department policy and legal requirements. 

PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:

• Incumbent maintains frequent contact with co-workers, other County departments, law enforcement agencies, Courts, Child Protective Services, treatment providers, offenders, and the public for purposes of exchanging information, explaining policies/procedures and problem solving.
• Incumbent reports directly to Chief Probation Officer. 

PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Incumbent performs duties in a standard office environment, involving sitting/walking at will, sitting/standing/walking for long periods, keyboarding, lifting/carrying objects weighing less than 25 pounds, speaking clearly, and hearing sounds/communication.  Incumbent maintains regular contact with probationers and is regularly exposed to irate/hostile individuals and/or physical violence.
• Incumbent regularly works extended or irregular hours, evenings and/or weekends and occasionally travels out of town for training/conferences, sometimes overnight.  Incumbent serves on-call and responds to emergencies on a 24-hour basis.