Job Description

POSITION: Probation Officer

DEPARTMENT: Probate Court

WORK SCHEDULE: As assigned

JOB CATEGORY: SO (Special Occupation)

SALARY: Per Indiana Probation Officer Salary Schedule

STATUS: Full-Time

FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required. St. Joseph County provides reasonable accommodations to qualified employees and applicants with known disabilities who require accommodation to complete the application process or perform essential functions of the job unless those accommodations would present an undue hardship.

Incumbent serves as Probation Officer for St. Joseph Probate Court, responsible for conducting preliminary inquiries, pre-disposition investigations with defendants, making recommendations to the courts, and supervising probation clients for enforcement of court orders and probation terms.

Benefits  

Affordable Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans

Paid Time Off (PTO) with generous accruals

Employer Paid Life Insurance coverage

Short-Term and Long-Term Disability (STD/LTD)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for healthcare and dependent care

Gym Membership Discounts to encourage wellness

Employer-Funded PERF (Public Employees' Retirement Fund)

Access to additional voluntary benefits and resources

Responsibilities  

All probation officers are expected to make decisions and act in accordance with departmental policies and procedures, maintaining a full caseload and in addition, performing all duties required by the Chief of Staff, their direct report, the Chief Probation Officer, or other members of the administrative team. 

• Process all assigned Preliminary Inquires in a timely fashion, and in accordance with department policy.
• Assure that all approved recommendations are completed.
• Handle intake calls and/or walk-ins.
• Respond to requests from police agencies for detention and authorize such requests in accordance with statute and departmental policies.
• Present probable cause information to the Court at detention hearings and make recommendations to the Court regarding ‘release or detain’ decisions.
• Coordinate treatment of Detainees needs for medical care, counseling, psychological testing.
• Complete IYAS Risk Assessment.
• Prepare pre-dispositional reports on assigned cases.
• Supervise clients on formal and informal probation in accordance with the Risk Classification of each client.
• Testify at Waiver Hearings.
• Provide information to the Court and make recommendations at all expedited hearings.
• Check records for probation and police agencies and the US Armed Forces.
• Provide technical assistance to police regarding juvenile referrals.
• Transport juveniles when necessary to court, shelter care, for medical appointments, and to private placements.
• Work with community agencies regarding clients and their families.
• Any and all other duties as assigned

Qualifications  

• Pass the State of Indiana Probation Officers examination within six months of employment.
• Have a valid driver’s license, a vehicle and automobile insurance.
• Have prior experience working with and relating to juveniles and parents.
• Possess communication skills, both oral and written, commensurate with a four-year college degree.
• Be available to answer emergency calls and deal with client crisis after normal working hours and on weekends; this requires a working home telephone.
• Respond to all after-hours calls for a one-week period approximately four or five times a year.
• Comply with the State Standards to be a certified probation officer. 

Education/Experience  

• Baccalaureate degree from an accredited College required. Degree in Criminal Justice preferred. However, Social Work, Sociology, Psychology or related field accepted.
• Minimum of one year experience in Criminal Justice or working with youth preferred.
• Knowledge of the fundamentals of supervisory duties and good interpersonal communication skills. 

Physical Requirements  

Work is generally performed in an office environment; however, the adjacent detention center personnel call on probation staff to assist with crisis that may put one in a dangerous or unpredictable situation. Home visits may also involve some risks in that all neighborhoods of the county are not equally receptive to probation services. Furthermore, probation staff may be the object of threats and/or violence from dissatisfied clients and their families.

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