Assistant Probation Officer - JSC Facility

Dakota County; Hastings (MN); On-site; USD 59,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Dakota County in Hastings, MN seeks an Assistant Probation Officer to supervise youth in a secure Juvenile Services Center and support treatment plans within a 24‑hour facility.

The role includes preparing progress notes, incident reports, and collaborating with a treatment team to promote safety and progress toward goals.

Qualifications

• Must have an associate degree or equivalent and one year in corrections or related human services field.
• Three years experience in corrections or related settings; combination of education and experience acceptable.
• Valid driver’s license and First Aid/CPR within 6 months of hire; background check required.

Responsibilities

• Provide direct services to groups of residents (max 8) and monitor facility rules.
• Guide residents toward case-plan goals during the day and facilitate programming.
• Use evidence-based practices like cognitive-behavioral groups and motivational interviewing.
• Complete daily client notes and monthly progress reports.
• Respond promptly to questions from residents, guardians, and Dakota County staff.
• Maintain safety and security within the Juvenile Services Center and operate control center.
• Prepare clients for court and assist with intake processes.

Skills

Safety awareness

Crisis de-escalation

Motivational interviewing

Group facilitation

Documentation

Communication

Education

Associate degree or higher

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

MNCIS

CJIIN

CSTS

Microsoft Office

Job description

General Description
POSTING TYPE: Open Competitive
DEPARTMENT: Community Corrections
HOURS: Full-time
HIRING RANGE: $58,606- $65,932/annually
FULL SALARY RANGE: $58,606- $91,571 Annually (106 Salary Grade)
LOCATION: Juvenile Services Center (Hastings, MN)
UNION: AFSCME 450
CLOSE DATE: continuous with first review of applicants on 9/30/2026
THIS RECRUITMENT REQUIRES THE COMPLETION OF SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS WHICH MUST BE RECEIVED WITH THE APPLICATION. RESUMES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED FOR THIS RECRUITMENT.
Community Corrections’ Mission Statement: To transform lives, promote equity and increase community safety.
Community Corrections' Diversity and Inclusion Mission Statement: As a system we are committed to dismantling institutional racism and healing historical trauma. We are moving forward as a place where inclusion, respect, acceptance, growth and teaching are expected. We will recognize our individualities. We will listen to every voice, recognize our biases, and grow towards a more equitable and inclusive culture. We will help each other learn by modeling, teaching and listening.
The facility-based Assistant Probation Officer position works within the Dakota County Juvenile Services Center’s 24 hour secured juvenile detention facility and is responsible for providing direct supervision to clients for the purpose of ensuring a safe environment, meeting case-plan goals, preparing progress notes and incident reports while working as part of a treatment team.
This position may include days, evenings, overnights, weekends, and holidays as scheduled. Day and evening staff work a 4 day on, 2 day off rotation. Overnight staff work a 6 day on, 3 day off rotation.
Currently we have multiple Assistant Probation Officer openings. This list may also be used to fill future Assistant Probation Officer openings for a period of up to one year.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be 21 years of age or older to be consider for this position.
• Associate's degree or equivalent of two years post-secondary education in Corrections, Counseling, Criminal Justice, Education, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, or related Human Services field AND one year experience in Corrections, Human Services Treatment Programs, or related experience.
• Three years experience in Corrections, Human Services Treatment Programs, or related experience.
• Combination of education and experience to equal three or more years.

Required License(s)

• Valid driver's license required
• First Aid/CPR certificate within 6 months of hire. Training is provided.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Corrections, Counseling, Criminal Justice, Education, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, or related Human Services field.

To be eligible for hire, an applicant must successfully complete a background check and meet the criminal history background criteria required to access certain networks/systems necessary to perform the essential functions of this position. The law and/or County policy will disqualify applicants with a particular criminal history background from employment in this position.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide and manage direct services to clients as a group (max of 8 per Assistant Probation Officer). Monitor resident’s compliance with facility rules. Assist youth in completing their case plan goals during the day.
• Facilitate client programming throughout the day/evening including recreation, cognitive groups, meals and schooling. Utilize Evidence Based Practices of cognitive-behavioral groups including Skillstreaming, Truthought, Carey Guides and Decision Points.
• Employ Motivational Interviewing to de-escalate clients in crisis in a safe manner.
• Complete daily client notes and monthly reports.
• Complete on time well-being checks using an electronic device.
• Respond in a timely and respectful manner to residents/guardians, victims, and Dakota County service's questions as well as concerns.
• Consistently maintain the safety and security of the JSC to include monitoring and observing clients throughout the day. This includes providing effective interventions and using safety equipment as well as trained control tactic restraints with appropriate use of force.
• Staff the Control Center to include monitoring all program activities in the JSC, communicating emergencies effectively, controlling movement of all persons in the JSC secure facility, monitoring the alarm systems, answering incoming phone calls, and controlling facility keys.
• Ready clients for court and assist in the intake process.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 1-9

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities And Work Environment

• Knowledge of general and specific safety and security issues of detainment including appropriate use of force.
• Knowledge of individual and group social behavior.
• Ability to perform basic safety and security skills.
• Knowledge of DHS rules/Correctional Reporting Statues.
• Knowledge of data privacy practices.
• Knowledge and understanding of ethnic diversities.
• Knowledge of victims' rights (i.e. MN Reparations Board).
• Knowledge of Evidence Based Practices in probation including assessment, case planning, and cognitive interventions.
• Knowledge of effective client treatment and change. Skills and ability to demonstrate appropriate empathy, fairness, and a non-confrontational approach with the ability to set and maintain client limits.
• Ability to work independently and as a team member within department policies and procedures.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and written.
• Investigative and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective professional working relationships with clients, coworkers, law enforcement officials, judges and treatment facilities.
• Knowledge of and the ability to operate several complex computer systems such as CJIIN, , CSTS, MNCIS, Microsoft Office.
• Ability to advise people in crisis situations and make appropriate decisions leading to crisis resolution.
• Ability to prioritize work according to client and agency need.
• Knowledge of Integrated Services Delivery and the ability to assess a person's social, economic, educational, mental health, and physical health needs and make necessary referrals.
• Ability to utilize motivational interviewing, group facilitation, and victim empathy skills.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is performed within the juvenile detention center. All positions have a lifting requirement of up to 20 pounds on an occasional basis and 10 pounds on a frequent basis. Some positions have a lifting requirement of up to 50 pounds on an occasional basis and 20 pounds on a frequent basis. Employees may be exposed to hazardous materials such as chemicals, blood and other body fluids and exposure to intense noise may occur. Equipment used may include, but is not limited to, computer, scanner, printer, calculator, telephone, BCA, restraint chair, handcuffs, EHM and GPS equipment, UA collection materials, CSTS, MNCIS, camera and copy machines.

Pursuant to Dakota County Policy and Procedures Manual Section 3240 (13), this position is designated as Safety Sensitive.

SELECTION PROCESS

The examination/selection process for this classification will consist of a rating of your training and experience from the application materials submitted. The top scoring candidates will be forwarded to the hiring department for further consideration.

Dakota County is committed to creating a diverse workforce and welcomes qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, familial status, national origin, genetics, disability, or age.

Visit our Benefits site for more information.