Chief Probation Officer IV

State of Colorado; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Colorado Judicial Department seeks a Chief Probation Officer to lead the Denver District Court Adult Probation, directing the operations of the probation department and implementing strategic policies with judges and probation staff.

The role requires graduation from an accredited college with a bachelor’s in a related field and five years of probation/administrative leadership experience; an advanced degree is preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Sociology, Psychology, Social Work or related field and five years experience in probation, parole, or related area.
• Five years of professional, administrative, supervisory, or management experience required; advanced degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Supervises and directs probation employees including Probation Supervisors and Officers.
• Administers the probation department for the Colorado Judicial Department.
• Develops and manages the department budget, purchasing, and accounting functions.
• Leads design, acquisition, and implementation of automation for court processes and proceedings.
• Oversees facility maintenance and space needs to ensure safe, well-equipped work environment.
• Coordinates with judges, county officials, and external agencies; maintains effective interagency relationships.
• Provides orientation, training, mentoring, and coaching to subordinates; facilitates external training.
• Reports to the Chief Judge and participates in policy development with judges and probation staff.
• Attends meetings and training as required; performs other duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership and people mgmt

Budgeting and fiscal oversight

Policy development

Communication and collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s in CJ/related field

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

The Judicial Department works to provide equal access to justice, contribute to public safety, and strengthen the rule of law across Colorado. Together our courts and probation departments are committed to impartial and timely dispute resolution; support for families, litigants, and victims; client rehabilitation; and meaningful community engagement.

General Statement Of Duties:

Administers the operations of a Probation Department for the Colorado Judicial Department.

Distinguishing Factors:

Chief Probation Officer is distinguished from a Deputy Chief Probation Officer by directing the operation of an entire Probation Department for a Judicial District. The Chief Probation Officer reports directly to the Chief Judge. The Chief Probation Officer is a classified, non-certified position that is considered at-will and may be terminated at any time with or without cause.

The crit erion to determine the Chief Probation Officer’s classification level is based on the FTE of Judicial Officers within the district per Court Services verification and the number of counties within the district. The weighting for the score is 25% for counties and 75% for Judicial Officer FTE.

The point factor and level salary information is as follows:

Counties: 25% of total score (points x 1 factor)

1 to 2 = 1 point;

3 to 4 = 2 points;

5 to 6 = 3 points;

7 or more = 4 points

Judicial Officer FTE: 75% of total score (points x 3 factor)

1 to 8 = 1 point;

9 to 16 = 2 points;

17 to 24 = 3 points;

25 or more = 4 points

Chief Probation Officer & Court Executive I- 0-5 points

Chief Probation Officer & Court Executive II- 6-9 points

Chief Probation Officer & Court Executive III- 10-12 points

Chief Probation Officer & Court Executive IV- 13+ points

An upgrade in classification level will occur if the points calculated based on the two factors increases to the next level. Should the district's points fall below the current incumbent's classification level, the classification will remain frozen until the position is vacated, or the points meet the qualifications of the current classification. Court Executives who administer more than one district shall have points for each district added together to determine the level of classification.

This position serves Denver District Court Adult Probation and is anticipated to be filled on or before January 1, 2027.

A résumé and cover letter are required as part of the application process. Applications submitted without both documents may not be considered.

Essential Functions:

Supervises and directs probation employees including Probation Supervisors, Probation Officers and other administrative staff for the department.

Administers a probation department for the Colorado Judicial Department.

Confers with staff on casework techniques and specific case situations.

Responsible for developing and managing the budget, purchasing and accounting functions. Authorizes expenditures.

Participates in the design, acquisition, and implementation of automation for court processes and proceedings.

Provides for facility maintenance and space needs, ensuring that staff has adequate equipment and a safe working environment.

Disseminates and ensures compliance of all laws, rules, and directives pertaining to the activities of the probation department.

Develops and implements policies and procedures in conjunction with judges and probation staff for the district probation department. Implements policy changes from the State Court Administrator’s Office and Chief Justice Directives.

Coordinates the activities of the department and maintains effective working relationships with judges, County Commissioners, the State Court Administrator's Office, other units, the bar association, law enforcement agencies, public and private social service agencies, and community resources.

Establishes expectations and provides employee performance feedback on an on-going and annual basis. Assists subordinates in establishing performance and professional goals. Evaluates subordinates' goal achievement through conferences, informal meetings, and annual performance appraisal.

Provides for orientation and on-going training, mentoring and coaching to existing subordinates. Makes provisions for subordinates to attend outside training. May provide cross-training and interdepartmental training.

Appraises the Chief Judge on all administrative matters.

Attends meetings and training as required.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisor Responsibilities:

Responsible for overall direction and supervision of a probation department.

Responsible for developing/implementing strategic decisions and final recommendations for the department or organizational unit or an organizational unit with multiple components.

Develop overall purpose and strategy for the department, develop or modify programs, and allocate human and other resources to meet strategic goals.

Generally responsible for organizational policy, general directives, and overall programmatic goals and objectives.

Requires integration of various programs to meet objectives, and decisions are frequently made and implemented under conditions of uncertainty.

Decisions normally focus on long term direction more than on daily management.

Requires a high degree of effectiveness in securing understanding and cooperation of multiple departments or interests.

Often involved in controversial matters at a high level.

Minimum Education:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree with major course work preferably in Criminal Justice, Sociology, Psychology, Social Work or related field and five years of experience with probation, parole, or like experience, and a minimum of five years of professional, administrative, supervisory, or management experience is required. Advanced degree preferred.

Upon hire and as a condition of continued employment, the employee must:

• Complete the Basic Safety course as per state policy,
• Individuals assigned field supervision responsibilities must successfully complete the Defensive Tactics course as per state policy.
• Complete Mandatory New Employee Training required by the Colorado Judicial Department.
• Complete all other trainings as required by Colorado Probation policies and standards.
• Complete the Orientation to Supervision/Management Course offered by the Division of Probation Services within 2 years of hire.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands and fingers and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. This position is subject to varying and unpredictable situations; may handle emergency or crisis situations; is subject to many interruptions; may handle multiple calls and inquiries simultaneously; and may occasionally handle absentee replacement on short notice.

Licenses and Certifications:

None.

The Colorado Judicial Department is committed to ensuring equal access to and full participation in court and probation services and programs for qualified individuals with disabilities, including employees of the Colorado Judicial Department. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is an important part of our culture, and we are committed to provide reasonable accommodations when needed without causing undue hardship to the Colorado Judicial Department.

Each district has an ADA Coordinator and Jury Commissioner. The ADA Coordinator is responsible for initiating the interactive process once an employee, court or probation services participant has made a request for reasonable accommodation and the Jury Commissioner is responsible for initiating the interactive process once a juror has made a request for a reasonable accommodation.