PAROLE AND PROBATION AGENT I

Maryland AG; Northern (KY); On-site; USD 52,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services seeks a Parole/Probation Agent to supervise individuals in the community, ensuring compliance with conditions and advancing safety. The role includes investigations, reporting, referrals, and collaboration with resources for victims and offenders.

Qualifications include a bachelor’s degree with 30 credits in relevant sciences. Training and certification are required, with duties spanning courts, ICOTS, and interviews to support

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with 30 credits in the social, behavioral or correctional sciences.
• Experience: None; substitution options described in the ad.
• Willingness to interact directly with supervised individuals across multiple environments.

Responsibilities

• Provide proactive community supervision of supervised individuals and report findings.
• Conduct investigations, testing and referrals and coordinate with community resources.
• Maintain records, conduct home visits, court documentation, and testimony as required.

Skills

Interview techniques

Communication skills

Case management

Education

Bachelor's degree with 30 credits social/behavioral/correctional sciences

Tools

Windows-based Applications

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Zoom / Google Suite / Microsoft Teams

Job description

Introduction

If you are looking for an exciting career with great benefits, pension, generous leave, competitive salary, and the opportunity for advancement and professional growth, the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) is seeking dedicated candidates to fill important roles within our department. We are one of the largest departments in Maryland with nearly 12,000 employees and a budget of more than $1 billion. In order to fulfill our mission of promoting safety, we have increased security at our institutions while leading the way in innovative restorative justice projects that will help offenders reintegrate into society upon release. As a member of the DPSCS team, you can have a fulfilling career, while also enjoying a wide range of benefits such as medical and dental coverage, paid time off (i.e. vacation, sick leave), becoming vested in the State pension, supplemental retirement options, and even joining the Maryland State Employees Credit Union.

Grade

ASTD13

Location of Position

STATEWIDE. Positions are located throughout the State of Maryland.

Position Duties

College degree/transcripts showing 30 credit hours in the social, behavioral or correctional sciences must be submitted at the time of application to be considered.

The main purpose of this position is making Maryland safer through proactive community supervision of supervised individuals using a strategy that focuses on criminogenic needs. This includes investigating and reporting, testing and referring individuals under supervision, identifying and partnering with community resources, informing and supporting victims of crime and collecting ordered monies. Provides ongoing supervision of supervised individuals through regular check-ins, home visits, and community contacts, ensuring compliance with program expectations and continuity of services.

• Communicates in person, by telephone, or by written correspondence with supervised individuals and others, using motivational interviewing techniques in a variety of settings during the supervision period.
• Creates and uses a comprehensive supervision case plan that outlines the strategies, interventions, sanctions, incentives and services and available resources to produce a successful outcome.
• Contacts shall be made in accordance with evidence-based strategies in accordance with Agency policy and procedures; analyze, interpret and assess case information to assess supervised individuals risk, stages of change, and identify criminogenic needs.
• Uses tools, to include Global Positioning System (GPS) monitoring, along with training and experience, to ensure compliance with conditions of supervision and/or to maintain the supervised individual in the community, minimizing risk to the public.
• Participates in training programs required by the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission to maintain Parole and Probation Agent certification. Investigative requirements include gathering all relevant and required information, documenting all interviews and contacts, assessing the supervised individual’s risk to public safety and needs for a successful integration into the community, providing a timely assessment of the individual to the requesting authority, and making an appropriate recommendation in accordance with evidence-based practices, agency policies and procedures.
• Creates and maintains an official record to document case activity on supervised individuals, including those managed through Interstate Compact Offender Tracking System (ICOTS) according to Agency policies and procedures and using available technology. Produces documents to communicate information regarding supervised individuals to the courts, Parole Commission or related agencies, and to recommend appropriate action.
• Attends hearings in various courts or correctional institutions throughout the State in order to visually identify supervised individuals, to produce documents, to testify from official records regarding supervised individuals, and make sentencing recommendations to the courts and Parole Commission.
• Obtains samples (breath/mouth/saliva, urine, etc.) from supervised individuals and/or test results to detect use of alcohol and/or drugs to ensure compliance with conditions of supervision. Assesses progress in reaching the goals of the supervision case plan.
• Demonstrates the ability to successfully complete various assignments to meet the changing needs of the agency or unit, such as identifying community resources, handling general office assignments in the absence of others, or as directed by the supervisor.
• Demonstrates responsiveness to victims and sensitivity to their needs and concerns. Assists in identifying resources available to victims.
• Work involves special physical demands such as lifting 50 pounds or more, climbing ladders, etc.

Work Conditions

• Exposure to uncomfortable or unpleasant surroundings.
• Exposure to hazardous conditions which may result injury.
• Use of protective equipment such as goggles, gloves, mask, etc.

Employees must pass annual recertification, which includes the physical demands required for self-defensive tactics. Should an employee need to deploy such tactics in self-defense, the physical demands of doing so are expected.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with 30 credits in the social, behavioral or correctional sciences.
• Experience: None.
• Candidates may substitute one year of specialized experience counseling, investigating or supervising persons on parole or probation for the 30 semester credit hours in the social, behavioral or correctional sciences.
• Candidates may substitute graduate level education at an accredited college or university in the social, behavioral or correctional sciences for one year of the required experience at a rate of 30 credits for one year of experience.

Desired or Preferred Qualifications

• A bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice, Psychology, Sociology or Social Work.
• Experience with Windows-based Applications (e.g., Microsoft Word, Excel,) virtual communication tools (e.g., Zoom, Google Suite, and Microsoft Teams) and other technologies that support case management and organizational tasks.
• Must be willing to provide direct interaction with supervised individuals across multiple environments, including office settings, community-based locations, and home visits.

Licenses, Registrations and Certifications

Employees in these classifications may be assigned duties that require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

Special Requirements

1. Employees in this classification are subject to call-in 24 hours a day and, therefore, will be required to provide a telephone number at which they can be reached.
2. Candidates must meet all selection standards as set forth in the Code of Maryland Regulations by the Maryland Correctional Training Commission. Candidates who receive a probationary appointment must satisfactorily complete a prescribed training program prior to permanent appointment. Selection standards of the Correctional Training Commission may be obtained from the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, Suite 309, 6776 Reisterstown Road, Baltimore Maryland 21215.

Selection Process

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.

Examination Process

The assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position. It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all experience and education that is related to this position.

Benefits

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining, and promoting employees who are reflective of the State's diversity.

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.