Probation Officer

County of Lancaster; United States; On-site; USD 52,913 - 64,671; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

The County of Lancaster seeks a Probation Officer who will administer criminal justice and supervise medium to high-risk individuals on probation or parole. This role involves developing intervention strategies, interviewing offenders, and ensuring legal accountability while working closely with the judicial system.

A bachelor's degree in psychology, social work, or a related field is essential, along with strong communication, planning, and community resource identification skills. The position offers comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree program is required.
• Completion of coursework in relevant fields.
• Combination of education and experience acceptable.

Responsibilities

• Interview assigned offenders to determine compliance and progress.
• Develop and implement intervention strategies.
• Assist in locating offenders in case of violations.
• Prepare case records and attend court appearances.

Skills

Knowledge of individual and group behavior

Counseling methods for adult offenders

Principles of the criminal justice system

Communication skills

Planning and documentation skills

Community resource identification

Time management

Computer proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in psychology, social work, criminal justice, or related field

Job description

Compensation

Starting Compensation: $58,792.50 annually.

Job Summary

This position involves the administration of criminal justice, supervising individuals on probation or parole who are assessed as medium to high risk of recidivism, as identified through the administration of an actuarial risk assessment tool. Work is accomplished through the assignment of a caseload of individuals for which the employee is responsible. As an appointed representative of the Court, this employee is responsible to provide legal accountability through enforcement, intervention, and redirection as required/needed by each client on probation/parole supervision.

Reporting Relationships

This position reports directly to a Supervisor in Adult Probation and Parole Services.

Essential Job Functions

• 30% Interview assigned offenders in office, prison, home, and employment settings to determine compliance with supervision directives, problems encountered, progress in applicable programs, and any other particular circumstances. Interview offender’s family members, friends, associates, co-workers, and other knowledgeable individuals to verify information.
• 15% Develop and implement intervention strategies necessary to reduce or eliminate offender’s criminal behavior, determine the type and extent of counseling, treatment, rehabilitation, and other supports needed; coordinate support and treatment services between service providers and the Office of Adult Probation and Parole; develop and participate in short and long-range goals and plans including treatment services, supervision requirements, and support networks.
• 10% Complete required documentation both within and for related agencies.
• 15% Assist in locating and handling offenders in instances of parole violations and/or subsequent offenses. Prepare summaries of case records and history, including recommendations for continued and/or changes to treatment. Schedule actions and work required by terms of status, including court dates, hearings, and evaluations. Attend court appearances to provide requested information and secure documents.
• 10% Review available records of past criminal history, psychological or psychiatric evaluations, diagnostic testing, employment, and related psycho-social information.
• 10% Re-assess overall status of offenders through use of a risk/needs assessment tool and evaluate for specific intervention/treatment needs. Identify behavior patterns and adaptive skills.
• 10% Regularly attend mandatory and additional training in the areas of safety, self defense, related human service areas, and for full/up-to-date proficiency in the use of computers, as required by job duties. Employee will learn arrest skills and become involved in offender detentions.

Other Specific Tasks or Duties

Performs related work as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education requirement is completion of a bachelor’s degree program with coursework in psychology, social work, criminal justice or closely related field, or any combination of the minimum acceptable education and experience which has provided the knowledge, skills and abilities cited below.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of characteristics of individual and group behavior, particularly that of individuals involved with criminal activities and/or anti-social behavior.
• Knowledge of methods and techniques used in counseling adult offenders.
• Basic knowledge of the principles and policies of the criminal justice system, including statutes, rules, and regulations.
• Ability to learn the specific operations, practices, and procedures of probation and parole supervision, as it applies to treatment, counseling, and rehabilitation.
• Ability to communicate effectively with offenders, their associates, members of the Judiciary, co-workers, representatives of other agencies, and the public.
• Ability to identify and locate available community resources dealing with issues affecting offenders.
• Ability to plan, document, and carry out all steps necessary to implement treatment intervention strategies.
• Ability to maintain accurate and complete caseload records for use by others.
• Ability to plan, organize, and manage time with efficiency and effectiveness.
• Proficiency in the use of, or willingness to learn, computers and software applications, as required by job duties.

Required Licenses/ Certifications / Clearances

The candidate must pass a background investigation as required by Act 57 of 2020, 44 Pa. C.S. § 7301 et seq., and regulated by 37 Pa. Code § 241.5; a Pennsylvania Child Abuse History clearance, psychological evaluation, pre-employment physical examination, credit check, driver history check, and a drug/alcohol screening. Please be advised that 44 Pa. C.S. § 7310 and 37 Pa. Code § 241.6(1) also requires candidates to sign a waiver allowing Lancaster County Human Resources to contact the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission to seek a copy of any separation records on file.

Physical Requirements / Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This position has been identified as having the potential for exposure to Hepatitis B. Access to training and a voluntary vaccination against Hepatitis B is provided. Ability to sit, sometimes for long periods of time. Ability to escort offenders from waiting area to office. Ability to operate a computer or laptop. Ability to lift and move files weighing up to 10 pounds. Ability to effect an arrest of an offender. Ability to defend oneself from personal attack. Ability to provide own transportation to and from offender's homes, meetings, and other job-related appointments in a timely manner and ability to access those locations with reasonable accommodations.

Benefits

The County of Lancaster offers comprehensive benefits to our employees.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Lancaster County Government provides Equal Employment Opportunity for all persons regardless of race, religion, age, sex, national origin, genetic information or disability. The County also observes all applicable laws regarding Veterans status. The County reflects this action in all areas of employment and compensation practices and policies.