Probation Officer - Central Intake

Franklin County Court of Common Pleas - General Division; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 55,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Franklin County Court of Common Pleas - General Division in Columbus, OH seeks a probation officer to instruct offenders regarding supervision at pretrial and community control stages, and to assess risk levels using validated assessment tools. The role involves reviewing case information, interviewing offenders, and making referrals to programs.

The position requires skills in data entry, collaboration with staff, and maintaining professionalism under pressure, with adherence to department

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in criminal justice or closely related field, or equivalent experience
• 1 year experience involving community supervision of offenders (probation, parole) or related counseling
• 1 year experience in assessment of offenders
• Current certification of the Ohio Risk Assessment System (ORAS) tool

Responsibilities

• Instruct offenders regarding supervision at pretrial and community control placement stages
• Review information from multiple sources regarding the offender’s case(s)
• Develop interviewing skills to elicit open dialogue
• Conduct risk/needs assessments with offenders
• Assist in assignment of cases through the Central Intake area
• Collect DNA sample when appropriate
• Assess offender risk levels to determine reporting requirements
• Recommend programming referrals that are court-ordered or deemed appropriate
• Enter data into automated case management system and prepare documents
• Maintain professional demeanor and confidentiality of department information

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Evidence-based practices

Risk assessment

Interviewing skills

Data analysis

Teamwork

Cultural competence

Education

Bachelor's degree in criminal justice or related field

ORAS certification

Tools

ORAS tool

Job description

To instruct offenders regarding supervision at both the pretrial and community control placement stages; To successfully fulfill the essential job functions, one must be able to interact with accused and/or convicted criminal offenders; assess offender risk level by using appropriate assessment tools; make appropriate programming referrals; and, promote compliance through the use of evidence based practices.

• Promote and adhere to the Vision, Mission, and Core Principles and Values of the Probation Department;
• Foster an inclusive and culturally competent work environment;
• Contribute to a strong, supportive and productive team environment;
• Provide positive reinforcement to and build rapport with offenders;
• Instruct offenders regarding supervision at both the pretrial and community control placement stage;
• Review information from multiple sources regarding the offender’s case(s);
• Develop and utilize interviewing skills that elicit open dialogue;
• Conduct thorough and accurate risk/needs assessments with offenders;
• Conduct any trailer tool screenings that are identified through the assessment process;
• Assist in assignment of cases through the Central Intake area;
• Collect DNA sample, when appropriate
• Assess offender risk levels to determine reporting requirements;
• Recommend programming referrals that are either court-ordered or deemed appropriate through the assessment process;
• Collect and analyze data including preparing statistical reports;
• Utilize automated case management system to enter data including,creating and editing documents based on court orders;
• Maintain a professional demeanor during stressful situations;
• Respond courteously to inquiries;
• Maintain proficiency and applicable certification with all job and training requirements;
• Maintain professional and technical knowledge by attending professional training and conferences;
• Adhere to assigned work schedule while exhibiting regular and predictable attendance;
• Maintain professional conduct and attire;
• Maintain effective lines of communication with all staff and stakeholders;
• Promote and adhere to departmental policies and procedures;
• Maintain confidentiality of department information; and,
• Perform other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required to Perform Essential Job Functions:

• Performance of essential functions requires interaction with accused and convicted criminal offenders:
• Ability to learn and implement evidence-based practices in the field of community corrections includingeffective interventions and supervision strategies;
• Ability to learn and implement validated risk need tools;
• Ability to receive feedback, willingness to learn and embrace continuous improvement;
• Ability to engage productively and sensitively with persons of varying cultures and diversity;
• Ability to apply principles of influence systems, such as motivation, incentive, and leadership, and to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to resolve problems;
• Ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness and creativity in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory, judgmental, or subjective criteria, as opposed to that which is clearly measurable or verifiable;
• Ability to analyze situation quickly and objectively, and to determine proper course of action to be taken;
• Ability to cope with situations firmly, courteously, tactfully, and with respect for the rights of others;
• Ability to perform physical demands and exhibit mental aptitude needed to perform work duties including recognition of unusual or threatening conditions, maintain self-control and take appropriate action;
• Ability to determine appropriate situations for use of force;
• Ability to physically handle resistive/assaultive individuals;
• Ability to evaluate, audit, deduce, and/or assess data using established criteria including exercising discretion in determining actual or probable consequences and in referencing such evaluation to identify and select alternatives.
• Ability to operate, maneuver and/or control equipment, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions;
• Ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication and division; ability to calculate decimals and percentages; may include ability to perform statistical analysis; and
• Ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work; tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation. This position may involve infrequent lifting, carrying, running, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of moderate to heavy weight (50 pounds).

In addition to the Essential Job Functions and Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities identified, the following competencies are considered during the hiring process and are integral to the position:

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Possesses, acquires, and maintains the technical/professionalexpertise required to do the job effectively and to create solutions.Technical/professional expertise is demonstrated through problem-solving, applying professional judgment, and competent performance.

Decision-making/Problem Solving:

Makes sound, well-informed, and objective decisions promptly. Compares data, information, and input from a variety of sources to draw conclusions. Takes action that is consistent with available facts, constraints, and probable consequences. Applies both rational and creative processes to identify unknown root causes of problems. Based on the situation, decides the best course of action, implements the solution and evaluates the outcome. Calculates and evaluates the long-term consequences of a decision.

Stress Tolerance:

Maintains effective performance under pressure. Handles stress in a manner that is acceptable to others and the organization. Stays calm and even-tempered when handling crises, stressful situations, continuous change, or unexpected developments. Able to recover from difficult situations and is seen as a settling influence in a crisis.

Teamwork:

Works effectively in a team environment to accomplish organizational goals. Builds constructive working relationships with interested stakeholders to identify and meet mutual goals and objectives. Participates as an active and contributing member of teams with a focus on improving offender outcomes and department goals. Shares information and credit as appropriate for team accomplishments. Helps create and maintain strong morale and a feeling of belonging in his/her team. Acts as if "true success" is the success of the whole team.

Conflict Management:

Uses appropriate interpersonal styles and techniques to reduce tension and/or conflict between two or more people, can size up situations quickly, can identify common interests, and facilitate resolution. Steps up to conflicts and sees them as opportunities. Finds common ground and achieves cooperation without disruption to workflows or interpersonal relationships.

Cultural Competence:

Values an inclusive organization where the differences of all people are respected, valued, and utilized towards achieving common goals. Respects and relates well to people from varied backgrounds and understands diverse worldviews. Sensitive to group differences. Sees diversity as an opportunity, respectfully challenges bias and intolerance. Supports equal and fair treatment.

Communication:

Conveys and receives information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the listener, helps them understand and retain the message and, invites response and feedback. Keeps others informed as appropriate. Demonstrates effective written, verbal, and listening skills.

Collaboration:

Develops and maintains effective working relationships with coworkers and stakeholders using strong interpersonal skills to meet mutual goals and objectives. Obtains cooperation from others. Seeks and encourages win-win alternatives.

Influence:

Uses appropriate interpersonal skills and techniques to gain support and acceptance for ideas or solutions. Uses influencing strategies to gain mutually beneficial agreements. Seeks to persuade rather than force solutions or impose decisions or regulations and recognizes personal autonomy of others.

Dependability and Reliability:

Personally responsible. Completes work in a timely, consistent manner and is committed to being available during business hours to further organizational goals. Demonstrates regular and punctual attendance and arrives prepared for work. Committed to doing the best job possible and diligently follows through on commitments. Consistently meets deadlines.

• Bachelor's degree in criminal justice or closely related field, or equivalent experience (applicant may substitute 2 years of related experience for each year of required education).

• One-year experience involving:
  • community supervision of offenders (probation, parole);
  • counseling; or
  • maintaining a caseload in a case management setting.
• One-year experience in assessment of offenders; and
• Current certification of the Ohio Risk Assessment System (ORAS) tool.