Probation Officer I

City and County of Denver; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 35,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension plan

457B Retirement Plan

PTO 132 hours

11 paid holidays

Personal holiday

Paid Family Leave

RTD Eco Pass

Medical/Dental/Vision

Education Refund Program

Volunteer time

Job summary

City and County of Denver is seeking a Probation Officer I to monitor probation compliance, perform intake and risk assessments, and support treatment plans in a fast-paced court environment.

The role emphasizes integrity, empathy, and clear communication, with a pension, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for advancement within probation services.

Qualifications

• Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, Sociology, Human Services, Corrections, Criminal Justice or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of clients under probation supervision and ensure court requirements are met.

Skills

Professionalism

Emotional intelligence

Organized

Communication

Cultural understanding

Integrity

Reliability

Accountability

Time management

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, Sociology, Human Services, Corrections, Criminal Justice or related field

Job description

About Our JobAbout Our JobWith competitive pay, great benefits, and endless opportunities, working for the City and County of Denver means seeing yourself working with purpose — for you, and those who benefit from your passion, skills and expertise. Join our diverse, inclusive and talented workforce of more than 11,000 team members who are at the heart of what makes Denver, Denver.What We OfferThe City and County of Denver offers competitive pay commensurate with education and experience. New hires are typically brought into the organization between $25.30 - $37.96 an hour. We also offer generous benefits for full-time employees which include but are not limited to:• A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service• 457B Retirement Plan• 132 hours of PTO earned within first year• 11 Paid Holidays per year, plus 1 personal holiday, and 8 hours of Denver Good Deeds volunteer time• Education Refund Program (ERP) - a chance for the city to support your continued learning and career growth by investing in your future with the city• Care Bank – 8 weeks of Paid Family Leave (after the probation period is passed)• Free RTD Eco Pass• Competitive medical, dental and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date• Opportunity to join a progressive Probation Department with a great department culture and atmosphereLocation & ScheduleThe Probation Division is located in the Minoru Yasui Building located at 303 W Colfax Ave, 8th floor, Denver, CO 80204. Operating hours are 7:00AM - 4:30PM Monday - Friday. Officers’ schedules may vary between the hours of 6:00AM - 5:00PM, Monday-Friday. Free parking is not available for employees.Who We AreThe mission of Denver County Court is to administer justice fairly, efficiently, and effectively; provide excellent customer service, and foster a positive environment where employees enjoy their work. The City and County of Denver’s third branch of government adjudicates various case types including state, civil, small claims, traffic, criminal, and general sessions matters within the City and County of Denver. The Denver County Court proudly serves the community and continually seeks ways to incorporate procedural fairness and evidence-based practices. You’ll join a dedicated team that believes in second chances, equity, and the power of relationships to foster lasting change.The DivisionThe Probation Division supervises approximately 2,500 cases assigned to 39 Probation Officers assigned to different units. The Probation Department handles misdemeanor and city ordinance violation cases.• DUI/DWAI Unit: The Probation Officers assigned to this unit supervise first-time DUI/DWAI offenses, repeat DUI offenses, and DUID offenses.• DV/FV/ Special Crimes Unit: The Probation Officers assigned to this unit supervise domestic violence offenses, family violence offenses, child abuse offenses, theft, and assault offenses. These individuals may require a higher level of supervision.• Sobriety Court: The Specialty Court was established in 2011 to address habitual DUI offenders. Individuals voluntarily agree to participate in this intensive program at the time of sentencing to receive a lesser jail sentence.• Sex Offender Management Unit: The Probation Officers assigned to this unit receive specialized training to supervise individuals on probation for sex offenses and with past histories of sex offenses.• Mental Health Unit: This is an intensive supervision unit for individuals that have been diagnosed with a serious mental health condition that significantly impacts their ability to comply with probation.• PSI Unit: Conducts pre-sentence investigations to assist the Court in sentencing decisions.• Home Visit Unit: Connects with the client in the community and conducts site visits.For more information, please visit the website: www.denvercountycourt.orgWhat You'll DoAs a Probation Officer I, you can expect to work in a fast-paced environment monitoring compliance with court orders in addition to providing customer service to people involved in the criminal justice system. Our department promotes accountability and positive behavior change through a strengths-based and evidence-informed approach to probation supervision utilizing effective assessments which identify probationers’ criminogenic risk, need, and strengths (protective factors) and tailoring supervision strategies to address those identified areas. The Probation Officer I completes intakes, conducts assessments, testifies in court, files motions with the court, and conducts field work.Additionally, as a Probation Officer I, you will:• Manage a caseload of clients under probation supervision. Ensure court requirements are met, such as reporting to the Probation Officer, adherence to court orders and coordinating any changes to treatment program. Motivate and manage the client’s probation period using a continuum of sanctions and incentives while utilizing professional discretion and adhering to best practices.• Conduct initial risk/needs assessments to assess criminogenic needs and risk severity; Interview clients to elicit information to determine client’s employment, economic, educational, social, criminal, and emotional history to make referrals as appropriate• Employ motivational interviewing to identify criminogenic needs, while addressing responsivity factors by utilizing trauma informed and culturally competent practices• Develop and implement a case plan with the client, with the goal of establishing pro-social behavior and repairing harm caused to the community and victim(s); Development of goals and objectives to support pro-social behaviors to reduce recidivism• Provide a variety of social services referrals and determines need for social, behavioral, medical, and/or psychological services; Provide guidance and crisis intervention; Monitor individual progress and level of engagement with services• Collaborate with stakeholders to review and interpret monitored sobriety results, in order to establish and implement treatment goals and plans• Prepare pre-sentence investigation reports, court motions, special reports, and probation reviews; Generate and serve probation revocation petitions; Testifies in court by providing testimony and preparing comprehensive reports that allows the court to make findings that impact sentencing on revocation• Conduct field interaction to evaluate compliance with terms and conditions of probation, as well as any special orders from the court; Builds rapport with the client, community, and their support system, while assessing peer and family associations; Verify the client's address and determine if they are in need of assistance with food, shelter, clothing, childcare, or other necessities• Work in a court team and on a rotating basis, as a Probation Court Representative (PCR), which includes coordination of the revocation docket in the courtroom, gathering cases from peers, ensuring that documentation is accurate, and provide feedback to peers; Provide case information to involved legal parties. Probation Officer I’s will be accompanied by a Probation Officer II or III for all court proceedings• On a rotating basis, performs Officer of the Day duties according to department policies and procedures; Performs other related duties as assigned• Be comfortable working with indigent, unhoused, immigrant, and other marginalized groups.• Be comfortable with mostly office-based work that is highly administrative, with opportunities to engage in the community.What You'll BringWe are seeking a candidate who is committed to public service and equity, and who brings a high level of professionalism, emotional intelligence, and strong ethical standards to their work. The ideal applicant is trainable, highly organized, and able to maintain clear professional boundaries while still building rapport and trust with clients.We are looking for someone who can balance empathy with firmness, follow policy and procedure, and treat each individual with fairness, respect, and cultural understanding. We strongly encourage applicants who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, including individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, to apply.Additionally, the ideal candidate will have the following:• Demonstrate integrity, reliability, and accountability in your daily work• Learn quickly and apply training with accuracy and consistency• Prepare professional documentation using proper grammar, structure, and tone• Interpret and apply policies and procedures to both routine and complex cases• Communicate clearly and professionally, both in writing and conversation• Manage time effectively, stay organized, and meet deadlines in a high-volume setting• Maintain appropriate boundaries while working with clients who may have complex needs• Show compassion and patience while also being assertive and directive when needed• Collaborate effectively with clients, team members, and external stakeholders• Desire to build a long-term career and grow within the Probation Department• Bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply, fluency in speaking and reading Spanish can be useful in serving our diverse client population. While writing in Spanish is helpful, it is not requiredRequired Minimum QualificationsWe realize your time is valuable so please do not apply if you do not have at least the following required minimum qualifications:• Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, Sociology, Human Services, Corrections, Criminal Justice or a related field• Experience Requirement: None• Education/Experience Equivalency: One (1) year of the appropriate type and level of experience may be substituted for each required year of post-high school education• License/Certifications: Requires a valid Driver's License at the time of application. Possession of Impaired Driving Assessment (IDA) Certification from the State of Colorado by the completion of probation. Licenses and certifications must be kept current as a condition of employmentRequired DocumentsTo be considered for this position, you must include the following on your application (upload the multiple attachment(s) to the Resume/CV section on the My Experience tab):• Updated resume – Required• Cover Letter – RequiredApplication DeadlineThis position is expected to stay open until Monday, August 24, 2026. Please submit your application as soon as possible and no later than August 24, 2026 at 11:59PM to ensure consideration.About Everything ElseJob ProfileCN2054 Probation Officer ITo view the full job profile including position specifications, physical demands, and probationary period, click here.Position TypeUnlimitedPosition Salary Range$25.30 - $37.96Target Pay$25.30 - $37.96AgencyDenver County CourtRedeployment during Citywide EmergenciesCity and County of Denver employees may be re-deployed to work in other capacities in their own agencies or in other city agencies to support core functions of the city during a citywide emergency declared by the Mayor.The City and County of Denver provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, or any other status protected under federal, state, and/or local law.It is your right to access oral or written language assistance, sign language interpretation, real-time captioning via CART, or disability-related accommodations. To request any of these services at no cost to you, please contact [e-mail] with three business days’ notice.Applicants for employment with the City and County of Denver must have valid work authorization that does not require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S.For information about right to work, click here for English or here for Spanish.