Probation Officer Specialist

County of Chester; West Chester (Chester County); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Chester in Pennsylvania seeks an Adult Probation Officer Specialist to supervise high-risk probation/parole cases, enforce court-ordered conditions, and reduce recidivism through evidence-based practices and trauma-informed responses.

The role requires proficiency in motivational interviewing and risk assessment, with duties including court testimony, report preparation, and collaboration with law enforcement and treatment providers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, and at least one year of probation/parole, social services or criminal justice experience, or an equivalent combination of training, education and experience.
• Completion of the state provided/funded Adult Probation and Parole Basic Training Academy and Defensive Tactics Training Certification, within six months of employment.
• Certification to complete C.R.N. evaluations within 18 months of employment.

Responsibilities

• Provide ongoing supervision by maintaining regular contact with high risk/ high need individuals, monitoring compliance with probation & parole rules and court-imposed conditions.
• Maintain professional contact with family members, victims, law enforcement, the court, community, and treatment providers.
• Gather information through interviews with clients, victims, court, law enforcement, treatment providers and other parties as necessary.
• Testify in court and prepare court reports with accuracy and timeliness.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Interviewing

Organizational skills

Time management

Interpersonal skills

Customer service

Analytical / problem solving

Detail oriented

Confidentiality

Integrity & ethics

Education

Bachelor's degree

Probation/Parole Basic Training Academy

CRN evaluations certification

Tools

Court system software

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

The Adult Probation Officer Specialist is responsible for the supervision of individuals that have been granted parole or sentenced to probation and determined by the court to be in need of intensive supervision or determined through a risk assessment tool that the individual is high risk for re-offense or high need. The role encourages long term positive change, enforces compliance with court ordered conditions and helps reduce the risk of recidivism. Provides fair and balanced recommendations regarding the individual’s needs and protection of the community, through court testimony and the completion of court reports. Requires excellent proficiency in the use of evidence-based practices, including Motivation Interviewing, Risk Assessment and Trauma Informed Responses. Requires following law and procedural governance, with the ability to make decisions in emergencies that directly affect public safety and personal liberties of individuals.

• Provides ongoing supervision by maintaining regular contact with high risk/ high need justice involved individuals, monitors compliance with rules and regulations of probation & parole, along with any special conditions imposed by the court. Officers work to ensure community safety, identify violations, and take appropriate action.
• Maintains professional and timely contact with family members, victims, members of law enforcement, the court, community, and treatment providers.
• Gathers information through interviews with clients, victims, court, law enforcement, treatment providers and other parties as necessary.
• Demonstrates proficiency in the use of evidence-based practices such as risk/needs assessments, case plan, motivational interviewing and skill building with fidelity.
• Demonstrates the ability to testify in court without oversight.
• Utilizes the risk/needs results to make appropriate referrals to treatment agencies to address the individual’s needs and continuously monitors the individual’s participation and progress in these programs to ensure compliance and appropriate outcomes.
• Enforces confidentiality of protected information.
• Appropriately supervises individuals that have been stepped down from specialized caseloads such as Sex Offender, Domestic Violence, Substance Use, House Arrest, Mental Health, or those with past trauma.
• Ensures that all information pertaining to the case is well documented, thorough, and accurate.
• Utilizes trauma informed and trauma responsive in supervision strategies.
• Completes and submits Court reports with an emphasis on accuracy, timeliness, professionalism, appropriate use of grammar and proper formatting.
• Actively promotes teamwork among units and the whole department.
• Attends and participates in local and regional meetings, seminars, trainings, and conferences to maintain the highest level of education in the field of probation and parole services, including knowledge about current Probation/Parole research.
• Supports and monitors the collection of fines, costs, and restitution.
• Performs urinalysis and breathalyzer testing, as needed.
• Provides professional court testimony and demonstrates the ability to make fair recommendations for sentencing with minimum supervisory oversight.
• Performs duty team tasks, which include assisting with temporarily unsupervised caseloads, answering phone calls, and interviewing new clients who were sentenced or released from prison.

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, and at least one year of probation/parole, social services or criminal justice experience, or an equivalent combination of training, education and experience.
• Completion of the state provided/funded Adult Probation and Parole Basic Training Academy and Defensive Tactics Training Certification, within six months of employment.
• Certification to complete C.R.N. evaluations within 18 months of employment.

Preferred:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Criminal Justice or related field, and two years of probation/parole experience, criminal justice, or social service case management.

Strong demonstrated abilities required:

1. Verbal and written skills
2. Interviewing and investigating skills
3. Organizational/Time Management skills
4. Interpersonal skills
5. Customer Service skills
6. Analytical/Problem Solving skills
7. Prioritization/Multi-tasking skills
8. Motivated/Works Independently
9. Detail Oriented
10. Confidentiality
11. Honest, Integrity and Professional Ethics

Also required:

• Strong knowledge of the Vision, Mission and Guiding Principles of the Adult Probation, Parole and Pretrial Services Department.
• Advanced knowledge of criminal justice terminology and court procedures.
• Strong knowledge of the procedures which govern the Court of Common Pleas.

• Knowledge of evidence-based practices, motivational interviewing, and risk assessment.

• Knowledge of the principles, methods and practices of investigations, supervision and reporting in probation work.
• Specialized training specific to the job duties.
• Ability to work extended hours.
• Valid driver’s license and use of personal vehicle.

• Familiarity with the laws and procedures concerning probation/parole supervision (i.e., search and seizures, violations, confidentiality etc.).
• Knowledge of illegal and prescription drugs, and the effects, and length of time spent in someone’s system.
• Knowledge of individual and group behavior, with special emphasis on psychology.
• General knowledge of the rules and regulations of probation/parole.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Ability to handle and resolve recurring problems and to make firm and unbiased decisions.
• General working knowledge of County of Chester policies and procedures.
• Bilingual ability is required for bilingual specialist role.

Relevant background checks, clearances, physicals, drug tests, and any other assessments or evaluations will be conducted after an offer of employment is given per County policy.

Computer/technical skills

• Basic Microsoft Office Suite, including Outlook
• Basic internet skills
• Basic Court System software skills and data entry skills for Case Management system

Physical Requirements

• Ability to frequently:
  • Walk, sit, stand, talk, hear and drive
• Ability to occasionally:
  • Bend at the waist, kneel, stoop, crouch, squat, climb stairs, taste and smell
• Ability to rarely:
  • Carry, lift or push items, twist or rotate at the waist and reach above shoulder height
• Required vision:
  • Close and distance vision while driving a vehicle
  • Peripheral vision for safety reasons (ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or to the left and right while eyes are fixed on a given point).

work environment

• Generally, moderate noise levels, may vary by location.
• Approximately 80% work indoors, with 20% field work (visiting defendant’s homes, courtroom appearances, treatment facilities, etc.).
• Monitoring drug and alcohol use exposes incumbent to potential health risks.
• Unable to carry weapons while in the field/office.
• Working with another probation officer is encouraged while in the community/field.

Other Duties

• This job description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of responsibilities required for this job. Responsibilities may be assigned or changed at any time.

additional information

• Relevant background checks, clearance, physicals, drug tests and any other assessments or evaluations will be conducted after an offer of employment is given per County policy.
  • PATCH – Criminal History
  • FBI Fingerprinting
  • Drivers History