Probation Officer – Juvenile

Under the direct supervision of the Community Corrections Supervisor, this position supports the mission of the Blue Earth County Community Corrections Department in promoting safety of all citizens within the community. This position performs probation officer/case management services to adult or juvenile offenders. Random community contact with offenders in their homes and at work, as well as involvement in their treatment programming, is required. The jobholder must also perform investigations ordered by the court, maintain offender records, document data collected, and promote public safety. This position is also responsible for formulating, testing and implementing programs; conducting risk/need assessments; handling crisis interventions; performing court-related activities; establishing community norms, standards, and sanctions. Preferred candidates for this position possess bilingual speaking capabilities.

DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Performs Offender Investigations. Determines criminal history scores, reviews written reports from law enforcement or other credible sources; motivationally interviews the offender, family, relatives, victims, school officials and other collateral contacts. Completes necessary paperwork including assessments, referral forms, data privacy releases, release of information forms, risk/needs classification instruments, etc. Determines restitution, community safety, offender accountability; and rehabilitation. Writes investigative reports, bail evaluations, violation reports, discharge recommendations, letters, memos, to the district court and the Department of Corrections.

Performs Offender Risk/Needs Assessments and Case Planning: Conducts risk/need assessments according to department policy on offenders under supervision. Assessments will be basis of supervision plan for the offender in the community and will focus on criminogenic needs as identified on the assessment.

Provides Offender Community Supervision. Supervises sentenced/adjudicated and accused offenders assigned by the court, county attorney, or Minnesota Department of Corrections. Imposes a level of supervision of all offenders per department caseload management classification system to enhance public safety, enforce law-abiding behavior, and compliance with rules established by the court or releasing authority. Monitors, manages, and adjusts offender behavior in the community while focusing on areas of need based on offender risk/need assessment. Coordinates case planning with the client, parents, support system, and other involved professionals as needed.

Maintains Records, Reporting and Data Collection. Maintains, prepares, and submits accurate, extensive, and complete reports to the court and Minnesota Department of Corrections. Maintains file and computer database of pertinent client information. Maintains awareness and compliance with agency and county policies and procedures, changes in statutes, data privacy issues, etc. pertinent to the performance and expertise as a probation agent.

Aids and Promotes Public Safety. Exchanges information with law enforcement regarding the status of offenders supervised. Issues apprehension and detention as needed to enforce discipline or prevent escape. Interacts appropriately with offenders to search and investigate their behavior and surroundings, detain and calm resistive and violent offenders, and judiciously use the power of arrest and detention.

Assists in Formulating, Testing, and Implementing, and Facilitating Correctional Programs and Department Policy. Develops and participates in corrections policies to assist in the rehabilitation of the offender. Maintains statistical records to facilitate a process to determine the effectiveness of programming efforts. Supports the fee structures in place to assure support and continuation of programming efforts.

Assesses Client Crisis Intervention Needs. Assesses. Refers client to appropriate community resources. Ensures necessary services are delivered and confirms disposition of service.

Performs Court Related and Administrative Hearing Activities. Attends all required court and administrative hearings and court functions involving assigned clients. Presents oral reports to the court or hearing officer and recommend dispositional alternatives. Testifies at violation and dispositional hearings. Communicates with other professionals for case consultation and carries out the directives of the court.

Interacts Positively with Internal and External Customers. Communicates and interacts effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, individuals from other organizations as well as clientele under supervision.

Performs the Physical and Mental Demands of the Position.

Attends Work During Regularly Scheduled Hours. Works a flexible and changing schedule approved by supervisor to meet the needs of the position.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS:
Establishes Community Norms, Standards and Sanctions: Meets with supervisors, public officials, attorneys, judges, and law enforcement to develop innovative sentencing options and alternatives. Networks with treatment providers and human services to develop therapeutic program alternatives.

Participates in Professional Staff Development. Participates in training and education opportunities to maintain and improve proficiency in dealing as a probation officer with offender behaviors. Staff development will be focused on evidence-based practices to enhance agent skill set to reduce recidivism of supervised offenders. Attends and participates in professional organizations. Associates with agents and departments from other counties and states to learn about ongoing research and evidence-based practices that are achieving effective results.

Performs Other Related Functions as Apparent or Assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor’s degree with a major in corrections, sociology, criminal justice, social work, psychology, or a related field, and completion of a 400-hour internship in a community corrections or social work setting. OR

Bachelor’s degree in related field and 2 years’ experience working in a correction setting or as a case manager in a community-based setting.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Paid experience as a community-based probation officer

Fluent in understanding and speaking languages other than English such as: Spanish, Somali, Chinese, Sudanese, or Arabic.

Training and utilization with evidenced-based practices in a community correction setting

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
Must successfully pass a background check and pre-employment evaluation.

Must possess a valid Minnesota driver’s license.

Must comply with organizational and departmental policies and regulations.

Must comply with data practices policies and standards relative to not public data. Any access to not public data should be strictly limited to accessing the data that are necessary to fulfill the employment responsibility. While data are being accessed, incumbent should take reasonable measures to ensure the not public data are not accessed by individuals without a work reason. Once the work reason to access the data is reasonably finished the not public data must be properly stored according to county policy and the Minnesota Statutes.

HOURS OF WORK

Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Occasional evening, weekend and overtime hours will be required. This position does require flexible work hours with “on-call” work time and pay.

BENEFITS OVERVIEWFor a Regular Full-Time Employee The County of Blue Earth provides a comprehensive, balanced, and competitive benefitspackage as part of your total compensation. The County’s benefits programs address both the immediate needs that you and your family may have, such as medical coverage or dependent care assistance, and your long-term needs, such as retirement savings.The following outline of County offered benefits serves as an overview and does not provide all provisions, limitations, and exclusions. If there is a contradiction between this and the official plan documents, the plan documents will prevail.Vacation:Vacation accruals, utilization and payouts vary within each collective bargaining agreement and/or the employee handbook.Years of Service Biweekly Accrual Rate (based on 80 hour pay period)0 – 5 years 3.85 hours6 – 9 years 4.77 hours10 – 13 years 5.69 hours14 – 18 years 6.62 hours19 years – 24 years 7.54 hours25 years – over 8.46 hoursSick Leave:Employees earn sick leave per month. Amount is determined by union contract.Paid Holidays:Most employee groups observe the following holidays:New Years Day Labor DayMartin Luther King Day Veterans DayPresidents Day Thanksgiving DayMemorial Day Friday after ThanksgivingIndependence Day Christmas DayHealth Insurance:Employees may choose between single or family coverage.Employee Monthly Premium (07/01/2020) Single Coverage Family CoverageBCBS High Deductible ($2,800/$5,600) $0 $408.56BCBS CMM Plan ($300 deductible) $23.12 $626.24BCBS $0 Deductible CMM (Base) Plan $105.95 $907.13Life Insurance:Employees are provided with the following term life insurance benefit at no cost to them.Union: $20,000 term life/$20,000 AD&DNon-Union/Supervisory: $35,000 term life/$35,000 AD&DDepartment Head/Elected: $50,000 term life/$50,000 AD&DRetirement:The County and the employee contributes to PERA (Public Employees Retirement Association) Employees must participate as directed by Minnesota statutes. Contribution rates vary depending on position. Employee may obtain refund of employee contribution upon termination of service.Variable Benefits Available:The following benefits are available on an elective basis at the employee’s choice:DentalLong Term DisabilityFlexible Spending Reimbursement AccountsDeferred Compensation (457b)Roth IRA529 Educational RothEmployee Assistance Program (EAP)Supplemental LifeQuestions regarding benefit information can be directed to Human Resources at 507-304-4289