Probation Officer

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General Description

This position is responsible for supervising offenders to ensure their behavior complies with Court Orders and is consistent with community safety.

Duties and Responsibilities

The functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class.  Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the class as necessary.

• Comply with all Department Policies and Procedures.
• Comply with all applicable TDCJ-CJAD Standards.
• Complete orientation/intake on all offenders.
• Complete pre-/and post-sentence investigations per standards and policies.
• Complete assessments and supervision plans per standards and policy.
• Refer offenders to appropriate community resource agencies to comply with the supervision plan and/or the Court order.
• Supervise offenders to monitor compliance with the orders of the Court.
• Maintain case files and document case activity in a chronological record.
• Prepare for Court hearings as needed.
• Address violations of conditions of community Supervision per department policy.
• Make office and field contact with offenders as required by standards and policy.
• Complete required reports in an accurate and timely manner.
• Update master record and review computer printouts monthly for accuracy.
• Work with Courts and other related agencies in a professional manner.
• Complete forty (40) hours of professional skill-based training annually.  Twenty (20) hours of CJAD-approved training must be completed.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Director and/or Supervisors.
• Able to report regularly for work and be on time.
• Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, criminology, corrections, human services development, law, public administration, rehabilitative studies, social work, psychology, or sociology.  If the degree is not in these fields, one must have 1 year of graduate study in one of these fields or a minimum of 1 year of full-time experience in casework, counseling, or community or group work.
• Knowledge of the legal system and the judicial process
• Must be able to travel within the community
• Must be able to effectively communicate and/or present information in a clear and concise manner, both verbally and in writing.
• Must be able to operate and interact with political and social sensitivity in the mediation and resolution of high-tension situations involving a diverse group of people.
• Demonstrate ability to accept and give constructive criticism and take corrective action where indicated.
• Must pass a Criminal Background check

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.

Unavoidable hazards refer to the job conditions that may lead to injury or health hazards even though precautions have been taken.

The work is typically performed sitting at a desk or table or while intermittently sitting, standing, bending, crouching, or stooping. The employee occasionally lifts light and heavy objects.

The work is typically performed in an office and on field visits.

The work consists of dealing with emotionally disturbed and/or violent offenders who could pose harm to themselves or others.

Emergency Preparedness Tier Level:  4

Soft Skills:

• Judgment and decision-making skills- Demonstrates consistent logic, rationality, and objectivity in decision-making
• Oral Communication- Communicates effectively one-to-one, in small groups, and in public speaking contexts.
• Organization/Planning- Plans, organizes, schedules, and budgets efficiently and productively.  Focuses on key priorities.  Effectively juggles multiple projects. 
• Business Literacy- Understands and absorbs new information.  Stays current with developments in our field.  Expects others to stay current with developments in the field.  Frequently shares new knowledge with others. 
• Customer Focus- Regularly monitors customer satisfaction.  Meets internal and external customer needs in ways that provide satisfaction and excellent results for the customer. 
• Integrity-Ethical and remains consistent in terms of what one says and does, and in terms of behavior toward others. 
• Initiative- Resourceful, surmounts barriers, and achieves results
• Collaboration/Teamwork- Cooperates with staff at all levels of the organization. Willingly reaches out to staff, volunteers, and customers to proactively share information, knowledge, and expertise, and to offer time to achieve common goals. Supports the organization’s goals and missions.

Department: Adult Probation

Salary: $51,000.00, depending on experience

The County of Galveston is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.