Position: Supervisor Probation Officer (SPO)

Department:     Adult Probation Department                                           

Location:  County-City Building

Status: Full Time                                                              

Job Category: 

FLSA Status: Exempt

Shift Times: Monday through Friday
Hours:  8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.                                                   

Description:

This position is full-time, exempt position that is covered under the Saint Joseph County Employee Policy Manual and the St. Joseph County Adult Probation Department Policy Manual.

Incumbent serves as Supervisor Probation Officer for the St. Joseph County Adult Probation Department, responsible for monitoring and reviewing work/reports prepared by Probation Officers prior to their submission to the Court.  Incumbent is supervised by and reports to the Chief Probation Officer.

The salary for this position is based upon the Minimum Salary Schedule for Probation Officers as determined by the Judicial Conference of Indiana, which accounts for position, experience and education. 

Essential Functions:

Incumbent serves as a Supervisor Probation Officer for the St. Joseph County Adult Probation Department and is supervised by and reports to the Chief Probation Officer.

Incumbent is responsible for interpreting and applying departmental policies and practices to a variety of unrelated, complex and/or significant problems with cases and circumstances.  Incumbent exercises judgment in assessing reports, reviewing probation conditions, and ensuring completion of legal requirements. 

Incumbent is responsible for authoritatively interpreting and applying departmental policies and practices to a variety of unrelated cases and circumstances.  Incumbent exercises judgment in assessing Pre-Sentence reports, reviewing probation conditions, and ensuring completion of legal requirements.  Unusual situations are discussed with the supervisor, and work product is reviewed for accuracy and conformity with legal requirements.  Errors in work could result in work delays for other departments/agencies or other inconveniences to departments, agencies or the public.

Exercises analytical techniques to address problems that are embedded within the range of duties performed.  Performs a wide range of complex duties within very general guidelines, adapting guidelines and rules to fit unique circumstances.  Extensive analysis of the impact of decisions is required, and incumbent must frequently interpret precedents and facts to derive new methods and approaches for addressing the problems or circumstances.  Independent judgment is frequently needed to determine the impact of decisions on total operations and/or sets of cases.

Supervises assigned personnel, including: interviewing candidates and making hiring recommendations; orientating new subordinates; planning, delegating and controlling work assignments; ensuring assigned staff are informed of organizational developments; prioritizes and establishes specific work goals; trains and motivates staff; enforces department policies and procedures; evaluates work performance; ensures proper completion of tasks and conformance with policy; maintains discipline and recommends corrective action as warranted.

Reviews Pre-Sentence, Violation, and Supplemental Pre-Sentence reports prepared by Probation Officer staff prior to their submission to the Court or Prosecutor’s office.

Conducts Pre-Hearing and Pre-Sentencing Investigations to prepare pre-sentence and supplemental reports to assist the Court in making sentencing decisions.  Interviews prospective clients and prepares reports and bond screens, including clients’ personal history, financial situation, education level, substance abuse history, and criminal history.  Performs record checks on defendants, contacting County Clerk, employers, law enforcement agencies, hospitals, and other medical treatment agencies to ascertain and/or verify legal and social history.  

Performs duties of other Probation Officers, including but not limited to: writing pre-sentence investigation and pre-trial reports, completing assessments and sending appropriate referrals, and maintaining / supervising adult probation cases in accordance to Indiana Judicial Standards.

Assists in caseload audits and reviews the work of probation officers / support staff as needed.

Conducts job performance evaluations on staff with recommendations for retention, correction and/or training.

Documents direct interactions with clients, their treatment providers, and other connected third parties and other case activities, entering information into database and updating individual files for each client as required.  

Assist adult probationers consistent with Court imposed probation conditions, including furnishing and explaining written statements, monitoring probationer’s compliance and assisting probationers in obtaining needed services from the appropriate public/private treatment and welfare agencies.

Attends regular staff meetings and serve on advisory/community boards, as designated by the CPO.

Assists the Courts, Prosecuting Attorneys, and other law enforcement officials in making decisions regarding the diversion of charged individuals to appropriate community alternatives for specific adults rather than traditional probation.

Assists Courts in transferring supervision of probationers to other jurisdictions, as required.

Notifies the Prosecutor and Courts when a client violates a condition of their probation entailing clients’ non-compliance. 

Testifies in legal proceedings/Court as required. 

Performs record checks on other counties’ Pre-Sentence Investigations per their request.

Performs related duties as assigned and/or required by law.

Qualifications: 

Must meet the minimum qualifications as established by the Judicial Conference of Indiana (http://www.in.gov/judiciary/probation/2345.htm)

Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Sociology, Psychology, Human Services or related field from an accredited college or university.

Must be at least 21 years of age and a citizen of the United States. 

Ability to meet all department hiring and retention requirements, including certification as a Probation Officer and passage of a background check.  Ability to obtain 12 continuing education credits per year to maintain PO Certification.

Considerable prior experience as a Probation Officer or other related position.  Prior experience in a supervisory or management capacity preferred. 

Knowledge of all local, state, and federal laws applicable to operations of probation operations, with ability to apply and enforce regulations as needed.

Knowledge of the criminal justice system, including practical knowledge of customary practices and procedures of Court and in supervision of adult offenders.

Knowledge of human motivation and behavior and ability to apply such knowledge to specific situations and cases.

Knowledge of alcohol and drugs, treatment programs and services available to clients from government, social, and private agencies, with ability to make referrals and assist clients with programs as needed. 

Working knowledge of standard policies and practices of a probation department system, with ability to accurately prepare and complete required legal reports/forms/documents within established guidelines, make recommendations to the Court, maintain complete and accurate files, and apply and adapt procedures as cases demand.

Working knowledge of standard office procedures and computer software programs used by Adult Probation, with ability to apply such knowledge to a variety of interrelated processes, tasks and operations.

Ability to operate standard equipment, including a computer, calculator, copy machine, fax machine, and telephone. 

Ability to read, write, and speak English and understand, memorize, retain, and carry out written or oral instructions and present findings in oral or written form.

Ability to make basic arithmetic calculations.

Ability to plan, delegate, and supervise tasks of assigned staff and assigned work projects.  Ability to prioritize and establish specific work goals, train and motivate staff, enforce department policies and procedures, evaluate work performance, ensure proper completion of tasks and conformance with policy, maintain discipline and recommend corrective action as warranted. 

Ability to interview potential employees, make hiring recommendations, provide orientation for new employees and recommend personnel actions, such as promotions, transfers or disciplinary action.

Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, clients, other City, County, State and Federal departments, Court personnel, attorneys, law enforcement, community corrections, various treatment agencies, victims of crime, and members of the general public in a courteous and tactful manner, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities, and disabilities.

Ability to work alone with minimum supervision and with others in a team environment on several tasks at the same time, often under time pressure. 

Ability to understand general and specific directives and to work effectively in situations of potential stress and conflict with minimal supervision.

Ability to work with violent/irate individuals and handle situations involving potential physical harm to self and others.

Ability to comply with all employer and department policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.

Ability to provide public access to or maintain confidentiality of department information and records according to state requirements.

Ability to testify in legal proceedings/Court when needed.

Ability to occasionally work extended hours, evenings, and travel out of town, sometimes overnight, to attend conferences.

Possession of a valid Indiana driver’s license and demonstrated safe driving record.

Incumbent performs duties in a standard office environment or in probationers’ homes, including sitting for long periods, sitting/walking at will, close/far vision, and hearing sounds/communication.  Incumbent may respond to a variety of situations involving potential physical harm to self or others, including being exposed to violent/irate individuals.  Incumbent may work near fumes, odors, chemicals, dust and dirt, including exposure to meth labs and/or illegal drugs.  Incumbent may work evening hours, may work weekend hours and occasionally travels out of town for training and/or home visits, sometimes overnight.