Description
The PAROLE AND PROBATION OFFICER position is full-time, 40 hours, Civil Service, and Union represented.
Columbia County is looking for self-motivated, team players to join the Adult Division of the Department of Community Justice.
The Community Justice department mission is to reduce criminal conduct and help keep residents of Columbia County safe. We do this by providing evidence-based programming and interventions for adults and juveniles that aim to prevent individuals from re-offending, while also addressing the underlying issues of crime.
Our department partners with community groups and human services agencies, and provides a continuum of supervision, incarceration, and programming to manage offender behavior.
The Adult Division of the Community Justice department is responsible for supervising adult criminal offenders sentenced to Probation by the court or released to Post-Prison Supervision or Parole from a correctional facility.
DUTIES: Perform professional corrections casework investigating and supervising misdemeanor and felony offenders under the jurisdiction of the County Community Justice Program. Supervise and implement sanctions and programs to assist in offender accountability and behavior change.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE: Equivalent to a four-year degree in behavioral science or related field. Four years of experience in the corrections or criminal justice field which includes offender or public contact. A minimum of two years specific experience performing case work with offenders. Any satisfactory combination of experience and training, which demonstrates the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be substituted for the above requirements.
DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS: Advanced course work in criminal justice, sociology, psychology, or related field preferred. Team player willing to work collaboratively toward shared goals and be open to diverse ideas and perspectives. Receive constructive feedback in a positive manner.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: Possession of, or the ability to obtain within one year of employment, DPSST certification as a Parole & Probation Officer. Possession of, or the ability to obtain within three months of hire, Law Enforcement Data System certification. Must be First Aid, CPR, and AED certified. Must possess a valid driver's license and be insurable under the county's liability policy.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILL, AND ABILITY: Considerable knowledge of behavior and adjustment problems in adult offenders and methods of treatment. Considerable knowledge of state criminal laws, federal law, case law decisions, state administrative rules, parole rules, and Attorney General opinions.
Skill in general business software and Microsoft Office products.
Ability to:
- Organize, prioritize, and produce an accurate work product and meet deadlines.
- Express ideas effectively, both verbally and in writing. Use sound judgment. Write clear and concise reports.
- Adapt to change or new situations and openly acknowledge and work through conflict. Accept responsibility and be able to work well with ambiguity.
- Work independently and as a team where collaboration with all staff in divergent positions is imperative.
- Act in such a manner as to maintain the confidentiality of the records and issues and other matters that may be encountered.
- Develop and maintain harmonious and effective working relationships with employees, other agencies, county officials, and the general public.
- Enforce all laws, regulations, ordinances, and standards consistently to ensure compliance and to protect the public's health and safety.
- Multi-task, prioritize, and accomplish quickly and efficiently a large number of diverse tasks.
- Communicate effectively with persons of various ethnic, racial, or age groups and socio-economic levels who may be hostile or abusive.
- Meet requests for information and task completion from a diverse clientele in a timely manner.
- Act effectively and decisively in emergency situations.
