General Supervision Probation Officer

Court of Common Pleas, Stark County, Ohio

Job Description

JOB TITLE: General Supervision Probation Officer

     PURPOSE: The primary purpose of this job is, under direction, to supervise the activities related to legal conditions of adult offenders in need of general supervision. 

JOB FUNCTIONS: Every effort has been made to make this job description as complete as possible. However, this in no way states or implies that these are the only job duties  the General Supervision Probation Officer will be required to perform. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or is a logical assignment to the position. Supervisory personnel may assign tasks that are not listed in the job duties section to employees under their direct or indirect supervision. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITES:

1.         Comply with the policies and procedures of the General Supervision Program and rules, procedures and practices provided by the Ohio Revised Code for existing probation departments. 

2.         Compile information, submit reports and make recommendations concerning the conditional release or institutionalization of the offender.

3.         Compile information: submit post sentence reports at the request of the Courts.

4.         Inform offender of rules of Probations such as phases of the General Supervision Program, office visits, financial payments, educational or employment stipulations, treatment programs and hours, or any special conditions as ordered by the Court. 

5.         Refer offender to special programs such as drug and/or alcohol treatment, family counseling or mental health services as ordered by the Court. 

6.         Arrange urinalysis for offender; provide in-office drug testing.

7.         Inform offender of the consequences of failure to comply with Court ordered conditions: secure remedial Court intervention when necessary; arrest offender in accordance with policies and procedures.

8.         Supervise and evaluate offender’s progress; coordinate visits to home, school or place of employment; contact offender by phone. 

9.         Serve as liaison with Court personnel, Police Depts. social services agencies and others. 

10.       Assist other offices as needed; complete duties assigned promptly. 

11.       May be assigned and trained to carry a weapon as outlined in program policies      and procedures.

12.       Assist in transport of clients to other jails, halfway houses, etc. 

13.       Maintain statistics on various programs and functions of General Supervision as    required.

14.       Compile data to write reports and maintain records on each case assigned.

15.       Complete paperwork in a timely fashion; keep all records, reports and files up to date.

16.       Attend conferences and training sessions as required.

17.       Other related duties that may become necessary or as directed by supervisor.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

            Must possess a Bachelor’s degree from a four year accredited college or university; or equivalent education and experience. A focus on criminal justice studies is preferred.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

1.         Must be able to read, write, speak and understand the English language.

2.         Must be able to interpret documents, instructions and procedure manuals necessary to ensure fulfillment of essential duties.

3.         Must be able to write routine reports and business correspondence.

4.         Must be able to communicate effectively with offenders, their families, attorneys, Judges, supervisors and the general public in person, in writing and on the telephone. 

5.         Must be able to calculate figures and amounts. 

6.         Must be able to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.

7.         Must possess knowledge of interviewing polices and procedures and be able to make sound evaluations and recommendations. 

8.         Must be ale to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information. 

9.         Must be able to complete paperwork neatly, precisely and in a timely manner. 

10.       Must be able to understand legal terms and definitions. 

11.        Must be available on a twenty-four (24) hour basis, seven (7) days per week to provide offender contacts when necessary at their home or place of employment. 

12.       Must be culturally competent and sensitive to the needs of various populations. 

13.       Must possess knowledge of community resources and be able to interact cooperatively with these services. 

14.       May need to complete certified peace officer training to carry a weapon; must update certification annually. 

15.       May need to complete and pass psychological testing as arranged by the Program. 

16.       Must meet and maintain State requirements for probation officer training. 

PHYSICAL AND SENSORY REQUIREMENTS

(With or without reasonable accommodations)

1.         Must be able to operate office equipment such as a copier, fax machine and computer. 

2.         Must be able to move intermittently throughout the day.

3.         Must be able to cope with the mental and emotional stress of the position.

4.         Must possess sight/hearing senses or use prosthetics that will enable these senses to function adequately so that the requirements of the position can be fully met. 

5.         Must posses a valid driver’s license. 

6.         Must regularly tolerate moderate noise levels and occasionally tolerate loud noise levels; must occasionally work in outside weather conditions. 

7.         May be exposed to high crime neighborhoods; may be exposed to communicable diseases.