Probation Officer - Adult Supervision

Olmsted County has earned the 2023 Best Places to Work - Southeast Minnesota designation.

Minimum Qualifications of Education and Experience

Expected starting salary is $32.72 to $43.68. Full salary range is $32.72 - $54.64.

Bachelor's or Master's degree from an accredited college or university.  

Regular and reliable attendance is a necessary component of job/position. Individuals required to use County vehicles and equipment must have a valid Minnesota driver's license and be free of any major traffic violations for the last three (3) years.

Nature of Work

Under general supervision of the Director of Dodge and Olmsted (D&O) Community Corrections and direct supervision from a Program Manager, and within State and locally developed policies, supervises a caseload of clients placed on supervision.  Writes court reports as needed and participates on specialized teams, which can involve non-traditional hours, group facilitation and close contact with local law enforcement agencies, social services and the criminal justice system. Provides case management, case planning, risk assessment, and other related services. Completes special projects and/or formalized training of staff and may serve on multidisciplinary committees as required.

Examples of Work

• Provides case management, supervision and evidence-based correctional interventions to high risk probationer and/or supervised release clients to ensure they are meeting case planning goals and court ordered obligations.
• Interviews and counsels individual clients and supports to determine and identify problems or needs for services. Develops and writes individual case plans to address criminogenic needs and make appropriate case management decisions and referrals.
• Prepares a variety of reports for the court and/or Department of Corrections.
• Works closely with the criminal justice system to develop and implement model programming for clients who have committed criminal offenses.
• Identifies and initiates collaborative partnerships with service providers, employers, landlords, criminal justice partners and other community-based cohorts.
• Consults and staffs cases to determine appropriate referrals to community based treatment programs and monitors those referrals. Collaborates with referral agencies to provide information on clients needing services.
• Collaborates with a broad range of justice, mental health, law enforcement and social services systems partners.
• Recommends improvements to department practices, policies and procedures. Participates and may lead teams and projects to address improvements to programming and operations.
• Assesses the appropriateness of providing supervision for clients from other jurisdictions who are requesting to reside in Olmsted County, as well as arranges effective supervision for clients sentenced by Olmsted County District Courts who are residing or request to reside outside of Olmsted County; follows appropriate Interstate Compact and Intrastate Transfer process.
• Attends training/conferences to continually gain knowledge around case management best practices.
• Performs related duties as assigned.
• Attends and participates in pertinent meetings.
• Serves as liaison with other community agencies and counties.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required

• Considerable knowledge of Corrections and correctional programming
• Considerable knowledge of the social sciences and criminal justice system
• Knowledge of social learning theory and stages of change
• Knowledge of the principles of social work and psychology
• Knowledge of community resources
• Knowledge of federal, state and local programs and relevant laws
• Knowledge of chemical dependency and mental health issues, including supervision and treatment modalities
• Knowledge of relevant treatment strategies, tests and assessments, and risk classification tools for adult clients
• Ability to consider clients' barriers and challenges with empathy and objectivity
• Ability to exercise independent decision making and be solution focused in aiding clients and mitigating risk
• Ability to utilize communication skills for effective conflict management and advocacy
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with clients, co-workers, systems professionals, public officials and citizens of the community
• Ability to organize efficiently and keep records systematically
• Ability to work on a computer with documents, data/information systems, email, internet, etc.
• Some officer safety awareness
• Should possess strong writing skills with the ability to complete a large number of reports
• Provide written and oral reports/testimony to the courts

Persons with disabilities: the above is a general listing of job duties. Essential and non-essential functions may vary by individual position. Reasonable accommodations may be available for both essential and non-essential job duties.