Probation Officer

Posted over 1 month ago

Job Description

Overall Job Objective

Description

The Pinal County Adult Probation Department is looking for individuals who have a passion for helping people and want to improve lives and strengthen our communities by assisting our clients to make positive changes. Pinal County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States, situated midway between Arizonas two most populous counties, Maricopa County (Phoenix) and Pima County (Tucson), making an easy commute from many locations.

The benefits of working for Pinal County Adult Probation include:
* Competitive salary (salary matching for certified officers when possible)
* Robust telework program
* Flexible schedules
* Tuition reimbursement
* Variety of job assignments including presentence, pretrial and field supervision
* Opportunities for skill development, training, and advancement

For questions or additional information, please email pinalapdchief.sharedmailbox@pinal.gov

POSITION SUMMARY:

Probation Officers provide casework services to probationers at the direction of the Superior Court. The duties of a Probation Officer include supervising the caseloads of assigned probationers, meeting with probationers in their homes or at their places of work, conducting interviews and social or pre-sentence investigations, evaluating probationers progress, performing searches, and making arrests.

Because probationers under Court supervision are convicted felons and/or persons with domestic violence convictions, OR for juveniles who are adjudicated delinquent, these job duties expose the Probation Officers to a risk of being assaulted by probationers, family members and others in proximity to the probationers. As a result, the Probation Officer position is designated as a safety-sensitive position in accordance with ACJA 6-106(A) and ACJA 6-107(A). All Probation Officers must "demonstrate, by proficiency testing, competency and understanding of the physical and verbal techniques and tactics presented at the defensive tactics training academy." ACJA 6-107(G)(1)(b). The proficiency testing is based upon whether they can perform the skills or tactics (or comparable alternatives) necessary for self-defense.

Probation Officers provide casework services to probationers at the direction of the Superior Court. The duties of a Probation Officer include supervising the caseloads of assigned probationers, meeting with probationers in their homes or at their places of work, conducting interviews and social or pre-sentence investigations, evaluating probationers progress, performing searches, and making arrests.

Because probationers under Court supervision are convicted felons and/or persons with
domestic violence convictions, OR for juveniles who are adjudicated delinquent, these job duties expose the Probation Officers to a risk of being assaulted by probationers, family members and others in proximity to the probationers. As a result, the Probation Officer position is designated as a safety-sensitive position in accordance with ACJA 6-106(A) and ACJA 6-107(A). All Probation Officers must "demonstrate, by proficiency testing, competency and understanding of the physical and verbal techniques and tactics presented at the defensive tactics training academy." ACJA 6-107(G)(1)(b). The proficiency testing is based upon whether they can perform the skills or tactics (or comparable alternatives) necessary for self-defense.

Example of Duties

Work in this classification requires an individual to be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary classification functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this classification may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in this classification description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this description.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Performs closely structured supervision and observation concerning compliance with

conditions of probation, including directing and counseling the probationer and conducting field contacts (home, work, treatment facilities, community restitution or jail) as a member of a team.

Obtains, assembles, secures, keeps and files a complete identification record concerning the person on probation including arrest reports, contact notes regarding compliance with terms of probation and case plan to prepare written reports for the court.

Builds relationships to encourage compliance with the case plan including conditions of

probation through frequent telephone contacts, work site contacts, day, and evening home contacts.

Directs and/or refers probationers to community resources, treatments or other interventions based on assessments, behaviors and conditions of probation.

Participates in case review conferences to determine if change in level of supervision is

warranted.

Performs searches, breathalyzers/urinalysis collection, and makes a documented effort to

locate absconders.

Serves warrants, makes arrests, and brings persons before the court who are on probation including defaulting probationers facing revocation. Probation officers have the authority of peace officers in the performance of his or her duties.

Appears and testifies in court.

Monitors payment of restitution and probation fees and ensures victims' notification rights are provided according to statutory requirements.

In confrontational situations with probationers or others, appropriately and effectively

responds and uses defensive tactics and techniques, as learned at the Defensive Tactics Safety Training Academy, when necessary.

Performs and demonstrates through proficiency testing, competency in, and an understanding of physical and verbal defensive tactics and techniques, including the following, or their comparable alternatives: 1) Forcefully raise arms above head (straight arm wristlock and takedown), 2) Perform minor aerobic activity, 3) Stand for up to 2 hours at a time, 4) Engage in balanced movements, 5) Throw hand strikes (fist strikes and palm heel strikes), 6) Use impact weapons (ability to swing arms in a striking action with a baton that weighs 16 ounces), 7) Kick at targets below 24" (front snap kicks), 8) Perform controlled falls and return to standing position unassisted (break falls and recovery), 9) Complete hand strikes and kick drills at partial speed, 10) Sustain exposure to Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) spray, 11) Engage in fighting techniques while on the ground, 12) Be able to bend knees lower center and touch the ground with one hand (break fall recovery and baton closing technique), 13) Be able to bend knees to a 45 degree angle (all ground

techniques).

Investigates cases referred to the officer and makes a written report to the court.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Minimum Qualifications & Special Requirements:

Be a United States citizen or legal resident.

Must possess a valid drivers license.

Have a bachelors degree with a preference in the behavioral sciences or a related field from an accredited college or university.

Be a minimum age of twenty-one (21) years.

Complete background/reference checks, interviews, polygraph and/or drug testing, and pre-
employment psychological examinations.

Must successfully complete 40-hour Defensive Tactics Academy as soon as practical, but no later than 120 days from the date of employment.

Must demonstrate, by proficiency testing, competency and understanding of the physical and verbal techniques and tactics presented at the defensive tactics training academy.

Must successfully complete eight (8) hours of Defensive Tactics Training on an annual basis.

Must maintain certificate of successful completion of defensive tactics training.

Must successfully complete the Probation Certification Academy and Intensive Probation
Institute within the first twelve (12) months of employment.

Must submit to a medical examination required by Corrections Officers Retirement Program.

Supplemental Information

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Must have the ability to operate a variety of equipment necessary to perform job duties such as motor vehicles, computers, telephones, radios, handcuffs, body armor and other equipment depending on case assignments.

Must possess:

Independent body mobility to stand, walk, bend and sit for prolonged periods of time and/ or

drive a vehicle.

The manual dexterity necessary to reach, grasp, handwrite, and use a computer.

Vision sufficient to see and read.

Hearing and speech sufficient to communicate in person and over the phone.

The ability to withstand varying weather temperatures.

The ability to lift, drag, push and carry items of various weight.

Must have skills in the areas of:

Self-control, patience, initiative, courtesy, tact and diplomacy in order to maintain effective

relationships with a diverse population.

Interviewing, motivating, and interpersonal relationships.

Time management and organization with the ability to apply principles and methods of correctional casework.

Critical analysis of individuals and situations in order to problem solve and make sound

decisions.

Effective oral and written communication.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Possess knowledge and understanding of:

The criminal justice system and community resources.

Diversion, Standard and Juvenile and/or Adult Intensive Probation and community
supervision.

Social and community corrections casework.

Principles of general human behavior; and evidence- based practices in community
corrections.

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