Probation Officer Specialist - ISR
Olmsted County has earned the 2023 and 2024 Best Places to Work - Southeast Minnesota designation.
Minimum Qualifications of Education and Experience
Expected starting salary is $35.37 to $47.22. Full salary range is $35.37 - $59.07.
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and two (2) years of experience in a similar position as listed in the work functions.
OR
Master’s degree from an accredited college or university and one (1) years of experience in a similar position as listed in the work functions.
Regular and reliable attendance is a necessary component of job/position. Individuals required to use County vehicles and equipment must have a valid 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, provides community-based supervision to a caseload of high risk to very high risk adult felony clients primarily on Intensive Supervised Release (ISR). Provides investigative and assessment services for the Court and Department of Corrections (DOC). Will provide supervision to clients through field visits and other community-based contact. The schedule will include traditional business hours, nights, weekends, as well as other non-traditional hours of work. Will provide case management, case-planning, risk assessments, treatment referrals, cognitive skills in groups and individually and other related services. Clients assigned involve greater complexities and responsibilities, in addition to those of a regular caseload. Completion of special projects and/or formalized training of staff and serving on workgroups may be expected. Supports a diverse, respectful, and inclusive workplace.
Examples of Work
- Provides case management, supervision and evidence-based cognitive interventions to high risk and very high risk adult clients on Intensive Supervised Release (ISR), supervised release and probation, including clients on supervision for committing a sexual offense and/or clients deemed a level two or three predatory offender
- Field work will include home and employment visits as well as other community-based contacts
- Consults with supervisors and peers regarding clients to determine appropriate referrals to community-based treatment programs and response to adjustment concerns as well impact to public safety
- Prepares a variety of reports for the court and/or the Department of Corrections
- Appears in court or DOC hearings to present reports as needed and makes sentencing and revocation recommendations
- 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
- Collaborates with referral agencies to provide information on clients needing services and be regularly updated on client progress, coordinates case plan and transition planning
- Updates records and files for caseloads and prepares all necessary correspondence needed to process casework
- Works closely with the criminal justice partners to develop and implement model programming for criminal justice clients
- Identifies and initiates collaborative partnerships with service providers, landlords, criminal justice partners and other community-based cohorts
- Serves as liaison with other community agencies and counties
- 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 in, and may lead teams and projects, to address improvements to programming and operations
- Maintains knowledge of correctional best practices and practices necessary to do the work through independent learning, peer led learning and attendance at training offerings
- Acts as a mentor with peers, particularly as it pertains to supervised release practices and surveillance of high risk clients
- Provides on-call coverage for the ISR Unit
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required
- Extensive knowledge of the behavioral sciences, criminal justice system, corrections, and correctional best practices, including cognitive interventions to and cognitive- based programming
- Extensive knowledge of relevant treatment strategies, tests and assessments, and risk classification tools
- Extensive knowledge of agency policies
- Extensive knowledge of community resources
- Considerable knowledge of social determinants of health and related barriers
- Knowledge of chemical dependency, mental health, victim/survivor issues, as well as complex trauma
- Knowledge of relevant treatment strategies, tests and assessments, and risk classification tools for adult clients
- Knowledge of officer safety
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
- Ability to take initiative, exercise sound judgment, make timely, informed decisions on complex matters, and complete necessary tasks effectively with limited direct supervision
- Ability to exercise independent decision making and be solution focused aiding clients and mitigating risk
- Ability to consider clients' barriers and challenges with empathy and objectivity
- Ability to advise and direct the work of others and act as a lead worker on internal workgroups and agency initiatives
- Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, including the ability to communicate ideas
- Ability to effectively represent the department and its overall mission on external committees/boards
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.