Position Officer Assistant

Court Name/Organization Maine Probation and Pretrial Services

Overview of the Position The Probation Officer Assistant serves in a judiciary law enforcement position under the direction and guidance of a probation officer or supervisory probation officer. The incumbent provides technical and administrative support and assistance to probation officers, primarily assisting with the supervision of low-risk cases, compiling information for investigations, coordinating with collateral agencies, drafting reports and correspondence, and performing similar duties.

The Probation Officer Assistant performs a full range of duties and responsibilities including but not limited to the following:

• Under the guidance of a probation officer, supervise a caseload of low-risk individuals convicted of federal offenses, or released on bond following arrest, requiring contact by telephone, in the office, and in the field. Investigate employment, sources of income, lifestyle, and associates to assess risk and determine compliance. Maintain case files and records, as well as detailed chronological records of activity.
• Under the guidance of a probation officer, conduct and complete full bail report investigations to include interviews, collateral checks, and court appearances.
• Assist probation officers with investigations to include compiling criminal histories and profiles, running record checks through local and national databases, conducting inquiries with collateral agencies, and performing other similar activities. Provide officers with accurate information to assist in their completion of reports.
• Under guidance from a probation officer, draft and submit selected reports. Observe, and apprise the supervisor of the lifestyle, risk, and needs of individuals convicted of federal offenses. Assist in the development of community resources to meet those needs.
• Under the guidance of a probation officer, respond to judicial officers’ requests for information and occasionally testify in court, accompanied by a probation officer, regarding the basis for factual findings and, if applicable, guideline applications.
• Conduct collateral investigations and draft and submit collateral reports, which may entail making telephone, office, and/or field contacts. Perform record keeping.
• Collect and conduct urine tests on individuals convicted of federal offenses of the same gender and maintain appropriate records. Process unobserved urine tests for those not of the same gender.
• If bilingual or multilingual, assist officers and non-English speaking individuals convicted of federal offenses, family members, and witnesses in translating speech, documents, and correspondence, as required.
• Operate various criminal justice, law enforcement, and probation automated systems.
• Field work will require travel to all corners of the State of Maine. Overnight travel may be necessary to complete field work and will be approved accordingly.
• Perform other and progressively greater responsibilities and duties as assigned.
• Participate in ongoing training and development programs.

• Knowledge of pretrial, probation, and parole processes and procedures, court processes, and legal terminology. Knowledge of the criminal justice system including the interrelationships between the federal courts, federal probation, and various law enforcement agencies.
• General knowledge of available community resources. Knowledge of automated/internet resources and systems available for conducting background checks, criminal histories, and other similar activities. Basic knowledge of techniques used in supervising offenders and basic knowledge of sentencing guidelines.
• Basic skill in assisting probation officers with supervision of offenders in selected low risk cases, risk assessments, and developing appropriate alternatives and sanctions to non-compliant behavior. Ability to organize, prioritize, compile, and summarize work within established time frames. Ability to follow safety procedures.
• Ability to work under pressure of short deadlines and follow detailed instructions accurately.
• Ability to consistently demonstrate sound ethics and judgment.
• Ability to interact and…