Probation Officer

Job Overview

The mission of Probation Services is to promote community safety by reducing recidivism, changing offender behavior and fostering accountability through the effective use of evidence-based practices. A probation officer is under the general direction of and reports to the Chief Probation Officer.

Work Hours:

Monday - Thursday 7:30am-4:30pm (One day per week 7:00am-4:00pm), Friday 7:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

• Administration of assessment tools to ensure appropriate supervision placement, intervention and programming.
• Monitor defendant's compliance with pre-trial release conditions.
• Transport and supervise Community Service completion.
• Ability to learn fingerprinting procedures and requirements.
• Develop an appropriate supervision plan to address the orders of the Court and identify the needs of a defendant.
• Supervise and support defendants through the behavior-change process, skills and goal attainment, and compliance with court-ordered conditions of supervision which includes teaching new skills and application of motivational interviewing skills.
• Notify the Court of defendant’s compliance with supervision requirements and attend court hearings when required.
• Conduct investigations and prepare written reports to assist the Court in the determination of appropriate sentences or the expungement/sealing of criminal offense records.
• Supervise specialized caseloads consisting of defendants with mental‑health or developmental disability considerations; defendants who have served in the military or defendants ordered to a period of electronic monitoring (GPS).
• Maintain accurate, current and thorough documentation and records.
• Active participation in required training and professional development events around evidence-based practices in community corrections and behavioral health issues, per department standards and as deemed appropriate.
• Performs other related duties as required by the Judge and Chief Probation Officer.

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with core coursework in areas related to criminal justice, criminology, corrections, psychology, social work or related field.
• One (1) year work experience in the court system, corrections, behavioral health, law enforcement or related fields.
• The ability to demonstrate and apply basic knowledge of mental health, trauma and substance abuse issues.
• Successful completion of the State of Ohio’s probation officer certification and training process within one year of hire (if not currently certified).
• Meet required eligibility and pass tests required to become certified to use Law Enforcement Automated Data Systems (L.E.A.D.S.), National Crime Information Center (NCIC), Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI), Federal Bureau of Investigation and other identification information systems.
• Willingness and ability to be trained and maintain certification in defensive tactics, verbal de‑escalation techniques and first aid/CPR.
• Ability to assess and supervise defendants effectively (e.g., assess and resolve problems, motivate defendants toward prosocial support and activities, and facilitate interventions that assist defendants in changing their thinking and behavior).
• Effective oral and written communication and interviewing skills (e.g., ability to listen effectively, obtain sensitive information, explain complex issues in a comprehensible manner, prepare accurate and logical reports relevant to a defendant).
• Ability to make informed and thoughtful recommendations and decisions.
• Knowledge of the criminal‑justice system and current research trends in the field of community corrections in order to work effectively within the Court.
• Ability to appropriately receive and follow supervisory feedback, coaching and direction.
• Demonstrate resilience and flexibility in a high‑paced, dynamic work environment.
• Ability to maintain sensitive and confidential information.
• Proficiency in operating a personal computer and using, or being able to learn, Microsoft Office products such as Word, Outlook and Excel, and the Court’s case‑management software.
• Pleasant personality, ability to deal with potentially difficult…