Investigative Probation Officer

Position Summary

The Investigative Probation Officer serves in the Pretrial & Investigative Services Department and reports to the Investigative Services Supervisor.

The Investigative Probation Officer is responsible for investigating and preparing investigative reports on defendants in criminal cases before the court and referring defendants to services.

• Interviews defendants; gathers, collates, and documents social backgrounds and verifies information; compiles and analyzes defendant’s records; determines restitution and other injuries.
• Collects urine samples and conducts breathalyzer tests.
• Schedules defendants for assessments, if necessary.
• Generates, proofs, and edits final reports and submits them to the Investigative Services Supervisor and the judge of record.
• Explains conditions of supervision for defendants; makes arrests when a defendant is in violation of conditions.
• Appears in court as required.
• Obtains and maintains Practitioner Certification through the Law Enforcement Automated Data System (LEADS).
• Participates in training opportunities, court activities, projects, and committees as requested or required.
• Completes other duties and responsibilities as required.

• Knowledge of: counseling; chemical dependency; social work; corrections; pretrial supervision regulations; court system procedures and processes; criminal justice system; community social service agencies and resources; universal precautions for control of blood-borne pathogens;
  Ohio Revised Code pertaining to presentence investigations, intervention in lieu of conviction, and judicial release.
• Ability to: establish rapport with offenders/defendants of various social and economic backgrounds; perform under stress when confronted with emergency, critical, unusual or dangerous situations; work with resistant clients; physically make an arrest; participate in a physical examination that includes an agility evaluation.
• Skill in: interviewing offenders/defendants, victims, and others; completing statistical and essay reports; data input; operation of a computer; application of job software programs; self-defense; listening.

All court employees are expected to stay current in their areas of technical expertise; maintain attention to detail; exhibit good organizational skills; work effectively on their own initiative and by cooperating with others; engage in active listening; speak and write clearly and concisely; demonstrate good manners, friendly demeanor, and professional behavior; uphold the policies, procedures, and practices of the court; maintain the confidentiality of sensitive and privileged information;

and represent the court with honesty and integrity.

The position requires an appropriate combination of formal education, additional training and courses, and work experience. There is not an exact level or mixture of these elements to indicate one will necessarily be successful in, or qualify for, the position. For example, purposes only, an acceptable combination of qualifications for the position is a bachelor’s degree in psychology, sociology, criminal justice, or a related field.

A valid state of Ohio motor vehicle operator’s license is preferred in order to carry out job-related essential functions. Private insurance is required if a private vehicle is employed for job-related functions.

The position requires no supervisory duties or responsibilities.

Vehicle, computer, calculator, copier, fax, telephone, and other general office equipment.

The following physical demands are typically exhibited by the incumbent performing the requirements of the position. These physical demands are not, and should not be construed to be, job qualification standards. They are illustrated to help the court, incumbent, and applicant for the position identify reasonable accommodations that may need to be made when an otherwise qualified person is unable to perform the job’s essential functions because of a recognized disability covered by, and in accordance with, the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

While performing duties of this job, the employee regularly exhibits digital dexterity and eye-hand coordination when performing typing and other tasks. The employee frequently sits for extended periods of time and occasionally stands and walks. Employee converses verbally with others in person and by telephone. Vision demands include close, relatively detailed vision when typing and using a computer screen. The job may involve operating and sitting in a vehicle.