Probation Officer

61st Judicial District Court

Created by state law in 1968, the 61st District Court has a high‑volume caseload. The court has jurisdiction within the City of Grand Rapids, the second largest city in the state and the largest in Kent County. It is comprised of six elected judges, one appointed attorney magistrate, and a dedicated support staff in the Clerk’s Office and Probation Department. The Team is committed to providing excellent customer service to the public and ensuring the effective and impartial management of cases.

This is a responsible professional caseworker, providing client services in the Probation Department of the District Court of the City of Grand Rapids. Work includes conducting presentence investigations or supervising the progress of individuals who have been accepted into and placed on probation. Work involves making responsible recommendations and reporting on the progress of clients. Work is performed with considerable independence under the general supervision of a higher‑level probation official.

Work is reviewed through conferences, reports, observation, and analysis of results obtained.

• Carries an assigned caseload of investigations.
• Formulates plans of probation and presents written and oral recommendations.
• Interviews clients, their families, victims, and interested individuals to determine the nature of the offense committed and the client’s employment, financial, and family situation for sentencing recommendations.
• Supervises cases involving probationers placed on probation by the Court.
• Recommends termination or extension of probation.
• Advises clients of available community resources and makes referrals as necessary.
• Cooperates with representatives from various social welfare and law enforcement agencies in cases of mutual interest.
• Monitors clients in specialized programs dealing with such matters as substance abuse, domestic violence, sex offenses, shoplifting and the like.
• Confirms client’s participation and attendance as part of terms and conditions of probation.
• Refers clients and members or their families to organizations such as AA, Al‑Anon, or other privately funded programs which can meet their needs.
• Performs drug detection, PBT testing and urinalysis tests.
• May facilitate groups for offenders.
• Appears and gives testimony in court regarding probation violations and similar matters.
• Composes and dictates petitions, correspondence, and case histories as required.
• Maintains client records.
• May coordinate the work of volunteers or student interns.
• May conduct substance screening interviews with clients using state approved testing methodologies.
• Dictates reports.
• Performs urinalysis tests.
• Maintains program records according to state licensing requirements.
• May work with victims and assailants in domestic assault or mentally ill/developmentally disabled cases.
• Informs victims of their rights.
• Interviews victims and assailants, makes referrals to support services, witness management.
• May initiate restraining orders.
• Provides support for victims, provides short‑term counseling and/or group work, and makes recommendations to the Court.
• Serves on various agency and community advisory boards and committees.
• Performs other related work as assigned.

• Graduation from a four‑year college or university with undergraduate work in criminal justice, psychology, sociology, or a closely related field.
• Two (2) years of experience working with individuals convicted of felonies or misdemeanors or with persons with problems involving substance abuse.
• Any equivalent combination of training and experience.

Officers performing substance abuse assessments must be certified by the State of Michigan. Officers performing assessments for mentally ill/developmentally disabled must be certified by the State of Michigan as an M.S.W. or equivalent.

• The principles and practices of probation work and of the related court procedures.
• The various statutes and ordinances which govern probation.
• Theories of addictions and abuse and methods of treatment.
• The community resources which may be used to supplement the probationer’s…