Probation Officer

JOB CODE: 2200

PAY GRADE: 1150

SALARY RANGE: $30,680 - $52,231

LOCATION OF WORK
Various City-Parish Departments

GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Under the general supervision of a Senior Probation Officer, performs professional office or fieldwork in presentence or predispositional investigations, counsels and supervises adult misdemeanor criminal offenders placed on supervised probation by the appropriate court or offenders placed in the pre-trial diversion program. Work involves the collection, examination and evaluation of information obtained through office interviews and may include fieldwork interviews in determining the appropriate action and/or recommendations for disposition of assigned cases. Work may also involve occasionally reviewing other Probation Officer casework files. Some employees of this class may be required to monitor probation conditions and conduct drug screens. Performs other work as requested.

ESSENTIAL WORK TASKS
Conducts initial evaluations and screening of pretrial diversion offenders, adult misdemeanor criminal offenders, including DWI and domestic violence offenders, victims, intake and presentence investigations; prepares related reports including social summaries, treatment plans, extension of probation and revocation of probation requests and final reports; submits reports to City Court and reports findings at all dispositional and other court hearings. Interviews and counsels a caseload of adult misdemeanor criminal offenders, DWI offenders, or offenders on supervised probation; monitors compliance with conditions specified by the Judges of City Court; monitors offenders electronically and through the use of office, field, jail, facility and school visits; monitors and evaluates service provider facilities to ensure delivery of services; monitors arrest activity from reports from law enforcement agencies. Formulates and supervises treatment plans for offenders placed in the Pre-Trial Diversion program; monitors offenders compliance with conditions specified in treatment plan through the use of office, and field visits; makes referrals to appropriate service provider. Attends court with offenders for hearings; informs offenders of all available services; attends and testifies at court hearings when subpoenaed by any court having jurisdiction over an offender. Conducts substance abuse and domestic violence assessments by the use of diagnostic tools; makes referrals to appropriate agencies; conducts treatment, educational and clinical programs for prevention and rehabilitation of offenders and/or families. Speaks to school groups and the general public concerning court related matters; corresponds and meets with counselors from various treatment facilities or schools for informational purposes.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of interviewing and investigative techniques and principles, particularly, as they relate to probation work. Knowledge of substance abuse and related problems and characteristics in an individual with substance abuse problems. Knowledge of the procedures, practices and methods used and of the agencies and institutions involved in the service and execution of criminal justice processes. Knowledge of state laws and local ordinances related to juvenile probation, particularly the Louisiana Criminal Law and Procedure. Knowledge of various state and local social agencies and treatment facilities that provide mental, health, vocational and legal services to law violators or related persons. Skill in the use of modern office equipment, such as: the telephone, copier, typewriter, computer terminal and related peripherals. Ability to recognize, analyze and understand the psychological and sociological problems of the socially maladapted person, substance abuser, or domestic violence offender and related problems and characteristics of an individual with substance abuse problems or abusive behavior problems. Ability to utilize community resources available for treatment of the maladjusted person. Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely, orally to groups and to individuals, and in the writing of routine reports, records and letters. Ability to deal firmly, tactfully, and impartially with people contacted in the course of the work. Ability to make reasonable and objective decisions and recommendations within established policies and guidelines. Ability to apply good work habits such as punctuality, reliability, preciseness, and dependability in order to effectively complete assigned tasks and contribute to the smooth operation of the department and division.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

NOTE:
The work examples described in this specification are intended only as an illustration of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from job performance requirements if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the job.