PROBATION ASSISTANT 6501
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE
CLASS
Under general supervision, an
employee in this class performs para-professional probation casework and is not
a Peace Officer pursuant to the NYS Criminal Procedure Law. The incumbent is
responsible for assisting Probation Officers in the performance of tasks which
may include pre-dispositional/pre-trial interviews and screening; making
recommendations for suitability for pre-trial release; opening and closing
cases; monitoring individuals with pending cases; and notifying courts of case status.
An incumbent may assist in the control and supervision of probationers by
processing inter and intra-state transfers; serving as the department’s point
of contact for transfer of records and files with other probation departments,
law enforcement agencies or courts; delivering documents to law enforcement
agencies and the courts; and assisting with the collection of financial obligations.
An incumbent may perform such tasks for a number of Probation Officers or as a
member of a group program. Work is supervised by a Supervising Probation
Officer or higher level probation professional through frequent consultations
and review of work performed. Does related work as required.
TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES
Interviews individuals in custody of a law
enforcement agency to assess their suitability for release from detention
pending trial, monitors status of
individuals relapsed and notifies courts of their status;
Assists in gathering information for probation
personnel from a variety of sources, including public and private social
agencies, law enforcement agencies, courts, employers, etc.;
Supports the department’s involvement with specialty
courts which may include gathering information; conducting drug/alcohol
screenings; contacting victims, law enforcement or human service agencies,
treatment providers and other involved parties; and in verification of social
and legal history data pertaining to individuals serviced by the department;
Assists individuals serviced by the probation agency
in completing questionnaires, family court petition forms and other documents
requiring written information, and by answering general questions;
Assists in establishing or maintaining contact with
persons or organizations in the community that may provide necessary resources
for individuals serviced by the agency;
Assists in the more routine interviews of probation
clients to ascertain conduct and progress of probationers and/or to resolve
probationers' problems relating to housing, health care, employment, family
support or other essential matters;
May provide employment preparedness assessments and
related training and assistance;
Registers and updates case data; conducts record
checks through local, state and federal databases; and produces reports;
Gathers and verifies data for the preparation of
memorandums, correspondence, transfer orders, discharge letters and other
documents;
May perform drug and alcohol screenings and collect
DNA samples.
FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES,
SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Good knowledge of pre-trial
court procedures; good knowledge of interviewing methods necessary to determine
suitability for pre-trial release from detention; good knowledge of tools used
to monitor compliance with conditions of probation, such as drug and alcohol
screening, DNA collection and electronic monitoring devices; good knowledge of
the geography of the jurisdiction employed in; working knowledge of laws
pertaining to probation work and functions and procedures of family and
criminal courts; working knowledge of the provisions of the Health Insurance
Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations and policies relating to
confidentiality of case record information; working knowledge of special
offender populations such as domestic violence offenders, sex offenders, DWI
offenders, youthful offenders, juvenile offenders, Persons in Need of
Supervision and juvenile delinquents; working knowledge of juvenile and adult
risk and needs assessment instruments; working knowledge of factors related to
crime and delinquency; working knowledge of the rules of evidence, arrest laws
and custody procedures; working knowledge of community resources; working
knowledge of employment, training and treatment options available to
probationers; working knowledge of office terminology, procedures, equipment
and business English; ability to interview detainees and assess their
suitability for pre-trial release; ability to review and explain conditions of
probation to a probationer; ability to gather and organize information related
to the work performed; ability keep routine records; ability to administer
drug, alcohol testing and collect DNA samples as needed; ability to establish
and maintain effective working relationships with others; ability to understand
and follow oral and written instructions; ability to communicate effectively
both orally and in writing; ability to understand and empathize with the needs
and concerns of others; ability to maintain composure and make rational
judgments under stressful conditions; physical condition commensurate with the
demands of the position.
OPEN COMPETITIVE
Either:
a) Graduation from a college with federally authorized
accreditation or registration by New York State with an Associate's Degree or
higher in criminal justice, human services, chemical dependency counseling,
business administration, or a closely related field; or,
b) Graduation from a standard senior high school or
possession of a high school equivalency diploma, and two (2) years of experience
working with the public in a public or private human services agency or a
criminal justice or juvenile justice agency; or,
c) An equivalent combination of education and
experience as defined by the limits of a) and b).
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT
Candidate must successfully
pass a qualifying medical and psychological evaluation authorized by the
Suffolk County Department of Civil Service.
At the time of appointment and
during employment in this title, candidates are required to possess a valid
license to operate a motor vehicle in New York.
R 05/28/2019
SUFFOLK COUNTY
Competitive