PROBATION OFFICER TRAINEE (SPANISH SPEAKING)                                                           6509

 

 

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

This is a one-year traineeship used to appoint individuals to an entry-level Probation Officer (Spanish Speaking) position. Under direct supervision, an employee in this class assists in the perfor­mance of professional probation work related to the Intake, Investigation and Supervision functions in the Probation Department. Trainees receive continuous on-the-job training while performing duties of a limited professional nature. This class differs from that of Probation Officer Trainee in that the incumbent will be working with a Spanish-speaking population thereby requiring probation investigation, supervision or intake services to be conducted in Spanish. Proficiency is required in both Spanish and English. The term of probation is one (1) year, during which time incumbents will be required to satisfactorily complete a supervised in-service training program regarding the investigation, supervision, coaching and counseling duties and responsibilities of a Probation Officer (Spanish Speaking). Upon successful completion of the one (1) year traineeship, the incumbent achieves permanent competitive status as a Probation Officer (Spanish Speaking) without further examination. All work receives close and continuing supervision by superiors through consultations and observations of office and field activities. A Probation Officer Trainee (Spanish Speaking) is a Peace Officer pursuant to Criminal Procedure Law Section 2.10 and may be authorized to carry a firearm in the performance of his/her duties. Does related work as required.

 

TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES

                Participates in an in-service training program regarding the investigation, supervision, counseling and coaching duties and responsibilities of a Probation Officer (Spanish Speaking). All duties are performed with emphasis on fluent communication in the Spanish language.

 

Under the direct supervision of a probation professional:

                Gathers, verifies, reviews, and analyzes social, medical, mental health, substance abuse, sex offender, legal and other documentation and interviews defendants/respondents, victims, law enforcement personnel and other case related individuals to conduct pre-plea/pre-sentence/pre-disposition investigations;

                Conducts risk and need assessments and evaluates results for pre-trial, investigation, and supervision purposes and prepares reports regarding persons awaiting disposition of the courts;

                Promotes risk reduction by providing direction, support and coaching to help probationers change factors that promote and maintain criminal/delinquent behavior;

                Coaches probationers to develop new patterns of thinking and behaving; and develop new attitudes and skills which help sustain a constructive and law-abiding relationship with the community and reduce the likelihood of becoming re-involved in criminal or delinquent behavior;

                Makes home, school and other community contacts to assist in monitoring the probationers’ adherence to their conditions of probation;

                Prepares case/supervision plans; explains conditions of sentence/disposition to probationers; and, monitors probationers’ compliance with conditions of probation;

                Periodically reviews case histories; prepares progress reports, violations of probation and final report once a case is closed;

                Performs drug/alcohol screenings and collects DNA samples from probationers;

                Communicates in Spanish as necessary with clients, probationers, and their families, and may be called upon to act as interpreter for Spanish-speaking clients throughout the department;

                May arrange for medical, mental health, substance abuse treatment or other services for probation clients;

                May establish and maintain professional relationships with other social and law enforcement agencies that provide necessary resources for probationers;

                May testify in court or at violation hearings.     

 

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Working knowledge of the social sciences, including sociology, psychology, and economics; working knowledge of the social resources and services offered to the community; working knowledge of the factors related to the causes of crime and delinquency; working knowledge of the principles and practices of probation and social casework, including assessment, interviewing, investigation, counseling, case super­vision, record keeping and reporting; good knowledge of grammar, vocabulary, syntax and pronunciation in the Spanish language; ability to communicate clearly and effectively in Spanish and English; ability to understand and interpret complex written technical information including statutes, regulations, and operational procedures; ability to analyze data gathered through investigations of probation­ers; ability to counsel probationers regarding social, emotional and vocational problems; ability to deal effectively with people who may be under emotional strain; ability to express oneself clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; ability to maintain effective working relationships; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

                OPEN COMPETITIVE

                Graduation from a college with federally authorized accreditation or registration by New York State with a Bachelor's Degree or higher, including at least thirty (30) credit hours in the social or behavioral sciences.

 

NOTE:   Social science includes areas of study concerned with humans living in relation to other humans in a social environment such as anthropology, criminal justice, economics, geography, history, political science, psychology and sociology.

NOTE:   Behavioral science is a subset of social science characterized by observation of the behavior of living organisms and focused on human social behavior such as  psychology, sociology, anthropology, counseling, criminal justice, gerontology, human behavior, social work/social welfare and vocational rehabilitation.

 

                PROMOTIONAL

                One (1) year of permanent competitive service as a Probation Assistant or Probation Assistant (Spanish Speaking) plus graduation from a college with federally authorized accreditation or registration by New York State with a Bachelor's Degree or higher, including at least thirty (30) credit hours in the social or behavioral sciences.

 

NOTE: The probationary period will be one (1) year, in accordance with this specification and Suffolk County CS Rule 14.2 defiining the Probationary Term  for Traineehips, prevailing over Rule 14.3 Promotion for other than Law Enforcement Positions.

 

 

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

                At the time of appointment and during employment in this title, employ­ees must possess a valid license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State.

                Candidates must be a United States Citizen at the time of appointment.    

                There will be a qualifying psychological evaluation.

                There will be a qualifying medical evaluation.

                There will be a qualifying Spanish language examination.

                Candidates will be required to successfully complete the State Requirements of Peace Officer Training and Firearms Training as per New York State Criminal Procedure Law, §2.30.

 

 

R 05/17/2021

SUFFOLK COUNTY

Competitive