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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

                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