PROBATION OFFICER (SPANISH SPEAKING) 6508

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

This is the entry-level professional position in the Probation Department responsible for the control, supervision and care of adults and juveniles subject to probation supervision, investigation or intake services which require them to meet certain standards of conduct and whose primary language is the Spanish language thereby requiring the probation investigation, supervision or intake services to be conducted in Spanish. Incumbents are required to communicate with clients, probationers and their families in Spanish and proficiency is required in both Spanish and English. A Probation Officer (Spanish Speaking) performs all the duties and exercises all the responsibilities of a Probation Officer; however he/she does so in Spanish. The incumbent uses sound professional judgment and applies investigative techniques to evaluate the conduct of those subject to court ordered investigation, analyzes data, and makes recommendations regarding court dispositions. The incumbent counsels and coaches probationers and others receiving probation services to change patterns of thinking and behavior to help promote and sustain law-abiding relationships with society and to reduce the likelihood of becoming re-involved in criminal or delinquent behavior. The employee may arrange for medical, mental health or substance abuse treatment services. The employee may be assigned to a specialty unit as an assistant to a Senior Probation Officer, handling less complex assignments within the unit. Supervision is not a characteristic of this position. The incumbent is supervised by a higher-ranking probation professional. A Probation Officer 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

All probation casework supervision, investigation and intake work may be conducted in Spanish or English and translation services may be provided as needed upon request;

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;

Prepares reports and/or testifies in court regarding persons awaiting disposition of the courts in regard to the seriousness of the crime committed, the individual’s circumstances and risk to self and society and the legally permissible dispositional options and makes recommendations to court, as appropriate, for or against detention, residential placement or incarceration, as well as the length and conditions of probation;

Prepares case/supervision plans and interprets conditions of probation to probationers;

Supervises and monitors probationers assigned by the court and assists in their rehabilitation;

Conducts risk and need assessments and evaluates results for pre-trial, investigation, and supervision purposes;

Meets with probationers, family members, school officials, service providers and others having contact with probations to help ensure probationers are meeting terms and conditions of probation, including school attendance and participation in treatment programs;

Interviews and screens clients to try to effect a satisfactory adjustment of family-related problems without resorting to court action;

Counsels respondents and probationers in an effort to discover and resolve problems; writes reports and recommendations to superiors regarding the status of such counseling;

Prepares violation reports on probationers and testifies at violation hearings;

Establishes and maintains contact with other social and law enforcement agencies and cooperates with them in matters of mutual interest;

Helps to maintain a variety of records used by Probation Officers;

May assist Senior Probation Officers in a specialty unit by handling less complex cases;

May execute arrest warrants, conduct warrantless searches and/or warrantless arrests;

May use a firearm in performing duties while exercising authority pursuant to departmental policy.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

Good knowledge of the principles and practices of probation casework, including interviewing, investigation, counseling, case supervision, record keeping and reporting; good knowledge of the laws and rules pertaining to probation work and the functions and procedures of family and criminal courts; good knowledge of special offender populations such as domestic violence offenders, DWI offenders, sex offenders, youthful offenders, and others; good knowledge of risk and needs assessment instruments; working knowledge of social sciences, including sociology, psychology and demography; working knowledge of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations and policies relating to confidentiality of case record information; ability to analyze data gathered through investigation of probationers; good knowledge of community resources; good knowledge of the factors related to the causes of crime and delinquency; ability to analyze data gathered through investigation of probationers; ability to conduct effective case planning and management; 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; good judgment; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

OPEN COMPETITIVE

One (1) year of permanent competitive status as a Probation Officer Trainee (Spanish Speaking) without further testing.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT

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.

R05/28/19

SUFFOLK COUNTY

Competitive