PROBATION OFFICER 6511
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. 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
Gathers, verifies, reviews and
analyzes social, medical, mental health, substance abuse, sex offender, legal
and other documentation; interviews defendants/respondents, victims, law
enforcement personnel and other case related individuals to conduct pre-plea/pre-sentence/pre-dispositional
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;
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; good knowledge
of community resources; good knowledge of the factors related to the causes of
crime and delinquency; 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; 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 or 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.
R 05/28/19
SUFFOLK
COUNTY
Competitive