SENIOR
PROBATION OFFICER 6512
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS
This
is a senior level professional position in the Probation Department responsible
for the control, supervision and care of adults and juveniles subject to probation
investigation, supervision or intake services which require them to meet
certain standards of conduct. The incumbent has all the duties and
responsibilities of a Probation Officer; however, he/she is responsible for
more complex assignments and exercises specialized skills in evaluating the
conduct of probationers, analyzing data, making recommendations regarding court
decisions, and coaching and counseling probationers. An employee in this class
is normally assigned as a lead worker of a unit or team leader over professional
and para-professional staff where a team approach is used, or incumbents may be
assigned special programs and/or projects. Work is performed under general
supervision of a higher level Probation Officer with limited leeway allowed for
the use of independent judgment in carrying out the work. This position differs
from that of Probation Officer by the complexity of cases assigned,
responsibility for special projects and responsibilities as a lead worker. A Senior
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
Performs professional probation casework
requiring specialized knowledge or skills, including supervision of a caseload
of offenders with extensive legal history and those requiring a high level of
supervision;
Provides intensive treatment using
methods including individual, family, and/or group treatment on the most
complex cases or clients that have failed conventional supervised treatments;
Serves as a lead worker of a group
of probation professionals or serves as team leader where a team approach is
employed such as in an electronic monitoring unit;
May assist professional or
paraprofessional staff who handle the less complex cases or issues in a
probation unit;
May assist a Supervising Probation
Officer in the review of unit work;
Designs and manages special
projects such as analyzing probation programs for departmental review;
coordinating probation programs; or, preparing, developing and carrying out a
staff development/training program;
Oversees case transfers including
reviewing and assigning transfer cases, and oversees and consults with
professional and para-professional probation personnel regarding interstate
case transfers;
Conducts
complex assessments and/or evaluations for placement into private or state
hospital and treatment programs;
Conducts complex pre-sentence
investigations on specialized cases such as sex crimes, multiple murders, fraud
involving complex restitution, or cases subject to a high degree of public
scrutiny;
Provides technical
and/or tactical assistance to Probation Officers making arrests and/or
conducting searches;
Acts as the family
and/or criminal court liaison for the Probation Department;
May participate in
committees, task forces, and other special projects outside the department.
Good knowledge of the principles and practices of probation casework,
including interviewing, investigation, counseling, case supervision, record
keeping and reporting; good knowledge of probation work with high risk
individuals; good knowledge of the laws and rules pertaining to probation work
and the functions and procedures of family and criminal courts; good knowledge
of methods of differential supervision of probationers including the
application of cognitive behavioral interventions and motivational
techniques; good knowledge of effective assessment, case planning and
management; good knowledge of special offender populations such as domestic
violence offenders, sex offenders, DWI offenders, youthful offenders and
others; good knowledge of risk and needs assessment instruments; good knowledge
of the social sciences, including sociology, psychology and demography; good
knowledge of community resources including employment, training and treatment
options; good knowledge of the factors related to crime and delinquency; good
knowledge of the rules of evidence, arrest laws and custody procedures; working
knowledge of the provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations and policies relating to confidentiality
of case record information; good knowledge of principles underlying human
behavior; skill in the use of firearms where authorized; ability to analyze and
organize data and prepare accurate and comprehensive case records and reports;
ability to conduct effective case planning and management for high risk
individuals such as those with an extensive legal history; ability to counsel
probationers regarding social, emotional and vocational problems; ability to
understand and interpret complex written technical information including
statutes, regulations and operation procedures; ability to reach logical
conclusions based on pertinent regulations and information; ability to deal
effectively with probationers and their families; physical condition
commensurate with the demands of the position.
PROMOTIONAL
Two (2) years of permanent
competitive status as a Probation Officer or Probation Officer (Spanish
Speaking).
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 5/28/19
SUFFOLK COUNTY
Competitive