DIRECTOR OF
PROBATION 9386
DISTINGUISHING
FEATURES OF THE CLASS
This is the
highest-level management level position in a (Group D) Probation Department,
serving a jurisdiction having a population of 400,000 or more as specified by
Executive Law §257(6)(a). An employee in this class is responsible for planning,
organizing, directing, coordinating and controlling the activities of the Probation
Department in a manner which ensures the provision and maintenance of probation
services in accordance with established laws and regulations. The work is performed under the general
oversight of the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, Office
of Probation and Correctional Alternatives. The incumbent reports to the County
Executive. A Director of Probation is a Peace Officer pursuant to Criminal
Procedure Law §257(6)(a) and may carry a firearm in the performance of his/her
duties. The nature of the work is such that the employee is required to
exercise considerable independent judgment and initiative in the performance of
duties. Program direction is exercised
through subordinate deputies and administrative and supervisory personnel. Does related work as required.
TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES
Plans, organizes, and directs the
activities of the Probation Department;
Controls the work of the Department
through assignments to management and supervisory personnel and directing and
reviewing their performance;
Develops and implements administrative
processes, policies, and/or procedures related to probation functions
including, but not limited to intake, investigation, reports, case management,
probation supervision and graduated responses and violations of probation;
Develops and administers a
departmental budget;
Meets with Directors of other local
departments and service providers regarding the delivery of probation services;
Confers with Civil Service and other
departments regarding personnel matters and makes decisions as appropriate
regarding matters including, but not limited to employee hiring, counseling and
discipline, as necessary;
Confers with heads of other state
and local departments and service providers regarding the delivery of probation
services;
Provides descriptive statistical or
evaluative reports on agency operations or problems including reports to the
NYS Division of Criminal Justices Services, Office of Probation and
Correctional Alternatives;
Conducts staff meetings of executive
and administrative staff to discuss program goals, objectives and performance,
and to plan more effective and efficient operations;
Confers and/or meets with judges,
court personnel, attorneys, other law enforcement, educational and social
agencies and other entities involved with probation activities to help ensure
cooperative working relationships;
Ensures the maintenance of case
records and financial obligation records, and establishes appropriate related
policies;
Represents the department in meetings
with various community groups regarding the Department’s activities,
disseminating information and maintaining effective relationships with
community groups and resources;
Responds to media inquiries and conducts
agency public relations to keep interested individuals and groups aware of
probation activities;
Provides for the development and
maintenance of a program for staff development and training.
FULL PERFORMANCE
KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS
Thorough knowledge
of management principles and practices; thorough knowledge of the principles
and techniques of investigation, interviewing, case recording and report
preparation as they apply to probation activities; thorough knowledge of laws
and rules pertaining to probation work and the functions and procedures of
family and criminal courts; thorough knowledge of principles underlying human
behavior, growth and development; thorough knowledge of current trends and developments
in the fields of probation and community corrections; thorough knowledge of
methods of differential supervision of probationers including the application
of cognitive behavioral interventions and motivational techniques;
thorough knowledge
of effective assessment, case planning and management; thorough knowledge of
special offender populations such as domestic violence offenders, sex
offenders, DWI offenders, youthful offenders, juvenile offenders, juvenile
delinquents and Person in Need of Supervision; thorough knowledge of juvenile
and adult risk and needs assessment instruments; thorough knowledge of the
budget process; good 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 social sciences, including sociology, psychology and
demography; good knowledge of employment,
training and treatment options available to probationers; ability to understand
and interpret complex written technical information including statutes,
regulations and operational procedures; ability to apply management techniques
and plan, organize and direct departmental operations; the ability to plan,
supervise and manage the work of others; ability to establish and maintain
effective working relationships; ability to communicate effectively both orally
and in writing; ability to safely and effectively use a firearm if so
authorized; physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.
MINIMUM
QUALIFICATIONS
Graduation from a college with
federally authorized accreditation or registration by New York State with a
Bachelor's Degree or higher which includes or is supplemented by thirty (30) credit
hours in the social or behavioral sciences and either:
(a) two (2) years of experience as a Probation Director
(Group C), or Deputy Probation Director (Group D); or,
(b) three (3) years of experience as a Probation Director
(Group B), Deputy Probation Director (Group (C), or Assistant Probation
Director (Group D); or,
(c) four (4) years of experience
as a Probation Director (Group A), Deputy Probation Director (Group B), Principal
Probation Officer, or equivalent experience in a positon in a probation agency.
Note: Course work at the graduate degree level in
social work, law, public administration, criminal justice, sociology,
counseling, or a related field may be substituted for work experience on a year
to year basis up to a maximum of one (1) year of experience.
NOTE: All appointments
to the position of Director of Probation must be approved by the New York State
Division of Criminal Justice Services, Office of Probation and Correctional
Alternatives.
R5/28/19
Non-Competitive