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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDistrict Court Probation Counselor I JEFFERSON COUNTY Job Description Job Title: Probation Counselor I Department: District Court Division: Probation Report To: District Court Administrator FLSA Exempt(Y/N): No Union: UFCW BBP: No Salary Level: Grade 31 Location: Courthouse �. . Approved By: Human Resources Manager 231 fr eat/ Approved Date: July 2020 SUMMARY Provides counseling and supervision of adult offenders referred by the Courts in activities related to legal conditions of probation or parole by performing the following duties. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Supervises adult offenders referred to the Department by the District Court. Provides counseling to misdemeanant. May be required to conduct interviews and/or counseling sessions outside of the office including the individual's home, place of employment, or at the County jail. Identifies and assesses counseling needs of each offender. Encourages family members to participate in the rehabilitation and adjustment process of the offender. Maintains chronological records of the counseling and any supervising sessions. Conducts pre-sentence investigations which include interviews with the offender to determine the circumstances of the offense and to obtain information regarding the employment history, financial status, and prior arrest records(s) of the individual. Prepares pre-sentence reports for the courts. Determines whether an individual would be a candidate for probation, work release, or work alternative programs. Monitors the progress and/or activities of the individuals participating in a work release or a work alternative program. Ensures that individuals are given credit for the work performed. Establishes and maintains contacts with social agencies and community organizations which may be able to provide assistance with the rehabilitation of offenders. Jefferson County Job Description: District Court Probation Counselor I Page 2 of 4 Establishes and maintains contacts with local employers as a means of creating job opportunities for parolees and persons on probation. Confers with staff members, the Prosecuting Attorney's Office, Mental Health, and other agencies regarding treatment programs and general case work action. Conducts group counseling sessions on an on-going basis, providing rehabilitative services which may address problems associated with drug abuse, socialization, employment, etc. Determines if an individual is a candidate for a monitored program, coordinates and activities with physician, treatment facilities and the courts. Monitors said program. Assists in the supervision and monitoring of departmental volunteers. Performs other related duties as assigned. SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES This job has no supervisory responsibilities. COMPETENCY To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate competency in the following: Interpersonal Skills - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas. Oral Communication- Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings. Written Communication- Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information. Cost Consciousness - Works within approved budget; Conserves organizational resources. Diversity - Demonstrates knowledge of EEO policy; Shows respect and sensitivity for cultural differences. Ethics - Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values. Organizational Support-Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; Supports organization's goals and values. Judgment- Displays willingness to make decisions; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions. Planning/Organizing - Uses time efficiently. Professionalism -Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments. Quality - Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness. Quantity- Meets productivity standards; Completes work in timely manner. Safety and Security- Observes safety and security procedures; Reports potentially unsafe conditions; Uses equipment and materials properly. Adaptability-Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events. Jefferson County Job Description: District Court Probation Counselor I Page 3 of 4 Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives at meetings and appointments on time. Dependability - Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan. QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE Bachelor's degree (B.A.) from four-year college or university in social work, sociology, criminal justice, or psychology is required or an equivalent combination of education and experience. One (1) year experience related to adult corrections training is desired. LANGUAGE SKILLS Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or board of directors. MATHEMATICAL SKILLS Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. REASONING ABILITY Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. CERTIFICATES, LICENSES,REGISTRATIONS Valid Washington State Driver's License Must successfully complete the Adult Services Academy at the Criminal Justice Training Academy, within six (6)months of hire date. OTHER KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES Ability to perform work under stressful and dangerous conditions or situations, and after/during odd hours. Ability to assist in the supervision and monitoring of departmental volunteers. Knowledge of criminal behavior and adjustment problems of adult offenders and juveniles. Jefferson County Job Description: District Court Probation Counselor I Page 4 of 4 Ability to evaluate and act on offender crisis, assess offender needs, motivate offenders, and make recommendations to the Court. Abilityto conduct interviews and toprovide counselingon a one to one basis. Ability to physically restrain individuals, and to transport offenders. Ability periods. work on call for 24-hour PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. CAREER LADDER POSITION This position is the entry level position in a career ladder for Probation Counselors. The most senior level position is Probation Counselor II. Advancement from Probation Counselor Ito Probation Counselor II within the career ladder requires meeting the qualifications for Probation Counselor II and a positive recommendation from the District Court Administrator.