CITY OF BONNEY LAKE POSITION DESCRIPTION Class Title: Probation Officer Grade Number: 13 Department: Municipal Court FLSA Status: Exempt Division: N/A Union: N/A Date: January 1, 2013 Location: Justice Center GENERAL PURPOSE Performs a variety of administrative and professional work in providing case management for the Bonney Lake Municipal Court. The Probation Officer is responsible for planning, organizing and administering a work crew program, and providing investigative, general counseling and referral activities for offenders placed on probation by the court. SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Works under the general supervision of the Court Administrator. SUPERVISION EXERCISED None generally. May supervise interns or other part-time or temporary employees as assigned. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Develops policies and procedures to establish and implement a probation office and accompanying offender work program in the City. Assists offenders in the development and implementation of individualized probation plans to meet conditions set by the court. Observes and documents offender appearance and behavior. Notes speech tone and characteristics. Observes urine collection and processing in compliance with chain of custody requirements. Conducts criminal record history review and assesses problem areas, including chemical dependency, domestic violence and mental illness issues. Conducts pre-sentence investigations and prepare pre-sentence reports on complex and multiproblem cases; identifies problem areas; presents sentencing recommendations to the court. Prepares written reports to and/or appear in court regarding the offenders compliance/noncompliance with orders of the court; uses sound judgment in making recommendations to the court. Maintains contact and correspondence with the court, community agencies, offenders, physicians, treatment sources, and other applicable interests in order to supervise compliance and progress of cases; maintains comprehensive log of contacts, information obtained and actions Probation Officer Job Description 1
taken relative to cases. Manages case files and filing. Completes data entry on the computer base system for caseload tracking, reporting, letter writing, and accessing appointment calendar. Plans, organizes, coordinates, supervises, and monitors a community work program with participating offenders in a variety of community service work, including but not limited to litter pickup, grounds and parks maintenance, community cleanup, general repair and maintenance, minor construction, and other assigned projects and activities. Orients new offender crew members to the program protocols, work crew requirements and expectations. Drives a vehicle with work crew members to various project sites. Schedules the work activities of the crew, provide instructions, inspects work for adherence to established instructions and work standards; acts as the program representative in work with City staff and the general public regarding program participants and assigned projects. Prepares and maintains records and reports related to program participants and crew work activities. Oversees the safety of crew participants and insure the proper use of equipment. Assesses skills of and assign crew members to work project tasks. Investigates, evaluates, reports and recommends disciplinary action in response to inappropriate behavior of crew members. Responds immediately to resolve problems and emergencies as situations occur on the job site, including equipment breakdown, injuries to personnel, and acting out behavior by offenders. PERIPHERAL DUTIES Serves as a member of various staff committees as assigned. Assists other court staff members as needed. Attend conferences and seminars and reviews literature, codes, policies, and guidelines of external agencies and bureaus to assure probation office compliance with applicable rules and regulations. Recruits, supervises, and train interns and volunteers to perform probation office functions. Conducts house visits to monitor compliance. Meet with offenders in jail. Hauls a trailer and facilitating the dumping of site refuse as required. Interprets and complies with court orders regarding offender sentences. Assist crew members in performing work tasks. Performs other duties as assigned or required. DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS Education and Experience: Probation Officer Job Description 2
A. Graduation from a college or university with a Bachelor's degree in sociology, psychology, law enforcement, criminal justice, or a closely related field; B. One (1) year of related work experience; Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: A. Working knowledge of the criminal justice system; courtroom policies, procedures and practices; legal forms, documents and terminology; community resources including local social service agencies and the services provided; state and local agencies and offices involved in court related probation activities; modern office practices, procedures and equipment including personal computers and related software such as word processing programs. Working knowledge of the operation of various of basic hand tools use in repair and maintenance activities; Working knowledge of safety techniques and principles for landscaping and custodial equipment. B. Skill in working with a diverse population of participants; Skill in Interviewing techniques; Skill in motivating others to initiate action; Skill in de-escalating potentially hostile individuals and situations; Skill in the operation of listed tools and equipment; Skill in planning, organizing and administering a work crew program; C. Ability to accurately record and maintain records; Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, other departments, officials and the public; Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing; Ability to effectively meet and deal with the public; Ability to effectively handle stressful situations; Ability to collects relevant case information and maintain interrelated records and files; Ability to learn, apply and explain laws, codes, rules, regulations, policies and procedures; Ability to listen effectively; Ability to relate to offenders and other people of diverse social, cultural, ethnic and lifestyle backgrounds. D. A key value of the City is customer service. This position requires considerable knowledge, ability and skill in the principles and practices of excellent customer service as practiced in both the private and public sectors. This value requires the ability to effectively meet and deal with internal customers and the public while responding to customers in a friendly, pleasant and professional manner using appropriate inflection, grammar and syntax. The ability to handle stressful situations while establishing effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, and the general public. The ability to maintain a professional, courteous, and pleasant demeanor in difficult, stressful situations while diplomatically dealing with difficult people. A willingness is expected to expend extra effort to help the public find answers or information relative to their inquiry or complaint. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Valid Washington State Driver s License or ability to obtain one within one (1) month of hire and a driving record acceptable to the City s insurance. Valid CPR/First Aid and flagger certification or ability to obtain one within one (1) month of hire. Probation Officer Job Description 3
Graduation from a correctional services academy meeting the requirements of WAC 139-10-210 is highly desirable but not required. Certification as a Qualified Alcoholism Assessment Officer as required by WAC 275-19 is highly desirable but not required. TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT USED Personal computer, including word processing, spreadsheet and data base software; 10-key calculator; phone; copy machine; and fax machine. Vehicle, trailer, mowers, blowers, edgers and trimmers, shovels, mowers, blowers, small power equipment, generators, pressure washers, sprayers and spreaders, personal protection equipment, and various other tools and equipment used in routine repair and maintenance activities, 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 frequently required to sit and talk or hear, use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is required to walk, and occasionally climb, bend, stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance vision, peripheral vision, color vision, and the 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 quiet. The work is performed outdoors in all weather conditions and requires heavy physical labor. Work may be in hazardous areas, including street surfaces, rights-of-way, medians, ditches, pits and underground vaults; and around heavy equipment or potentially dangerous tools. Assignments may occasionally require work in inclement weather and/or dirty, wet noisy or cramped work sites. This position requires the physical ability to perform manual tasks, and mobility to navigate all types of surfaces and terrain. SELECTION GUIDELINES Probation Officer Job Description 4
Formal application, rating of education and experience; oral interview and reference check; job related tests may be required. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change. Probation Officer Job Description 5