PROBATION OFFICER

Our diverse Anoka County team brings next-level talents, personalities and experiences together in ways that make us both effective and efficient. Our team of nearly 2,000 employees is united by a common mission to preserve the public’s trust. We do this by bringing our very best to work every day and serving Anoka County’s 345,000 citizens in a respectful, innovative and fiscally responsible manner.

If your career aspirations resonate with our mission, we invite you to Find Your Path with Anoka County! Apply today to join our team.

Probation Officer
Our goal is to create a safe living environment where staff can work with residents to make better choices and to build a safer community. This is a great opportunity working directly with youth, changing the direction of their lives and gaining experience in the field of Community Corrections.

Probation officers manage offenders in three juvenile correctional facilities, supervise offenders under court-ordered probation supervision or supervised release from prison, and provide court services to the Anoka County District Court.

This full-time benefit eligible position is located at the juvenile correctional facilities, primarily Lino Lakes, and requires shift work including evenings, nights, holidays and weekends. All institution staff are scheduled on a rotating schedule. Anoka County Corrections Department does not negotiate starting salaries.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES (ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY): Duties and Responsibilities
These examples are not all inclusive and are intended to be illustrative of primary responsibilities of an Anoka County Probation Officer.

• Develop treatment or case plans, conduct motivational interviews to promote positive behavior change, assess offender’s readiness for change, engage offenders in change process; assist with relapse prevention; facilitate groups or coordinate programs; develop offenders’ post-institutional/release plans.
• Collaborate with related providers including school personnel regarding offenders’ educational needs and performance; treatment providers regarding treatment plans and progress; social services and law enforcement agencies; and with employers and family members regarding offender/client behavior and progress.
• Respond to emergency situations and calls for assistance in the worksite and intervene with appropriate level of force.
• Communicate, verbally and/or in writing, with judges, law enforcement, prosecutors, defense attorneys, mental health professionals, child protection, etc., regarding offenders/clients.
• Maintain accurate documentation of case activity, include contacts with offenders/clients, victims, concerned parties and treatment agencies, etc., utilizing department and offender data systems and computer hardware.

Correctional Institutions:

• Supervise residents in all facets of juvenile institutional programming, and communicate information to other personnel to enforce rules, regulations and policies and to ensure the safety and security of residents and staff.
• Provide program supervision and facilitate treatment modalities on an individual or group basis.
• Comply with the disciplinary practices of the institution in reporting rule violations and applying sanctions.
• Conduct security checks of building and grounds and search resident, living quarters and work areas for contraband.
• Knowledge of the federal Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA).

Field and Court Services:

• Conduct investigations, research background, evaluate findings, prepare and present reports with recommendations.
• Represent the department and make case dispositional arguments in court or before an administrative hearing officer.
• Monitor and facilitate offenders’/clients’ compliance with court orders or release conditions; determine severity of infractions and take appropriate action; apply rewards and proportionate sanctions to promote compliance and change, develop case management plans targeting offenders’ risks for recidivism and treatment needs.
• Assess appropriateness of providing supervision for offenders from other jurisdictions or released from prison requesting to reside in Anoka County.
• Conduct office and home/field visits of offenders and facilitate chemical use testing in accordance with department policies.
• Knowledge of community-based resources to assist offenders in completion of supervision conditions and case plan objectives.

REQUIREMENTS: Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of Bachelor’s Degree in corrections, criminal justice, criminology, counseling, psychology, social work, sociology or related area; Master’s preferred
• Experience in correctional or probation setting, and client services; One year preferred
• Must have own transportation for business use, and successfully complete a criminal and a valid Driver’s License background check
• Must be at least 21 years old.

Knowledge of: Criminal justice system and processes; Motivational Interviewing techniques; effective behavior modification and de-escalation strategies; evidence-based correctional practices; State laws related to correctional facilities; Federal Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA).
Skill in: Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills, problem-solving and judgment; strong personal and professional boundaries; respect and understanding of ethnic, cultural, racial and gender diversity.
Ability to: Learn Department of Corrections licensing standards for juvenile correctional facilities and related court procedures; Learn and enforce safety and security procedures in a correctional institution; Respond quickly and calmly to emergencies; Assess behavior and respond appropriately; De-escalate conflict through effective communications; Model and reinforce pro-social behaviors to residents; Supervise residents in daily living routines. Stand and walk for long periods of time; Restrain residents by use of force and mechanical restraints; Develop and maintain working relationships with public, parents, residents and other staff; Use the keyboard; Demonstrate tact and diplomacy when communicating with residents, coworkers, visitors, public, county, and/or collateral sources; Maintain a customer friendly-oriented mode of interaction with various stake holders; Enhance professional growth through working in a team with other professional staff; Promote departmental mission through use and application of trained evidence based practices while completing assigned duties.
Work Environment: This position is located at a secure juvenile detention/residential facility located in Lino Lakes.
GRADE LEVEL: Salary
Anoka County Salary Schedule, Grade C012.
Normal hiring range: $48,422 ($23.28 per hour)
2018 full salary range: $48,422 to $72,592 ($23.28 to $34.90 per hour) Career potential up to $88,628 ($42.61 per hour)
After successful completion of an initial hire probationary period, eligible for a probationary period increase.
This position is represented by AFSCME Council 5.
Hours
Full-time; 40 hours per pay week.
Work schedule is shift work including evenings, nights, holidays and weekends. All institution staff are scheduled on a rotating schedule, and may vary based on business needs and at supervisor discretion. These positions are primarily scheduled to work evening shifts (3:00 PM to 11:00 PM). Probation Officers at these facilities work six consecutive days (including weekends and holidays) followed by three days off.

Selection Process
The examination/selection process for this classification will consist of a review of your training and experience from the application materials submitted. The most qualified candidates will be invited for an oral exam.

Additional Information
Include responses to all supplemental questions with your application no later than 4:30 p.m. on the closing date of the position. Resume and cover letter submissions are accepted but are not required. The resume cannot be used in lieu of the application.

If you have a disability that would prevent you from testing for a position under standard conditions or if you wish to submit Veterans’ Preference information, please notify Randi Mayer, Anoka County Employee Relations Department at 763-324-4319 so that every reasonable effort can be made to accommodate you.