Probation Officer

As part of our total benefit package, Macomb County proudly offers medical, dental, and vision coverage, with no monthly premium to employees for single, two (2) person or family coverage. Health care, dental and vision benefits are effective the first day of employment.

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CLASSIFICATION TITLE:

SALARY:

DEPARTMENT:

Opening Date:

Closing Date:

FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt - overtime pursuant to Collective Bargaining Agreement or Human Resources and Labor Relations Policy

EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP: Just cause subject to probationary period

CURRENT HOURS AND STARTING TIME: Full-time (37.5 hours per week) position. The starting time for this position is 8:00am.

GENERAL SUMMARY

Under direction, performs probation services involving juvenile delinquents, investigates the background of delinquent youth to assist the court in determining the most appropriate disposition for each case, and assists assigned probationers in addressing the issues that brought them to the attention of the court. Performs related duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Provides case management services to juveniles on probation to prevent future delinquency.
 
Interviews parents, children, complainants, police, neighbors, teachers, clergy and other parties concerned to determine economic, home, social and other background conditions affecting the child involved.
 
Compiles social history, uses assessment tools, and prepares appropriate treatment plans based on information gathered.
 
Maintains accurate case histories, records, reports and other documentation.
 
Makes disposition and treatment recommendations to the court.
 
Initiates court proceedings for a change in treatment plan and/or placement of child when original plan has been unsuccessful.

Prepares court reports. Attends court hearings on probationer status and progress.

Refers probationers/families to appropriate community service treatment resources for substance abuse, mental health, or other related issues or problems.

Provides guidance to probationers/families and suggests ways to work toward accomplishing their goals.

Performs related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in Human Services, Psychology, Social Work, Criminal Justice or Sociology, or a related field

• A minimum of two years of related work experience, such as juvenile probation, case management, or mental health counseling

Preferred Education and Experience

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Human Services, Psychology, Social Work, Criminal Justice, Sociology, or a related field

Required Licenses or Certifications

• A valid Michigan Driver's License and an insured, operable automobile for authorized travel

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES

Knowledge of:

• Legal terminology and court procedures

• Assessment tools to determine areas of need or concern

• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment

• Local community service agencies and resources

• Social service practices

• Symptoms and behaviors associated with alcohol and substance abuse, mental health problems or issues, anti-social behaviors, and physical/family abuse

• Substance abuse and mental health treatment resources

• Methods of crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques

• Methods for accurately documenting case notes and maintaining court records

• Report writing

• Methods for adequate time management

• Motivational interviewing techniques

Skill in:

• Interpersonal skills necessary to develop and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships

• Performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature

• Prioritizing, monitoring, and reviewing work assignments

• De-escalation methods

• Effective listening and directed communications and motivational interviewing

• Operating personal computer with current office related software

• Report writing and documentation

Ability to:

• Meet schedules and deadlines of the work

• Maintain professional boundaries

• Assess potential personal danger and threats to own safety

• Diffuse and de-escalate crisis situations

• Communicate and interact with the public in a professional manner

• Evaluate and maintain case progress notes, maintain appropriate records and documentation

• Testify under oath in court as necessary

• Be compassionate and empathize with the client's situation

• Build and maintain a rapport with probationer, family, law enforcement, employment, educational, community service and other providers or persons involved

• Assess and identify substance abuse, mental illness, patterns of self-destructive behaviors and other problematic conditions

• Analyze and summarize the facts and other information

• Write detailed reports and communications

• Effectively speak, write and understand the English language

• Effectively speak, write and understand a language other than English is preferred

• Understand and carry out oral and/or written instructions

• Accurately organize and maintain paper documents and electronic files

• Maintain the confidentiality of information

• Work independently

WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS

• The work environment and exposures described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

N/S=Never/Seldom   O=Occasionally   F/C= Frequently/Continuously

Work Environment

Office or similar indoor environment: F/C

Outdoor environment: F/C

Street environment (near moving traffic): O

Construction site: N/S

Confined space: N/S

Exposures

Individuals who are hostile or irate: O

Individuals with known violent backgrounds: F/C

Extreme cold (below 32 degrees): N/S

Extreme heat (above 100 degrees): N/S

Communicable diseases: O

Moving mechanical parts: N/S

Fumes or airborne particles: N/S

Toxic or caustic chemicals, substances or waste: N/S

Loud noises (85+ decibels) : N/S

Blood Borne Pathogens: N/S

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.

N/S=Never/Seldom   O=Occasionally   F/C= Frequently/Continuously

Demand

Balancing on even or uneven surfaces/ground: N/S

Bending forward or backward bending at the waist: N/S

Climbing/Working at Heights up or down stairs, ladders, scaffolding and platforms: N/S

Crawling Inspecting in confined spaces.  Moving about on hands and knees: N/S

Digging: N/S

Driving operating any motor powered vehicle on sealed and unsealed roads: F/C

Grasping involves gripping, holding, clasping with fingers or hands: N/S

Kneeling flexing/bending at the knees and ankles to work at low levels: N/S

Manual Dexterity involve fine finger movements i.e., keyboard operating, writing: F/C

Lift/Carry

Up to 10 pounds: O

11-24 pounds: O

25-34 pounds: N/S

35-50 pounds: N/S

51-74 pounds: N/S

75-99 pounds: N/S

Over 100 pounds: N/S

Push / Pull objects away from or towards the body: N/S

Reaching overhead with arms raised above shoulder height or forward reaching with arms extended: N/S

Sitting in a seated position during the task performance: F/C

Standing in an upright position without movement: O

Walking considerable distances in the facility on multiple surfaces: O

Running considerable distances in the facility on multiple surfaces: N/S

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND DISCLAIMERS

Complies with P.A. 390, as amended, known as the State's Emergency Management Act and the County's Emergency Management resolution as well as all related plans, policies and procedures covered by those statutes.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities.  Please tell us if you require accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job.  Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment amongst other possible accommodations. 

The TPOAM - Circuit Court Officers and Professional Association bargaining unit represents this position.  Therefore, there may be contract language which could require consideration in the selection process.