Probation Officer

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, behavioral sciences, social work, or related field and one year of related professional experience; or any equivalent combination of related training and experience. Must satisfactorily complete local, state and national criminal history and fingerprint checks. Applicants within six months of meeting the minimum education/experience requirement may be considered for trainee status.

Successful completion of all applicable background checks pre-hire and ongoing are required.

Position Summary

This is responsible professional work counseling juveniles and adults in activities related to legal conditions of probation for the Alachua County Department of Court Services/Alternative Sentencing program.

An employee assigned to this classification confers with offenders, legal representatives, family members, and other concerned persons, and reviews documents pertaining to legal and social history of the offender to conduct pre-hearing and/or pre-sentencing investigations and to formulate rehabilitation plans.
 Work is performed under the direction of a higher level supervisor and is reviewed through conferences, reports, and observation of the results obtained.

Examples of Duties

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

This is an emergency essential classification. Upon declaration of a disaster and/or emergency, all employees in this classification are required to work. 

Exudes a positive customer service focus.
 

Advocates building organizational culture through aligning decisions with core values including: integrity, honesty, respect, diversity, innovation, accountability and communication.
Conducts intake on all clients ordered to perform a period of probation by the Courts.
 Instructs probationers on all conditions of probation; makes treatment referrals; develops payment contracts with probationers; and makes referrals for employment assistance.

Makes contact with clients in the field and office according to established risk classification. Contacts are also made with family members, employers, and significant others on a monthly basis.
 Conducts investigations; pre-sentence, post-sentence and special investigations involving verification of pertinent information related to social background, criminal history, substance abuse, employment history, family structure and mental health history.
Reports compliance/non-compliance of court order and conditions through early termination requests or violation of probation hearings.
Monitors treatment compliance by established review with local treatment agencies.
 Inputs case management data into the Court Alternatives information management system.
 Serves as Officer of the Day to provide coverage of daily operations for officers who are not present in the office.
Maintains records on all cases.

Compiles information to ensure accurate statistics are available for monthly reports.

Performs the duties listed, as well as those assigned, with professionalism and a sense of urgency.
 NOTE: These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed in positions allocated to this class. 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.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
 Considerable knowledge of the laws, rules and regulations pertaining to parole and probation in the State of Florida.

Knowledge of the operation of the Alachua County criminal justice system.

Knowledge of community employment resources including business organizations and employment agencies.
 Knowledge of procedures and legalities involved in conducting pre-sentence and post-sentence investigations as well as other special investigations.

Knowledge of basic theory and current practice in the treatment of alcohol abuse, drug abuse, and mental illness.
 Ability to access probationers in emergency situations and implement solutions for resolution of problems.
Ability to plan, organize work, and manage time effectively.
 Ability to relate to and react to the needs of probationers in the area of securing employment.

Ability to objectively evaluate personal requests of probationers and make responsible decisions.
Ability to create and maintain accurate records within a computerized system.
 Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing and to prepare and organize written reports.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with probationers, judges, law enforcement personnel, other County employees and the general public.
 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 sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.
 The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close 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 moderate.

Standard business hours are 8:30 am – 5:00 pm Monday through Friday, but schedules may be adjusted to meet the needs of the department and clients served.

An organization is only as good as the people it employs. To attract and retain the best team possible, the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners offers a competitive benefit program. We believe that if we expect our employees to support the County, we must first support the health and financial well-being of our employees and their families, now and as they plan for their future.BoCC-Contributed Benefits

• Medical/Health Insurance  
• Employee Life Insurance  
• Florida Retirement System  
• Employee Assistance Program

Optional Benefits

• Dental Insurance  
• Vision Insurance
• Supplemental & Dependent Life Insurance
• Deferred Retirement Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Roth IRA
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Computer Purchase Program

NOTE: For detailed information regarding available benefits click here.

You may also view Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding benefits. 

• FLORIDA RETIREMENT SYSTEM (FRS) The Florida Retirement System is a retirement plan designed to provide an income to a vested employee and his/her family when the employee retires, becomes partially or totally disabled, or dies prior to retirement.  A defined benefit or defined contribution option may be chosen by the employee.
• TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Permanent, full-time employees are eligible for educational assistance funds. Contact the Human Resources Office for program details.
• HOLIDAYS Holidays are as follows: 

1. New Years Day  
2. Martin Luther King Day  
3. Memorial Day  
4. Juneteenth
5. Independence Day  
6. Labor Day  
7. Veterans' Day  
8. Thanksgiving Day  
9. Friday following Thanksgiving  
10. Christmas Eve (IAFF*)  
11. Christmas Day  
12. Additional Christmas Holiday (All non-IAFF employees)  
13. 2 Floating Holidays  (All non- IAFF employees)

*IAFF – International Association of FirefightersPay periods are every two weeks, Monday through Sunday. Payday is Friday. International Association of Firefighters follow the General Contract 7k regarding holidays.

Vacation Leave – Generous vacation accrual rates with payout of unused accrued leave, with some restrictions. For more detailed information regarding vacation leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-2.

Sick leave is earned at a rate of 4 hours per pay period by all permanent, full-time employees*. At the end of each fiscal year, eligible employees can convert up to 10 days of accrued sick leave to vacation leave on a 2:1 basis. For more detailed information regarding sick leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-3 *Accruals slightly different for IAFF employee.

$45,468.80 Annually