Parole Officer jobs in Pennsylvania

Summary

Adult Probation & Parole Officers serve the Chester County Court of Common Pleas. Officers are responsible to supervise and monitor offender’s compliance with conditions of probation/ parole and case plans. The officer must give balanced attention to the safety needs of the community, restoration of the victim, and rehabilitation of the offender. Officers are assigned to oversee a caseload of individuals who have been convicted in the Court of Common Pleas. Officers will supervise individuals who have been convicted of criminal offenses. This can include but is not limited to sexual offenses or domestic violence related offenses, individuals with mental illness or a history of trauma, and/or individuals with a substance use disorder. Probation/ Parole Officers often travel to off-site locations, such as treatment agencies, individual’s residences and or employment. Community supervision is an inherent component of Probation work, as is a significant amount of documentation and other paperwork.

A Probation/ Parole Officer II has completed at least one year of service as a Probation/Parole Officer and completed an extensive training regimen. A Probation/ Parole Officer II demonstrates understanding of being trauma informed and trauma responsive in supervision strategies. Additionally, the Officer exhibits effective use of evidence-based practices such as risk/needs assessments, case plan and motivational interviewing with fidelity. At this level, the employee is expected to function with a fair degree of independence. An employee in this class investigates, advises, and counsels adults under the supervision of the Court to foster their personal, social, and economic adjustment in the community. Work involves the counseling and supervision of clients, and completion of Court reports which include fair and balanced recommendations regarding the individual’s needs and protection of the community. Work includes a wide variety of contacts with agencies, employers, associates, and families in securing information regarding clients, and assisting in developing effective rehabilitation plans. Although law and procedures regulate the work, the employee is required in emergencies to make decisions directly affecting the public safety and the personal liberties of individuals. Work is reviewed in progress through observing the employee in action, through employee supervision time, case audits, and through the review of reports and recommendations.

Essential Duties

• Provide ongoing supervision by maintaining regular contact with the defendant, monitoring compliance with rules and regulations of probation & parole, along with any special conditions imposed by the court. Officers work to ensuring community safety, identify violations and taking appropriate action.
• Maintain contact with family members, victims, members of law enforcement, the court, community, and treatment providers.
• Gather information through interviews with defendants, victims, court, law enforcement, treatment providers and other parties as necessary.
• Demonstrate the ability to effectively use evidence-based practices such as risk/needs assessments, case plan and motivational interviewing with fidelity.
• Support, promote and actively engage in the use of evidence-based practices such as risk and needs assessments, motivational interviewing, case planning and skill building exercises
• Utilize the risk/needs results to make appropriate referrals to treatment agencies to address the individual’s needs and continuously monitor the individual’s participation and progress in these programs to ensure compliance and appropriate outcomes
• Ensure that all information pertaining to the case is well documented, thorough, and accurate. Demonstrate the ability to be trauma informed and trauma responsive in supervision strategies.
• Complete and submit Court reports with an emphasis on accuracy, timeliness, professionalism, appropriate use of grammar and correct format.
• Actively promotes teamwork among units and the department as a whole.
• Attend and participate in local and regional meetings, seminars, trainings, and conferences to maintain the highest level of education in the field of probation and parole services, including knowledge about current Probation/Parole research.
• Support the Collection of fines, costs, and restitution.
• Perform urinalysis and breathalyzer testing, as needed.
• Provide professional court testimony and demonstrate the ability to and make fair recommendations for sentencing.
• Ability to successfully complete defensive tactics training
• Ability to obtain certification to complete C.R.N. evaluations
• Perform duty team tasks, which include assisting with temporarily unsupervised caseloads, answering phone calls, and interviewing new clients who were sentenced or released from prison that day.
• Perform other duties, tasks, and special projects, as required.

Qualifications/Preferred Skills, Knowledge & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• One year of Probation/ Parole experience.
• Intermediate knowledge of criminal justice terminology and court procedures.
• Ability to plan, organize, coordinate, and prioritize.
• Strong ability to assess needs and priorities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interviewing and investigating skills.
• Demonstrates integrity and honesty.
• Strong professional ethics.
• Must maintain a professional image.
• A valid driver’s license is required.

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Criminal Justice or related field.
• Familiarity with the laws and procedures concerning probation/parole supervision (i.e., search and seizures, violations, confidentiality etc.).
• Excellent organization and time management skills.
• Knowledge of illegal and prescription drugs, and the effects, and length of time spent in someone's system.
• Ability to maintain confidential information and handle confidential matters.
• Ability to make firm, unbiased decisions.
• Ability to work independently and proceed with objectives.
• Working knowledge of psychology and substance abuse would be helpful.
• Knowledge of evidence-based practices and motivational interviewing.

Additional Information

Relevant background checks, clearances, physicals, drug tests, and any other assessments or evaluations will be conducted after an offer of employment is given per County policy.

Computer Skills:
To perform this job successfully, an individual should have:

• Basic Word, and Excel skills
• Basic Outlook skills (Email and Calendar)
• Data entry skills for Case Management system
• Basic Internet skills

• Close and distance vision while driving a vehicle.
• Peripheral vision for safety reasons (ability to observe an area that can be seen up and down or to the left and right while eyes are fixed on a given point).
• Completion of self-defense training.

• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Will work inside approximately 90% of the time.
• Will work in the field approximately 10% of the time (visiting defendants’ homes, courtroom appearances, treatment facilities, etc.).
• Will be unable to carry weapons while in the field or in the office.
• Monitoring drug and alcohol use exposes incumbent to potential health risks.

• This position requires professionalism.
• Strong interviewing and communication skills are necessary, as you will work with a wide variety of clients, from cooperative to aggressive.
• May need to work extended hours.
• Will occasionally need to drive to and from locations.
• Completion of Self-defense training.