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PROBATION/PAROLE OFFICER II
Fifth Judicial District Dept. of Corrections - Des Moines, IA

This job posting is no longer available on Fifth Judicial District Dept. of Corrections. Find similar jobs: Probation Parole Officer jobs

Job Description:
Close Date: Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday - 8 hours
each day to be determined with supervisor within
parameters of 6:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Thursday, 12:30 p.m.
  • 9 p.m. Days off Saturday and Sunday. Schedule will be
determined by supervisor due to maintaining the
efficiency of governmental operations.
  • SELECTIVE REQUIREMENT: Master's level education with
ability to be licensed in the mental health field within
12 months.

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:
Under general supervision, performs moderate to
difficult professional casework involving adult
offenders on pretrial, presentence, probation, parole or
work release status. Performs related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:
The essential nature of the work is to provide
structured services to individuals referred for
investigation or placed under the Department’s
supervision. A Probation/Parole Officer 2 is assigned a
great variety of cases and must investigate and report
findings and recommendations in clear and concise
statements concerning persons assigned to field or
residential supervision. A Probation/Parole Officer
identifies offender needs and problems through various
intake and counseling techniques and devises a plan for
the offender to successfully complete the course of
supervision. The work environment of a Probation/Parole
Officer may vary, requiring flexibility in carrying out
specific job requirements.
EXAMPLES OF WORK: (illustrative only)
Prepares and presents accurate written and oral reports
on offenders for the Courts, Parole Board,
Administrative Hearings, In-house Staffings, and outside
agencies in compliance with established deadlines. Such
reports may include presentence, probation/parole
violation reports, or reports for modification and/or
revocation of supervision.
Effectively communicates with offenders explaining
conditions of supervision, legal terms, legal documents,
policies and procedures, etc., in a clear and
understandable manner.
Interviews offenders, reviews documentation and makes
referrals to community resources for the purpose of
obtaining information which will assist in identifying
treatment needs and developing effective intervention
strategies targeted at reducing recidivism. This may
include conducting client management classification or
other criminogenic needs assessments, as well as
reviewing pre-sentence investigations,
psychological/psychiatric reports, substance abuse
evaluations, family history, work history, educational
background, criminal history, etc.
Formulates and negotiates a case plan with offenders
designed to address identified treatment needs.
Determines staff and community resources available to
address those needs and makes referrals as appropriate.
Closely monitors and evaluates case plan progress and
involvement. Amends case plan as necessary.
Conducts individual counseling with offenders in areas
such as: education, employment skills/problems, personal
problem resolution and family related issues. Mediates
crisis incidents in family, job or domestic situations.
May facilitate or co-facilitate group counseling in
specialized areas such as sex offenders, substance
abuse, youthful offenders, cognitive restructuring,
domestic abuse, etc.
Maintains a case file for each offender verifying that
the necessary documentation is contained and accurate.
Documents offender-related contacts in files and
strictly adheres to department policy and the Iowa Code
as they relate to the confidentiality of records.
Regularly communicates observations and perceptions with
co-workers, supervisors, and referral agencies to
enhance an effective team approach.
Consistently enforces procedures and monitors offender
behavior to ensure compliance with supervision.
Confronts offenders for rule violations or inappropriate
behavior in an assertive, constructive and fair manner
while maintaining a reasonable balance between treatment
and punitive actions.
Supervises and coordinates offender financial matters.
Assists with budget planning and ensures compliance with
the Iowa Code in making payments for residential
facility rent, restitution, enrollment fees, and other
financial obligations.
Recognizes and responds to potentially dangerous acting
out utilizing good verbal de-escalation skills and, if
warranted, using the least amount of force necessary to
gain control of the situation. Approaches situations
with the safety of all involved as the primary
objective.
Assesses/identifies alcohol/drug use and conducts
urinalysis/breathalyzer tests.
Regularly uses general office equipment, to include
computers, fax machines, copy machines, and the
telephone.
On a regular basis, will enter or revise data in the
statewide Management Information System.

Job Requirements:DESIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
Ability to organize and prioritize a voluminous and
demanding workload in compliance with established
deadlines.
Professional knowledge of casework and counseling
theories and techniques as they relate to human
behavior.
Ability to accurately and succinctly write descriptions
of human behavior in English using proper grammar,
correct spelling and sentence structure.
Ability to read, understand, and apply the Iowa Code and
Departmental policies to a variety of situations.
Ability to use effective interpersonal skills in dealing
with offenders, co-workers and the public.
Ability to relate effectively and with sensitivity to
people of a different gender, culture or ethnic group.
Ability to negotiate with and elicit acceptable behavior
from offenders while assisting them consistent with
policy.
Ability to assert one’s self in dealing with others
while retaining composure under pressure and remaining
objective.
Ability to solve problems exercising good judgment in a
variety of situations.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING:
Graduation from a four year accredited college or
university; or
Graduation from an accredited two-year or a minimum of
60 credit hours from an accredited college or university
and two years of human services/criminal justice
experience; or
Satisfactory completion of 18 months as a
Probation/Parole Officer I in a district or a similar
position in another jurisdiction or agency.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Must satisfactorily complete required pre-employment
testing and background investigation, including criminal
history data.
Barring reasonable accommodation under the Americans
With Disabilities Act, employees must possess or have
the ability to obtain a valid driver’s license, and the
ability to be insured under the district’s auto
insurance coverage.
Must adhere to the use of universal precautions in the
performance of job duties in order to minimize the
potential risk for exposure to blood borne pathogens.

SELECTIVE REQUIREMENTS:
May be required to satisfactorily complete LSI training,
based on assigned job duties.
For certain positions that work in specialized units, as
determined by the Employer, one or more of the following

may be required:
Ability to satisfactorily complete a background
investigation;
Ability to obtain a weapons permit and to carry a weapon
on duty;
Ability to satisfactorily complete training at the Iowa
Law Enforcement Academy or a similar training
institution approved by the Employer.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Ability to communicate with the offender population,
criminal justice and related agency staff and other
involved parties in individual and group settings.
Ability to establish a case file; review and document
observations, assessments and other related information
in offender case files within specified time frames.
Ability to comprehend critical information and complex
issues to make decisions within established policy
guidelines, time frames and legal parameters.
Ability to assess offender characteristics and
circumstances and organize internal as well as external
resources to address offender risk management and
treatment plans.
Ability to travel to various work sites and participate
in work activities such as training,
Court/Administrative hearings, and other related
community functions.
Ability to utilize available technology in the
performance of job duties.
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