Parole Officer jobs in Lancaster, PA

JOB SUMMARY

This is an administrative position which assumes full authority of Adult Probation and Parole Services (APPS) in the absence of the Director and the Deputy Director of Administrative Services. Work is accomplished in coordination with the leadership of the Director of Adult Probation and Parole Services and includes a primary emphasis on the supervision and case management of individuals who have been sentenced to a period of parole and/or probation by the Court of Common Pleas of Lancaster County. This employee’s primary duties, under the guidance of the Director include: ensuring compliance with departmental philosophy and approach to the supervision of individuals, setting policies and procedures for supervision services and evaluating corresponding practice, determining the scope/effectiveness of operations within each division; planning for and guiding the course of division expansion/development; assessing staff training needs; reviewing fiscal/personnel processes. While this position’s primary emphasis is on the Adult Probation & Parole Services’ Office of Supervision Services, this employee will work collaboratively with and provide coverage for the Deputy Director of the Adult Probation & Parole Services Office of Administrative Services in his/her absence.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

This position reports directly to the Director of Adult Probation and Parole Services.

Two (2) Division Directors report to this position.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Collaborate with the APPS Director and Deputy Director, APPS/Office of Administrative Services, in establishing organizational framework(s), determining organizational philosophy/practices, planning/implementing operational direction, and evaluating organizational effectiveness/ compliance. 15%

Provide comprehensive managerial supervision and operational oversight to supervision divisions of APPS including research and decision making on case-related problems. 15%

Deliver comprehensive administrative leadership and managerial supervision to division directors in a variety of areas including, but not limited to, division planning, services coordination, and staff development. 15%

Provide agency-wide leadership and direction regarding the implementation of evidence based practices in a community corrections agency. 10%

Establish direct service policies/procedures/processes, in compliance with Court directives and mandated standards. 5%

Work with the APPS Administrative Analyst in the development and practice of performance management(statistical analysis, program evaluation, etc.). 5%

Assign work/planning duties to administrative staff and organizational committees; review the results of delegated assignments and coordinate any corresponding implementation. 5%

Act as a Court representative to a variety of county, community, and state-wide agencies and organizations by way of formal presentation, advisory contribution, and systems collaboration. 5%

Collaborate with the APPS Director and Deputy Director, APPS/Office of Administrative Services on the following:

Perform key facilitative role in organization-wide client services distribution, staff training, and division initiatives/expansion planning. 5%

Provide review for, and authorization of, personnel transactions. 5%

Assist in funding procurement, organization-wide budget preparation, and ongoing fiscal management. 5%

Assist in leadership and coordination of the Adult Probation/Parole Services Management Team. 10%

OTHER SPECIFIC TASKS OR DUTIES

Perform related work as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education equivalent to completion of a bachelor's degree program in human services or closely related field required. Master's degree is preferred.

Five years of experience as a probation officer, or in a related field such as criminal justice or counseling, two years of which shall have been at the full performance level. Additionally, two years of experience in supervising a staff of human service related employees engaged in the supervision or investigation of cases.

Or any combination of required education and acceptable experience which has provided theknowledge, skills, and abilities cited above.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and policies of the criminal justice system, including statutes, rules, regulations, and administration of justice.

Extensive knowledge of the operations, practices and procedures of probation and parole supervision, treatment, counseling, and rehabilitation within a community-based context.

Detailed knowledge of the various organizations, functions, and roles comprising the judicial, criminal justice, and human services systems and their interrelationship(s).

Thorough knowledge of methods and techniques used in supervising a staff of subordinate management, supervisors, and workers engaged in supervising probation and parole client caseloads and conducting investigations.

Thorough knowledge of the principles of evidence based practices as they relate to the field of community corrections.

Working knowledge of program, methods, and techniques used to evaluate unit/program effectiveness and efficiency.

Accurate knowledge and understanding of characteristics of individual and group behavior, particularly that of individuals involved with criminal activities and/or anti-social behavior, with corresponding proficiency in supervisory/case management skills.

Working knowledge of principles and practices related to full scope of fiscal administration, as applied to the preparation and control of organization-wide and departmental budgets.

Expansive familiarity with community resources which have the ability to address and meet the human service needs of clients, including that of a social, psychological, medical, economic, vocational, and spiritual nature.

Expertise and vision required for developing new program initiatives and the initiative necessary for acquiring the resources for implementation.

Ability to develop policies/procedures for and present administrative/managerial direction to a large criminal justice agency.

Ability to communicate effectively (both orally and in writing) with members of the Judiciary, District Court Administrator, co-workers, human services professionals, representatives of other agencies, and the public.

Ability to plan, organize, and manage time with efficiency and effectiveness.

Ability to make formal oral presentations, with capacity to teach/train, in a variety of group contexts.

Ability to work independently and as a team member.

Ability and desire to work with people and the willingness to do so with forthrightness, tolerance, and understanding.

REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS/CLEARANCES

The candidate must pass a criminal background check, a pre-employment drug screen and a driver history check.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

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.

Ability to sit, sometimes for long periods of time.

Ability to escort offenders from waiting area to office.

Ability to operate a computer or laptop.

Ability to lift and move files weighing up to 10 pounds.

Ability to effect an arrest of an offender.

Ability to defend oneself from personal attack.

Ability to provide own transportation to and from offender's homes, meetings, and other job-related appointments in a timely manner and ability to access those locations with reasonable accommodations.