Probation Officer I

Under the general supervision of the Community Corrections Supervisor, this position supports the mission of the Blue Earth County Community Corrections Department by promoting the safety of all citizens in building client competencies through increased community collaboration and restoring the victim's sense of security when affected by crime. The Probation Officer I is responsible for providing case management and supervision services to adult or juvenile clients, with the primary goal of reducing recidivism. Key duties include conducting investigations as ordered by the court or the Department of Corrections, maintaining accurate client records, collecting and recording relevant data, and coordinating drug testing programs to support public safety initiatives.
The Probation Officer I also makes unannounced visits to clients in the community, including at their homes and workplaces. The officer is tasked with developing, implementing, and evaluating intervention programs; conducting risk and needs assessments; participating in client treatment planning; managing crisis situations; and supporting court proceedings. Additionally, the position plays a critical role in reinforcing community standards, norms, and appropriate sanctions.

1. Performs client investigations. Determines criminal history scores; reviews written reports from law enforcement or other credible sources; motivationally interviews the client, family, relatives, victims, school officials, and other collateral contacts. Completes necessary paperwork including assessments, referral forms, data privacy releases, release of information forms, risk/needs classification instruments, etc. Determines restitution, community safety, client accountability, and rehabilitation. Writes investigative reports, bail evaluations, violation reports, discharge recommendations, letters, memos, etc. for the district court and the Minnesota Department of Corrections. Prepares sentencing worksheets, reviews, and interprets statute and plea agreements, and calculates jail credit for the court.
2. Conducts risk/need assessments according to department policy on clients under supervision. Assessments will be basis of supervision plan for the client in the community and will focus on criminogenic needs as identified on the assessment. Imposes a level of supervision of all clients per department caseload management classification system to enhance public safety, enforce law-abiding behavior and compliance with rules established by the court or releasing authority.
3. Provides client community supervision. Supervises sentenced/adjudicated and accused clients assigned by the court, county attorney, or Minnesota Department of Corrections. Monitors, manages, and adjusts client behavior in the community while focusing on areas of need based on client risk/need assessment. Utilizes individual cognitive behavioral interventions in individual appointments. Supervises clients through various correspondence, telephone, office appointments, and/or home visits. Coordinates case planning with the client, parents, support system, and other involved professionals as needed.
4. Maintains, prepares, and submits accurate, extensive, and complete reports to the court and Minnesota Department of Corrections. Maintains file and computer database of pertinent client information. Maintains awareness and compliance with agency and county policies and procedures, changes in statutes, data privacy issues, etc. pertinent to the performance and expertise as a probation agent.
5. Aids and promotes public safety. Exchanges information with law enforcement regarding the status of clients supervised. Issues apprehension and detention orders as needed to enforce discipline or prevent escape. Interacts appropriately with clients to search and investigate their behavior and surroundings, detain and calm resistive and violent clients, and judiciously use the power of arrest and detention. Provides after hours on call services as needed by management, law enforcement, or other agencies.
6. Assists in formulating, testing, implementing, and facilitating Correctional Programs and Department Policy. Facilitates cognitive programming in a group setting. Develops and participates in corrections policies and programming to assist in the rehabilitation of clients. Maintains statistical records to facilitate a process to determine the effectiveness of programming efforts. Supports the fee structures in place to assure support and continuation of programming efforts.
7. Assesses client intervention needs. Refers client to appropriate community resources. Ensures necessary services are delivered and confirms disposition of service.
8. Provides credible testimony in court. Attends and testifies in criminal and civil court proceedings. Represents the interests of the county, state, and federal government. Makes a verbal account for observations, actions, and findings while performing official duties. Attends all required court and administrative hearings and court functions involving assigned clients. Presents to the court or hearing officer and recommends dispositional alternatives. Testifies at violation and dispositional hearings. Communicates with other professionals for case consultation and carries out the directives of the court. Reviews court documents for accuracy and follows up as needed.
9. Coordinates drug testing program for the agency. Performs collection and testing for mood altering chemicals. Manages specimens, runs analyzer, and provides results to staff. Assures DNA collection complies with State statutes. Completes electronic monitoring referrals and sets schedules and exclusion zones. Communicates with monitoring company regarding violations and installs/removes equipment.
10. Promotes a diverse, culturally competent, and respectful workplace.
11. Engages positively with both internal and external customers. Communicates and interacts effectively and respectfully with colleagues, supervisors, representatives from other organizations, and the public. .
12. Performs the physical and mental demands of the position.
13. Attends work during regularly scheduled hours.

1. Establishes community norms, standards, and sanctions: Meets with supervisors, public officials, attorneys, judges, and law enforcement to develop innovative sentencing options and alternatives. Networks with treatment providers and human services to develop therapeutic program alternatives.
2. Participates in professional staff development. Participates in training and education opportunities to maintain and improve proficiency. Attends and participates in professional organizations. Associates with employees and departments from other counties and states for collaboration and to learn about ongoing research and evidence-based practices that are achieving effective results. Represents the department on local, regional, or statewide committees and organizations.
3. Facilitates training and education opportunities in dealing as a probation officer with client behaviors. Participates in peer support. Staff development will be focused on evidence-based practices in an effort to enhance officer skill set to reduce recidivism of supervised clients.
4. Performs other related functions as apparent or assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree with a major in criminal justice, corrections, sociology, social work, psychology, or a related field, and completion of a 400-hour internship in a community corrections or social work setting.

• Bachelor’s degree in related field and a minimum of two (2) years of experience working in a corrections setting or as a case manager in a community-based setting.

• Paid experience as a community-based Probation Officer
• Training and utilization with evidenced-based practices in a community correction setting.
• Proficient in understanding and speaking languages other than English, such as Spanish, Somali, Chinese, Sudanese, and Arabic, among others.

• Must successfully pass a background check.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and be able to drive in the State of Minnesota.
• Must attend forty (40) hours of departmental approved training each year.
• Must comply with all federal and state laws and organizational and departmental policies and regulations.
• Must adhere to data practices policies and standards regarding non-public data. Access to non-public data should be strictly limited to what is necessary to fulfill job responsibilities. While accessing these data, the employee should take reasonable steps to prevent unauthorized access by individuals without a work-related reason. Once the work-related purpose is complete, non-public data must be securely stored in accordance with county policies and Minnesota Statutes.
• Must not have had a performance improvement plan within the last twelve (12) months.
• Must not have had a written reprimand within the last twenty-four (24) months at the time of application.
• Must not have had a suspension within thirty-six (36) months at the time of application.

Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Occasional evening, weekend and overtime hours will be required. This position does require flexible and changing work hours with "on-call" as approved by the supervisor to meet the needs of the position.