Career Information

PROBATION OFFICER

This is the beginning position at the professional level in probation work. A Probation Officer is called upon to exercise sound professional judgment in analyzing data and in making recommendations concerning court dispositions. He assists persons on probation and other persons whom the Probation Agency services. A Probation Officer works under supervision of a higher-ranking professional employee and may help to supervise the work of Probation Assistants, Probation Officer Trainees or volunteers.

Examples of Work:

May be assigned to an intake unit to evaluate matters for adjustment at the intake level or to perform supervision of persons in lieu of court action;

Obtains and analyzes social and legal data and prepares reports in relation to matters pending in the courts concerning persons awaiting disposition by the courts; and cooperates with them in matters of mutual interest;

Helps to maintain a variety of records utilized by the Probation Office.

Interprets conditions of sentence to persons placed under probation supervision, supervises such individuals by ascertaining compliance with conditions of probation, and counsels and assists them in problems related to compliance and to the maintenance of lawful behavior in the community;

Prepares progress reports on persons under supervision and periodically reviews case histories to determine degree of adjustment;

Prepares violation reports and testifies at hearings:

Establishes and maintains contact with other social and law enforcement agencies and cooperates with them in matters of mutual interest.

Helps to maintain a variety of records utilized by the Probation Office.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

Basic knowledge of social sciences, including sociology, psychology and economics; basic knowledge of social service programs and other community resources; basic knowledge of laws pertaining to probation work and functions and procedures of Family and Criminal Courts; basic knowledge of factors related to crime and delinquency; good judgment in dealing with people; ability to understand, interpret and prepare written material.

Acceptable Experience and Training

Probation:

Satisfactory completion of one year service as a Probation Officer Trainee.

Open Competitive

(a) Graduate degree in social work, education, administration, law, sociology, psychology, criminology, or a related field:

OR (b) Bachelors degree and two years experience in counseling or casework in a recognized agency adhering to acceptable standards in probation, parole, social services, psychiatric or medical social work, or related field;

OR (c) Any satisfactory combinations of experience and training sufficient to indicate ability to perform the duties of the position.

2002 STARTING SALARY $30,088

PROBATION OFFICER TRAINEE

The trainee level is used to recruit to the probation field college graduates with a career interest in probation. Trainees receive on the job training while performing duties of a limited nature under close and continuing supervision.

Trainee appointments are for a period of one year, following which incumbents receiving satisfactory ratings will be advanced to the title of Probation Officer without further examination.

Examples of Work:

Helps to supervise probationers by counseling and otherwise assisting them to maintain lawful behavior in the community:

Helps to maintain appropriate case records of persons under probation supervision;

Makes home visits and other community contacts to assist in monitoring and adherence to conditions of probation;

Helps to establish and maintain contact with persons and organizations in the community that provide necessary resources to individuals serviced by the agency:

Attends on the job training and special training sessions and participates in conferences and regular staff meetings:

Studies and reviews literature and other appropriate materials related to probation, criminal justice and social work to systematically acquire essential knowledge or profession.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

Basic knowledge of social sciences, including sociology, psychology and economics; basic knowledge of social service programs and other community resources; basic knowledge of factors related to crime and delinquency; good judgment in dealing with people; ability to understand, interpret and prepare written material.

Required Training and Experience:

Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university, or one recognized by the New York State Education Department, with at least thirty (30) credit hours in the social or behavioral sciences.

2002 STARTING SALARY -$26,754

PROBATION ASSISTANT

This is a paraprofessional position involving responsibility for assisting probation officers in a local probation agency in selected tasks related to the various processes of probation service. An employee in this title may perform such tasks for a number of probation officers and/or may be a member of a team evaluation or supervision program. The establishment of such positions enables probation officers to concentrate to a greater extent on individual, group and community needs requiring professional attention and specifically to offer greater supportive assistance to persons services by the probation agency.

Examples of Work:

Assists in gathering of information for probation personnel from a variety of sources, including public and private social agencies, law enforcement agencies, courts, employers, etc.;

Assists in verification of social and legal history data pertaining to individual serviced by the probation agency;

Assists individuals serviced by the probation agency in completing questionnaires and other documents requiring written information;

Assists in establishing or maintaining contact with persons or organizations in the community that may provide necessary resources for individuals services by the agency;

Assists in compiling statistical data for a variety of projects and reports;

Helps to secure information from various individual and agencies regarding conduct and progress of probationers;

May assist in resolving technical problems of probation relating to housing, health care, employment or other essential matters.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

Basic knowledge of community resources; ability to deal with people; good judgment; ability to read and analyze written material; basic command of language and ability to communicate clearly.

Acceptable Training and Experience:

High school graduation or equivalency diploma recognized by the State of New York.

2002 STARTING SALARY - $24,921