Probation Parole Officer

PROBATION & PAROLE OFFICER (Havre #24414)



MISSION: The Montana Department of Corrections staff enhances public safety, supports the victims of crime, promotes positive change in offender behavior, andreintegrates offenders into the community. If you're looking for an o pportunity to affect positive change in the community and at work explore the opportunities available to you through the Montana Department of Corrections. You may be the person we've been looking for to join our team as well!

BENEFITS:

Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation package! Upon date of hire, employees are eligible for state paid premiums toward employee “core” medical, dental, and basic life insurance coverage. Dependent coverage and supplemental options are also available. Employees earn 15 working days of annual leave, 12 days of sick leave and 10-11 paid holidays each year. Membership in a Retirement System with a state contribution begins upon the first day of employment (vesting criteria applies). Flexible schedules may be considered.

NOTICES:

The Montana Department of Corrections is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. As such, women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within twelve months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection.

Materials submitted but not requested will not be considered in the selection process.

Tobacco Free - Use of all tobacco products, including smokeless tobacco products and tobacco substitutes in Department of Corrections buildings, is prohibited. In secure care facilities possession of tobacco products is also prohibited.

JOB DUTIES:

This position, guided by the Department of Corrections (DOC) mission, plays a central role in managing the correctional population, promoting public safety and encouraging offenders to make positive life changing decisions for their future. To carry out this responsibility, the officer cooperates with and solicits information from the public and criminal justice system, and supervises and counsels 80-100 offenders. Must have skills and abilities to equally balance social work and law enforcement duties.

The officer conducts pre-sentence investigations and makes placement recommendations concerning those offenders sentenced to DOC.These investigations are completed with cooperation from other criminal justices agencies and by using investigative skills; knowledge of laws, rules and regulations pertaining to probation, parole, incarceration, rehabilitation and treatment programs, as well as, knowledge of behavioral science. The officer then makes recommendations for rehabilitation, treatment plans, conditions of probation, the need for incarceration, and appropriate level ( i.e. local jail or Montana State Prison) to the District Court and Parole Board through a written pre-sentence investigation report. Officers refer offenders to appropriate resources or programs using departments supervision standards, a risk and needs assessment as well as knowledge of state and community resources and monitors the progress of the client for compliance. Officers investigate alleged violations of probation or parole using knowledge of policies & procedures pertaining to violations, search warrants & investigations.

Officers arrest and detain violators and testify in district court and information hearings relative to sentencing or revocation of client’s probation or parole status. Officers are trained to handle situations if probation & parole offenders or inmates become hostile & pose a physical threat. This requires the use of Oleoresin Capsicum “O.C. Spray” and firearms and carrying handcuffs.

• May be called back to work at any hour of the day and an officer may need to physically make an arrest, engage in forced entry and either employ or be in proximity of firearms or other dangerous weapons and access closed or hazardous areas.
• May be occasionally scheduled to work alternative shifts such as evenings and weekends.

Travel may be required.

PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER INFORMATION

This position requires POST Basic Certification after attending training at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy and successfully completing one year of employment with the Department of Corrections. In addition to the training and experience requirements, to be POST Certified, the successful candidate(s) must:

1. Be a citizen of the United States of America;

2. Be at least 18 years of age;

3. Be fingerprinted for a criminal history search;

4. Not have been convicted of a crime for which s/he could have been imprisoned in a federal or state penitentiary;

5. Be of good moral character, as determined by a thorough background screen;

6. Be a high school graduate or issued a GED or its equivalent; AND,

7. Possess or be eligible for a valid Montana driver’s license.

BRADY ACT & LAUTENBERG AMENDMENT - Any person who has been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence or is the subject of a court order of protection for “an intimate partner or child of such intimate partner” cannot lawfully possess a firearm or ammunition (Title 18, U.S.C., Section 922(g)(91)). Candidates who have been convicted of any felony or a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence or were issued a court order of protection are not qualified for this position.



Qualifications:


MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor's degree in behavioral science such as criminology, psychology, social work, sociology, or guidance and counseling. Related work experience may be substituted for educational requirements at the rate of 1 year experience for 9 months formal education as provided in statute: Qualifications of probation and parole officers are in statute (46-23-1003, MCA).


Eligible Training Assignment:

18.46