Job description

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. St. Joseph Probate Court provides reasonable accommodation to qualified employees and applicants with known disabilities who require accommodation to complete the application process or perform essential functions of the job, unless the accommodation would cause an undue hardship.

Incumbent serves as Bridge Link Probation Officer for St. Joseph Probate Court, responsible for conducting preliminary inquiries, pre-disposition investigations with defendants, making recommendations to the courts, and supervising probation clients for enforcement of court orders and probation terms. In addition, the incumbent is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Bridge Link program according to the policy, procedures and practices established for the program and juvenile detention center.

DIRECT REPORT:

This position reports to the Chief Probation Officer and is subject to the Probation Department’s chain of command.

WORK SCHEDULE:

Monday through Friday 2:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M.

(Some weekend days on Saturday or Sunday will be required at the approval of the supervisor.)

Essential Functions:

DUTIES:

Since this position, at its base level, is that of a Probation Officer, it is necessary for the candidate to perform all the essential duties of a Probation Officer in addition to those duties associated with the Bridge Link Program (BLP). All probation officers are expected to make decisions and act in accordance with departmental policies and procedures, maintaining a full caseload and in addition, performing all duties required by the Executive Director, their direct report, the Chief Probation Officer, or other members of the administrative team.

1. Process all assigned Preliminary Inquires. Steps listed below to be completed in a timely
fashion, and in accordance with department policy.
A. Review police reports and other paperwork included with the referral.
B. Contact appropriate agencies for any additional information needed, including victim if
necessary.
C. Determine the appropriate manner to handle the Preliminary Inquiry; scheduled
interview, conduct phone interview, send P.I. (without interview) notice, send letter of
assistance and/or list of referral agencies.
D. Conduct face to face P.I. interview:
1. oral and/or written advisement of rights
2. discuss incident and other relevant issues
3. complete write-ups of P.I. form, face sheet, summary of referrals
E. Make appropriate recommendations and submit to supervisor for approval.
2. Assure that all approved recommendations are completed.
3. Handle intake calls and/or walk-ins.
4. Respond to requests from police agencies for detention and authorize such requests in
accordance with statute and departmental policies.
5. Present probable cause information to the Court at detention hearings and make
recommendations to the Court regarding ‘release or detain’ decisions.

6. Coordinate treatment of Detainees needs for medical care, counseling, psychological
testing.
7. Complete IYAS Risk Assessment
8. Prepare pre-dispositional reports on assigned cases:
A. Interview juveniles, parents, school officials and other relevant people for the purpose
of developing dispositional recommendations for the Court, including a visit to the
juvenile’s home.
B. Collect and summarize information about the juvenile, his family and his offense.
C. Write a coherent, concise report indicating recommendations and the rationale for
each one.
D. Present pre-dispositional report at the dispositional hearing.

9. Supervise clients on formal and informal probation in accordance with the Risk
Classification of each client.
A. Prepare a needs assessment for each client.
B. Develop probation goals and monitor client progress.
C. Maintain client files and records, documenting all face to face and collateral contacts
with juveniles, parents and relevant others.
D. Make recommendations to the Court regarding termination of probation; filing of
probation violation and/or new delinquency petitions; placement of client out-of-the
home.
E. Complete all required case management forms and maintain case management
standards for client contacts.
F. Respond to crisis 24 hours/day, 7 days a week.
G. Monitor payment of fees and restitution.
10. Testify at Waiver Hearings.
11. Provide information to the Court, and make recommendations at all expedited hearings.
12. Check records for probation and police agencies and the US Armed Forces.
13. Provide technical assistance to police regarding juvenile referrals.
14. Transport juveniles when necessary to court, shelter care, for medical appointments,
and to private placements.
15. Work with community agencies regarding clients and their families.
16. Any and all other duties as assigned

Duties Specific to the Bridge Link Program:

1. Oversee and maintain positive rehabilitation milieu for BLP in the evening and weekends.
2. Develop, coordinate and enforce evening programming.
3. Conduct psychoeducational groups.
4. Assist and train detention staff daily who are assigned to the BLP Pod.
5. Coordinate and oversee home and community passes.
6. Install and monitor home detention, GPS monitoring units and related software.
7. Maintain all required records including but not limited to BLP Behavior Logs, Five Star
Life attendance, point-cards, levels and phases.
8. Write Incident Reports and carry out the relevant recommendations.
9. Coordinate with the BLP Assistant Supervisor and conduct weekly staffings.
10. Make referrals to service providers through KidTraks.
11. Coordinate with employers, community service providers and other persons or agencies
associated with the program participant.
12. Provide transportation as needed.
13. Plan and coordinate community events.
14. Coordinate with schools to ensure that the program participants’ educational needs are
met.
15. Prepare all reports necessary for court hearings, i.e., Modification Petitions and Status
Reports.
16. Attend all scheduled court hearings.
17. Complete BLP Orientation with new program participants.
18. Schedule, attend and lead Family Child Treatment Meetings as required by policy.
19. All other duties as assigned.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

1. Completed baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in: Criminal
Justice (preferred), Social Work, Sociology, Psychology or related field.
2. Pass the State of Indiana Probation Officers examination within six months of
employment.
3. Attend an orientation program given by the State of Indiana.
4. Have a valid driver’s license, a vehicle and automobile insurance.
5. Have prior experience working with and relating to juveniles and parents.
6. Possess communication skills, both oral and written, commensurate with a four year
college degree.
7. Be available to answer emergency calls and deal with client crisis after normal working
hour and on weekends; this requires a working home or cellular telephone.
8. Respond to all after hours calls for a one week period approximately four or five times a
year.
9. Comply with the State Standards to be a certified probation officer.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITY:

The ability to assess factual information and make decisions is critical to the job. These decisions have dramatic impact on juveniles and their families, and inaccurate assessments or errors in judgment could have drastic and widespread effects. Supervisory assistance is generally available for difficult cases.

1. Conduct all duties in a professional manner.
2. Maintain ethical standards of conduct while performing all duties.
3. Provide services as outlined by Indiana Statute.
4. Maintain a working knowledge of the Juvenile Code and the Criminal Code, including
jurisdictional, procedural, substantive and philosophical issues.
5. Knowledge of the above must be updated regularly as the State legislature passes bills
on an annual basis.
6. Support all departmental policies.
7. Follow all established departmental procedures.
8. Maintain a current and working knowledge of community resources such as counseling
agencies, youth groups, treatment programs for substance abuse, private therapists, etc.,
and the procedures for making referrals, and judging what services best meet client
needs.
9. Maintain knowledge of private child caring institutions in Indiana and adjacent states, and
know how to match a child’s needs with an institutional program.
10. Participate in court hearings regarding clients and provide testimony in a logical
objective manner.
11. Consider throughout all decision making processes, the needs of the particular child
balanced with the community need for safety and security.
12. Make decisions and recommendations to the Court at every stage of the Juvenile Court
process regarding action to be taken with a particular client including decisions
regarding detention, release from detention, informal action, formal adjudication,
placement out of the home, commitment to correctional facilities, restitution, services to
meet client needs.
13. Attend in-service training sessions, staff meetings and external programs to update and enhance skills.
14. Provide support for diversions services programs run by the Probation Department.

Every probation officer reports directly to a supervisor/administrator who approves their work, consults on cases and assists in decision making. There are many opportunities to seek help, but there is also a great deal of freedom in decision making. Since there are no set formulas for making decisions, within the guidelines set by departmental policy, probation officers can select options and alternatives that meet client needs.

The consequences for making errors can compromise the safety and security of the community, including clients and their parents.

PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:

Receives phone calls from police personnel, parents of juveniles, juveniles on probation, and general public. Responsible for answering questions, taking messages, and relaying accurate information in a courteous and professional manner. Interacts with juveniles, parents, grandparents, and relatives of juveniles, teachers, Social Service and Mental Health providers, Detention Officers, other Probation Officers, Police Officers, Administrative and Court staff. Must maintain a professional relationship with all clients, and their family members at all times. Probation Officers are expected to be positive role models at work and in the community.

PHYSICAL /MENTAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is generally performed in an office environment, however, the adjacent detention center personnel call on probation staff to assist with crisis that may put one in a dangerous or unpredictable situation. Home visits may also involve some risks in that all neighborhoods of the county are not equally receptive to probation services. Furthermore, probation staff may be the object of threats and/or violence from dissatisfied clients and their families.

The duties described above are indicative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities and normal task assignments of this job, and do not constitute an exhaustive list of all tasks which may be required. Additional duties requiring similar or lesser skills may be added at any time without the necessity of altering the description or re-evaluating the job.

Qualifications:

EDUCATION: Baccalaureate degree from an accredited College required. Degree in Criminal Justice preferred. However, Social Work, Sociology, Psychology or related field accepted.

EXPERIENCE: Minimum of one year experience in Criminal Justice or working with youth in a residential program preferred. Knowledge of the fundamentals of supervisory duties and good interpersonal communication skills.

SKILLS: The ability to relate to professional staff, youth, and their families without bias or
partiality. Competency to provide security for the community, staff and Detainees
through applied mental and physical skills. Capacity to use good judgment, problem
solve, anticipate, prevent, intervene, and solve crisis situations appropriately. Ability to
make rational, independent decisions regarding probation, detention and Bridge Link
operations. Ability to see what needs to be done, with skills to make sure the job is
completed. Must be mature and able to accept responsibility with minimal or no
supervision. Good written and verbal communication skills commensurate with a four
year college degree, are a must.

Apply online at www.sjcindiana.com

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $36,879.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday
• On call

COVID-19 considerations:
Hospital-grade HEPA filters constantly clean the air throughout the building, court rooms are cleaned using UV light machine nightly, and masks are provided to staff and community at the door. Masks are no longer required.

Work Location: One location

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