Job Specification
Position Title:
Probation Officer
Job Code:
10172 - Probation Officer 2
Purpose of Position :
To provide probation services to young persons who come into conflict with the law. To provide service to the courts by administering sentences imposed by the courts; maintaining liaison with related agencies in the criminal justice system; and through case management, preparation of reports, enforcement, rehabilitative interventions, the development/provision of Ministry in-house programs and the utilization of community resources.
Duties / Responsibilities :
Job requires:
1)Through a ministry-endorsed single case management model, assessing criminogenic risk and need, developing and implementing young person case management plans and providing rehabilitative interventions and other case management services to young persons (e.g. assessing risk/needs, motivating young persons towards change and compliance with conditions, applying effective intervention strategies geared to rehabilitation and referring to other agencies).
2)Maintaining electronic case documentation, computerized databases (e.g. Youth OTIS Elite) and statistics in compliance with all ministry administrative standards and directives, including various tracking mechanisms (e.g. mechanism for outstanding warrants).
3)Providing intensive supervision of young persons classified as high risk to cause harm to self and others. Working closely with other related agencies that may be involved in the process of managing these youth, and with collateral contacts, with relevant community agencies, and young persons' parents/guardians.
4)Coordinating the case management of young persons through visits in their community environment, and through resources such as community agencies, volunteers and students.
5)Working closely with residential and non-residential service providers as required for case management purposes or other functions as detailed in youth justice policies and manuals.
6)Preparing reports ordered by the courts in accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act (e.g. Pre-Sentence Reports, Progress Reports) for the purposes of recommending suitable rehabilitation/re-integration plans and conditions to meet the young persons needs and enhance Community safety. Performing court liaison duties as required such as arranging requests and/or providing recommendations for Reintegration Leave applications and attending court to provide information or evidence. Attending Youth Court to provide information to the judiciary as to available program supports and community resources.
7)Monitoring and enforcing conditions of court orders in accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act (e.g. probation orders, deferred custody and supervision orders, custody and community supervision orders) as well as other sentence orders imposed by the court. Reporting violations/breaches and recommending and/or initiating all required enforcement processes.
8)Conducting community, home and facility interviews/investigations for the purpose of obtaining and assessing information concerning the young person (e.g. offending behaviour, needs/risks, personal family background, emotional health problems) and ensuring offender compliance with legal requirements.
9)Working with young persons associates and their significant others to improve relationships and establish a rehabilitative environment that leads to satisfaction of court ordered conditions while addressing criminogenic targets and needs of the young person.
10)Advise Probation Manager as to any concerns with contracted Youth Justice agencies for the purposes of quality assurance. Participate in the planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating of initiatives in the community and alternatives to custody.
11)Ensuring contact with victims as required, assisting and promoting victim safety, and reinforcing the young persons accountability and compliance with legal requirements within the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Note: This position description reflects the key responsibilities of the job. The Provincial Director/Probation Manager has the right to assign additional duties. This description describes the normal or usual job requirements.
Staffing and Licensing :
Job requires a Bachelor of Arts degree in the social and/or behavioural sciences from a university of recognized standing. Successful completion of the ministry professional development program in the areas of law, case management and administration and the prescribed ministry on the job training program plus two years experience as a Probation Officer 1. In designated positions, advanced level oral and written French is required. Frequent travel required within the communities served.
Knowledge :
Job requires a sound knowledge of social work theories including analytical skills to prepare reports for the courts to assist in disposition and enforcement, to interact and exchange client information with professionals and judicial officials, to interview young persons and assess their needs to establish a plan for rehabilitation/re-integration. Job requires knowledge of provincial community programs, ministry policies/practices/standards in the areas of counseling and legal administration, the single case management model, probation principles and practices and specific knowledge of relevant sections of federal and provincial legislation (e.g. Youth Criminal Justice Act, Criminal Code of Canada, Child and Family Services Act, Provincial Offenses Act, Education Act) to coordinate case management of assigned young persons, assess criminogenic risk and need and recommend, monitor and evaluate new initiatives. Job requires knowledge of courts, legal and related administrative practices and procedures to carry out duties related to case management and to take legal action with respect to enforcement. Job requires knowledge of community service organizations and the social service provider structure to effectively utilize community services organizations and agencies, monitor agency involvement as related to services provided to young persons, identify service needs and provide case management and referral services. Job requires knowledge and demonstrated ability in the use of computer technology to access the computerized offender management system (i.e. Youth OTIS Elite) and word processing equipment/software packages to input/retrieve offender data, prepare reports and maintain case documentation and statistics. In designated positions, job requires knowledge of advanced level oral and written French.
Skills :
Job requires analytical, investigative and evaluative skills to assess and implement case management strategies focusing on criminogenic risk/need factors. Job requires interviewing and counseling skills to assess young person's needs and supervision requirements, as ordered by the court, and to establish a plan for rehabilitation/re-integration. Job requires: resolving problems by monitoring, evaluating, and modifying case management plans; resolving enforcement/reporting issues by referring matters to the court and/or community agencies for assistance and direction with case management. Job requires written and oral communication skills to write comprehensive reports (e.g. pre-sentence, progress reports), to recommend and monitor new initiatives and to exchange information using legal terminology when conferring with a variety of individuals such as judges, lawyers, medical professionals, social workers, police, clients, and community agency partners. Job requires excellent interpersonal skills to communicate with the courts and community resources and to participate in case management team meetings. Job requires advanced communication skills to provide counseling, group work programs (where applicable) and advocacy services to meet the young person's needs. Job requires mediation, mentoring and coaching skills to motivate young persons to comply with court orders.
Freedom of Action :
Job requires working within provincial probation program objectives, policies and procedures, single case management model and relevant sections of legislation, including confidentiality and conflict of interest requirements. Latitude for decision making exists when: making decisions with respect to compliance with court orders, determining appropriate intervention techniques for supervision of young persons, making referrals to community resources, recommending new service initiatives and when re-assessing case management plans. The Provincial Director ensures adherence to ministry standards by regular audits and file reviews of case management processes including documentation and Risk Needs Assessment applications. Job requires referral of unusual problems or contentious issues (e.g. high profile information related to media covered issues or high risk to society, serious non-compliance of court orders, client suicide) with a recommended course of action to the Probation Manager for advice, guidance and authorization.