PROBATION OFFICER

Do you want to make a difference in the lives of young persons who are in conflict with the law and their families? If so, consider this challenging opportunity with the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, Youth Justice Services Division. You will be responsible for supervision and case management of young persons, including creating assessment plans through liaison with communication social services providers to foster rehabilitation or reintegration.

Why work for the Ontario Public Service?
The Ontario Public Service (OPS) is committed to being an employer of first choice, creating a positive and inclusive work environment.

We offer:
• Competitive compensation and benefits
• Flexible work arrangements including flexible hours, telework (remote work), compressed work week, or job sharing (if applicable)
• Collegial and professional work culture
• Career growth and development opportunities across multiple business areas
• On-the-job training to support your success in the role

What can I expect to do in this role?

In this challenging role, you will:

• Plan and organize the supervision and rehabilitation of young persons in conflict with the law
• Liaise with related agencies in the criminal justice system and community resources
• Manage cases, prepare reports, and enforce court orders
• Conduct community, home and facility interviews/examinations of evidence
• Maintain electronic case documentation, computerized databases (e.g. Youth OTIS Elite) and statistics

How do I qualify?

Mandatory:

• You have a Bachelor of Arts degree in the social and/or behavioural sciences from a university of recognized standing
• Frequent travel required within the communities served
• NOTE: This position requires 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 (those who have not successfully completed the program and experience will be placed in the Probation Officer 1 salary range as an underfill)

Technical Knowledge:

• You have demonstrated knowledge of and experience with social work theories, case management, counseling, interviewing, principles and practices as they relate to a probation and custody caseload
• You have knowledge of provincial community programs, the single case management model, probation principles and practices, and knowledge 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
• You have in-depth knowledge of courts, legal and related administrative practices and procedures related to case management and to take legal action as required
• You have knowledge of community service organizations and the social service provider structure to use community services, identify service needs and provide case management and referral services

Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills:

• You demonstrate strong analytical, investigative and evaluative skills in order to assess and implement case management strategies focusing on criminogenic risk/need factors
• You use strong problem-solving skills to resolve issues by monitoring, evaluating, and modifying case management plans, and referring matters to the court and/or community agencies
• You have strong analytical and problem-solving skills to ensure compliance with court orders, determine intervention techniques, make resource referrals, and recommend new service initiatives and case management plans
• You have proven analytical skills to refer unusual problems or contentious issues with a recommended course of action to management

Communication Skills:

• You have the proven ability to write comprehensive reports (e.g. pre-sentence, progress reports), to monitor initiatives, to exchange information with professionals and judicial officials, and to maintain case documentation and statistics using computer technology to access the computerized offender management system (i.e. Youth OTIS Elite) and general office software
• You have demonstrated oral communication skills to provide counseling, group work programs (where applicable) and advocacy services, to interview young persons and their families and assess their needs to establish rehabilitation/re-integration plans

Interpersonal Skills:

• You have interviewing and counseling skills to assess young persons' needs and supervision requirements and to establish a plan for rehabilitation/re-integration
• You have excellent interpersonal skills to communicate with the courts and community resources and to participate in case management team meetings
• You have excellent interviewing, mediation, mentoring and coaching skills to motivate young persons to ensure court order compliance

Please be advised that the results of this competition may be used to form an eligibility list of qualified candidates to potentially fill future vacancies represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU). In accordance with the Collective Agreement, eligibility lists are shared with OPSEU representatives. By applying to this competition, you are providing consent that your name may be shared with OPSEU representatives.

All external applicants (including former employees of the Ontario Public Service) applying to a competition in a ministry or Commission public body must disclose (either in the cover letter or resume) previous employment with the Ontario Public Service. Disclosure must include positions held, dates of employment and any active restrictions as applicable from being rehired by the Ontario Public Service. Active restrictions can include time and/or ministry-specific restrictions currently in force, and may preclude a former employee from being offered a position with the Ontario Public Service for a specific time period (e.g. one year), or from being offered a position with a specific ministry (either for a pre-determined time period or indefinitely). The circumstances around an employee's exit will be considered prior to an offer of employment.

Remember: The deadline to apply is Thursday, April 15, 2021 11:59 pm EDT. Late applications will not be accepted.

We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for further screening or an interview will be contacted.