16th Judicial Circuit
Job Description
Job Title: Probation Officer
Department: Probation Services
Reports To: Probation Services Manager
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Prepared By: Holly Elomina
Prepared Date: 7/17/2019
Ammended By: Duane Triplett
Ammended Date: 10/06/2022
SUMMARY:
This is responsible and professional work involving court appearances and the effective supervision of defendants placed on misdemeanor probation,
Pretrial Intervention, and Back on Track supervision. The core responsibilities of the position are attending court and enrolling defendants; supervising
defendants placed on misdemeanor probation, Pretrial Intervention, or Back on Track supervision; monitoring compliance with court orders; preparing
required documents; and making recommendations to the Court, while maintaining strict confidentiality. Strong working relationships must be developed
with members of the Judiciary and other court employees, offices of the State Attorney, Public Defender, Regional Counsel, Clerk of Court, Department
of Corrections, various treatment providers, private defense counsel and other related agencies and the public.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Each officer will have the ability to perform both the Case Supervision and Court Officer position. This
list is not exhaustive; other duties may be assigned at any time.
Case Supervision Duties/Responsibilities:
Conduct orientation on program requirements to defendants placed on supervision;
Provide Case Management
functions to defendants placed on supervision, focusing on improving success rates through evidence-cased practices by:
- Directing probationers to community resources and following up with sad providers regarding probationers progress;
- motivating and redirecting defendants to assist in completion of program requirements;
- monitoring and collecting cost of supervision fees, fines and court costs and restitution payments;
- conducting on-going supervision and case review of all defendants on assigned caseload;
- maintaining accurate and up-to-date case files on all defendants on caseload;
- referring defendants to drug and alcohol screening;
- completing quarterly FCIC/NCIC background checks and history of all defendants on caseload;
- completing a risk and needs assessment and case supervision plan for all defendants on caseload.
Assist the Court in making informed, case-specific decisions by providing accurate and timely information regarding:
- the monitoring and enforcing of court orders and performing investigations to ensure compliance with said court orders;
- the compiling of information for preparation/delivery of detailed reports to the Court orally and in writing;
- providing notification of non-compliance to the Court, as well as submitting warrants or notices to appear;
- making recommendations to the Court regarding requests for warrants, modifications of probation conditions, referrals to outside agencies, dismissals
of warrants, and violations of probation; - testifying in court as required;
Court Officer Duties/Responsibilities:Attend all necessary court events held by County Court Judges;
Act as Probation’s liaison with the Court and other court personnel;
Prepare required documents for use in court; make recommendations to the Court; assist the Court regarding the status of probationers and Back on Track/Pretrial Intervention and testify in Court as required;
Enroll defendants into probation at court by having them complete required documents and inform defendants of their initial court-ordered responsibilities;
Enter all Probation cases/Back on Track/Pretrial Intervention Agreements into case management system and conduct ongoing and periodic review to ensure all defendants were properly entered into the system, provide defendants/attorneys the necessary Back on Track paperwork and assist them with entry into the program;
Properly execute Orders of Probation and file them with the Clerk of Court; transmit all necessary documents to the officer supervising the probationer;
Administrative responsibilities to include, but not limited to checking Probation’s mailboxes at the Courthouse, State Attorney’s Office, and the Clerk’s Office several times a week; collection of cost of supervision, fees, fines, court costs and restitution payments and telephone and email communications with clients, attorneys and ancillary agencies.
QUALIFICATIONSTo perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Knowledge of computers; knowledge of the Florida State Court System, Trial Court process and criminal justice system; knowledge of the principles of public administration; and the ability to communicate effectively. Ability to research, recommend and implement improvements to court operations, programs and services; Ability to use independent judgment and discretion and maintain confidentiality of sensitive issues; Ability to prepare and present comprehensive reports; Ability to establish working relationships with judges, court personnel, clerk of court personnel, state and county officials, attorneys, local organizations and social service agencies and the general public.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCEGraduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in judicial administration, public administration, criminology, psychology or a related social science. One year of professional experience in the criminal justice system.
Progressively responsible experience in the criminal justice system may substitute, on a year for year basis, for the bachelor's degree.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIESNone
LANGUAGE SKILLSAbility to read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints. Ability to write speeches and articles using original or innovative techniques or style. Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLSAbility to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
REASONING ABILITYAbility to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONSFlorida Driver's license; Obtain and maintain NCIC/FCIC computer operator certification within thirty (30) days of hire date.
PHYSICAL DEMANDSThe physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus to develop visual presentations for targeted audiences.
WORK ENVIRONMENTThe work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonableaccommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions, extreme heat, and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
SAFETY OF OTHERS:Requires some responsibility for safety and/or for occasional enforcement of the standards of public safety.
Act as Probation’s liaison with the Court and other court personnel;
Prepare required documents for use in court; make recommendations to the Court; assist the Court regarding the status of probationers and Back on Track/Pretrial Intervention and testify in Court as required;
Enroll defendants into probation at court by having them complete required documents and inform defendants of their initial court-ordered responsibilities;
Enter all Probation cases/Back on Track/Pretrial Intervention Agreements into case management system and conduct ongoing and periodic review to ensure all defendants were properly entered into the system, provide defendants/attorneys the necessary Back on Track paperwork and assist them with entry into the program;
Properly execute Orders of Probation and file them with the Clerk of Court; transmit all necessary documents to the officer supervising the probationer;
Administrative responsibilities to include, but not limited to checking Probation’s mailboxes at the Courthouse, State Attorney’s Office, and the Clerk’s Office several times a week; collection of cost of supervision, fees, fines, court costs and restitution payments and telephone and email communications with clients, attorneys and ancillary agencies.
QUALIFICATIONSTo perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Knowledge of computers; knowledge of the Florida State Court System, Trial Court process and criminal justice system; knowledge of the principles of public administration; and the ability to communicate effectively. Ability to research, recommend and implement improvements to court operations, programs and services; Ability to use independent judgment and discretion and maintain confidentiality of sensitive issues; Ability to prepare and present comprehensive reports; Ability to establish working relationships with judges, court personnel, clerk of court personnel, state and county officials, attorneys, local organizations and social service agencies and the general public.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCEGraduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in judicial administration, public administration, criminology, psychology or a related social science. One year of professional experience in the criminal justice system.
Progressively responsible experience in the criminal justice system may substitute, on a year for year basis, for the bachelor's degree.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIESNone
LANGUAGE SKILLSAbility to read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints. Ability to write speeches and articles using original or innovative techniques or style. Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLSAbility to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
REASONING ABILITYAbility to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONSFlorida Driver's license; Obtain and maintain NCIC/FCIC computer operator certification within thirty (30) days of hire date.
PHYSICAL DEMANDSThe physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus to develop visual presentations for targeted audiences.
WORK ENVIRONMENTThe work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonableaccommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions, extreme heat, and risk of electrical shock. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
SAFETY OF OTHERS:Requires some responsibility for safety and/or for occasional enforcement of the standards of public safety.