Probation Officer

The Probation Officer provides professional services for misdemeanant probationers with a high degree of specialized and complex responsibilities that are performed under the supervision of the Probation Officer Supervisor and leadership of the Court Administrator and Presiding Judge. This role is accomplished by providing professional assessments and probation services serving the cities of Kirkland, Clyde Hill, Medina, Hunts Point, Yarrow Point and Woodinville.

The Probation Officer is responsible for providing services and programs that afford opportunities for probationers to change behavior, monitoring compliance with pre-trial and post-conviction orders, electronic home monitoring and jail, reporting client compliance status to the court, resolving conflicts, and serving as a liaison between the Court and the probationer. The work requires extensive knowledge of probation and court practices while understanding legal requirements in accordance with laws, rules, probation, and court policies, in which consequences of an error would be of great detriment. This multifaceted work contributes to efficient case management, ensuring the successful and efficient operation of a high-volume Probation Division. This work is achieved through providing services and programs that offer opportunities for probationers to change behavior with a focus towards public safety, reducing recidivism and assuring compliance with the orders of the court.

Distinguishing Characteristics: The Probation Officer works under limited supervision and has a high level of responsibility in the areas of administrative review, intervention services, drug testing and sentencing alternatives and is performed in accordance with professional standards, court policies, city ordinances, state regulations and court rules.

The work is characterized by professional, technical, and confidential work in providing varied probation services. Duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, pre-sentence interviewing, evaluation and report writing, meeting face-to-face or on virtual platforms, remotely and in other settings with probationers regarding progress, providing counseling, resolving conflicts, identifying and addressing barriers, writing correspondence, interacting with treatment agencies and other involved parties, and appearing for court appearances. The incumbent of this classification is required to apply necessary diagnostic and counseling principles, gain knowledge of and efficiently utilize community and other available resources in determining the best alternative for a given situation or case.

Essential Functions: Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this class; employees may be assigned duties which are not listed below; reasonable accommodations will be made as required. The job description does not constitute an employment agreement and is subject to change at any time by the employer. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Conduct pre/post-sentence investigations including in-depth in person interviews and additional research to complete written reports containing summary background data collected in pre/post-sentence interviews, collateral contacts, and existing court, probation, and treatment documents; assesses problem areas, including alcohol, drugs, domestic violence, mental illness, and history of noncompliance with court-ordered conditions; submits reports, including sentencing recommendations or alternatives, proposed revocation actions, or changes to current sentencing conditions to the court.
• On Order from the court, meets with probationers in custody as needed.
• Determine the risk to the community using a Risk Assessment Tool for probationers.
• Assist probationers concerning problems that affect individual probation plans; continue to identify barriers and assist with addressing barriers; offer support in vocational education or employment planning; consults with higher-level personnel on difficult or complex cases. Refers probationers to community agencies as applicable to the individual case.
• Evaluate probationers' amenability to different types of treatment programs and determine appropriate referrals.
• Compile, analyze, and maintain complete and accurate records of contact and information obtained relative to each individual case and assessment referral; contacts and corresponds with other agencies related to the individual case to monitor activity and progress.
• Process appropriate release of information forms to maintain confidential communication with associated parties.
• Prepare and presents progress and non-compliance reports to the court.
• Speak effectively when presenting information and respond to questions in one-on-one situations before small groups of managers, employees, customers, and the public, as well as in a courtroom environment.
• Appear and testify at courtroom review hearings, giving information about probationers' status.
• Process applications for all defendants, including those with court monitored conditions, whose cases meet ICAOS requirements (Interstate Commission for Adult Offender Supervision), submits applications to the WA State Department of Corrections ICAOS office in Olympia; notifies the court when supervision has been successfully transferred out-of-state.
• Report contact order violations and other issues impacting the case management of the probationer and the safety of the victim.
• Perform PBT (Personal Breath Testing), sample collection, and other drug testing procedures to detect drug and alcohol use.
• Track criminal history through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and reviews the results.
• Comply with Tri-Annual ACCESS Audit conducted by Washington State Patrol.

Peripheral Duties:

• Performs functions as assigned in the City's emergency response plan in the event of an emergency.
• Perform other related duties as assigned including being knowledgeable and skilled in the Probation Assistant or Judicial Specialist job classification duties.

Why Kirkland?

Knowledge of:

• The criminal justice system, courtroom policies, procedures, structure, and practices; legal forms, documents, and terminology.
• Community resources including local social service agencies and the services provided and mental health, drug abuse, and alcohol treatment systems and providers.
• Municipal government policies, procedures, structure; applicable local, State, and Federal laws, codes, regulations, and ordinances.
• State, County, and local agencies and offices involved in court-related activities.
• Interviewing techniques.
• Modern office practices, procedures and equipment including personal computers and related software such as Lawbase, JABS, JIS, New World, Laserfiche, OCourt, NCIC, Word and Excel.
• Exceptional usage of English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary; effective oral and written communication skills.

Skilled in:

• Using effective interpersonal skills and exceptional and respectful customer service while interacting with others in a tactful, patient, and courteous manner.
• Working effectively as part of a team.
• Interviewing probationers, which includes directing the interview, conveying ideas verbally, obtaining information, and could include de-escalating situations.
• Establishing and maintain rapport with probationers, guide them toward positive goals and communicate with them in both supportive and confrontive methods.
• Organize and maintain detailed records and prepare clear and concise written reports utilizing probation databases and other caseload management programs available.
• Apply common sense understanding to interpret and follow a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, or scheduled form; solve practical problems and deal with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.

Ability to:

• Perform a wide variety of complex and responsible duties accurately and efficiently with attention to detail.
• Remain current with relevant technologies and operational advancements as it relates to the field.
• Analyze and solve work related problems and communicate effectively with staff and management to promote the exchange of ideas and information and promote efficient processes and procedures.
• Establish and maintain a cooperative and effective working relationship with others including co-workers, supervisors, judges, court personnel, police officers, attorneys, prosecutors, treatment providers, and staff members from public and private agencies.
• Maintain all ethical and professional standards of the Court, City and State.
• Apply conflict management skills to resolve issues and effectively deal with difficult individuals.
• Communicate with and work with probationers and other people of diverse social, cultural, ethnic, and lifestyle backgrounds
• Effectively interact with emotionally distraught, irate, and combative individuals.
• Exercise and demonstrate a nonjudgmental attitude towards probationers.
• Work confidentially and independently with discretion under limited supervision in a fast-paced and high-pressure environment with the ability to adapt to quickly changing priorities.
• Ensure state mandated time frames are followed in relation to court cases and supervision requirements.
• Serve as an agent of the court, sometimes without complete client confidentiality.
• Work independently in stress related situations, using sound judgment when making consequential work decisions in accordance with Washington State law, regulations, court policies and procedures.
• Collect relevant case evidence and information and make relevant evaluations and appropriate recommendations based on information obtained during interviews or pre-sentence investigation.
• Exercise competent decision-making skills and judgment to meet timelines and directives.
• Demonstrate initiative and work efficiently on several projects concurrently, complete work with possible interruptions.
• Enforce and monitor court requirements and report all violations to the court, treatment agencies and involved case participants.
• Facilitate programs for clients including intake, tracking progress and attendance, and performing data collection as required in the areas of Moral Reconation Therapy-Domestic Violence, Coping with Anger MRT, standard MRT or other court programs.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Criminology, Sociology, Psychology, Behavioral Science, Criminal Justice, or other closely related field as required by ARLJ 11.
• Experience: 2 or more years of experience as a probation officer or equivalent position within the chemical dependency, mental health, or court field. 2 years of experience in the criminal justice system, social work, or similar field that includes caseload management, direct client services, support services or criminal law.
• Or: In place of the above experience, the incumbent may possess any relevant experience that would demonstrate the individual's knowledge, skill, and ability to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job classification.

Required Licenses and Certifications:

• Become compliant with State and FBI CJIS Division policies and regulations, including verification of a state of residency and national fingerprint-based record check, maintain ACCESS certification through required testing and pass re-background check completed by the Terminal Agency Coordinator.
• Must successfully complete the Correctional Services Academy training within six (6) months of employment as required by WAC 139-10-210.
• File an Oath of Confidentiality with the State of Washington Administrative Office of the Courts.
• Attend ongoing education or training to stay current with changes in the field of Corrections and treatment.
• Successful passing of a required background check and national fingerprint-based records check.
• Must successfully pass a voice stress analyzer.
• Adhere to the Kirkland Municipal Court Code of Conduct & Expectations for Court Employees.

Hazards:

• Contact with dissatisfied or potentially abusive individuals or hazardous situations.
• Possible exposure to communicable diseases and illness working with court participants in the courtroom and court offices.

Physical Demands and Working Environment:

• Work is performed in a typical office environment with moderate noise level and numerous interruptions, Monday through Friday. Variable hours may occur. Employees in this classification may be required to work varying shifts including nights and weekends as assigned by management.
• Situations do involve interaction with emotionally distraught, irate, intoxicated, and combative individuals, and exposure to hazardous situations.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use arms, hands, and fingers to reach, handle, feel, or operate objects, materials, tools, equipment, or controls. Frequently required to sit, stand, walk, hear, and talk normally with or without mechanical assistance and occasionally be required to lift in excess of 10 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, color, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Selection Process

Position requires a resume and cover letter for consideration of application. Please note how you meet minimum qualifications within the cover letter. Applicants who are selected for next steps in the hiring process will be invited by phone or e-mail. Candidates are encouraged to apply at the earliest possible date as screening, interviewing, and hiring decisions will be made through the recruitment period, until such time as the vacancy is filled. First review of applicants will be 15 days after original posting date.

The City of Kirkland is a welcoming community where every person can thrive and grow. We value diversity, inclusion, belonging, and work together to support our community. We do this by solving problems, focusing on the customer, and respecting all people who come into the City whether to visit, live, or work. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we are committed to creating a workforce that does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. We encourage qualified applicants of all backgrounds and identities to apply to our job postings. Persons with a disability who need reasonable accommodations in the application or testing process, or those needing this announcement in an alternative format, may call 425-587-3210 or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf 711.