Criminal

Bucks County Adult Probation and Parole

Employment Opportunities

Probation / Parole Officer

Exempt: No
Department: Adult Probation and Parole
Update: 10/19/99
Job Code: 518
Union: 07

Summary:
The primary responsibility of the Bucks County Adult Probation/Parole Officers is the community supervision of adult offenders released by the Court on either county probation or parole. The term "supervision" primarily means that PO's attempt to ensure that clients adhere to the rules and regulations of probation or parole and/or the special conditions, such as treatment or restitution, which the Court may impose.

To achieve proper supervision, PO's make the vast majority of client contacts "in the field", meaning they meet with clients at their homes or sometimes at their work. Appropriate referrals for treatment, employment, etc. are made at those meetings and other issues are dealt with, as well, through a case planning process.

Adult Probation/Parole officers conduct pre-sentence investigations for the Courts as an aid in sentencing. They also complete pre-parole investigations following which they make recommendations re: the appropriateness of parole for Bucks County Correctional Facility inmates. Officers are also required to keep detailed records of client contacts and their progress under supervision. Frequent review of all cases with a Supervisor is required.

PO's are sometimes required to participate in the arrest and transportation to prison of their clients or of other PO's clients. Although backed-up by police, PO's plan and conduct all arrests and transporting of clients.

Thorough training is provided before an officer participates in this facet of the job. Click here for more information.

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following:

• Conducts pre-sentence and pre-parole investigations obtaining pertinent information both social and economic from defendants, complainants, police officers, relatives and others who may have a bearing on the case.
• Prepares summaries and reports of investigations and attends and presents the information at hearings before the Court.
• Supervises probationers and parolees to assist them in an effective rehabilitation.
• Meets with probationers and parolees in the office, in their homes and/or place of employment to observe and recommend special community services to their rehabilitation.
• Discusses plans and evaluations of cases with supervisor.
• Prepares reports concerning the assignment and maintains records.
• Reports unusual conditions or questionable items to supervisor.
• Arrests and transports probationers and parolees who are in violation.
• Performs similar or related duties as required.

*Note:
This is a generic job description. Employees may be required to perform additional work that follows prescribed or well established procedures that can be learned within a reasonable time by training on the job. More detailed instructions, as to the nature of their duties, will be given to employees at the beginning of work.

Qualifications:
The BCAPPD attempts to provide employment opportunities to the widest possible range of candidates while at the same time striving to select the best qualified people to meet program needs. BCAPPD officers are required to have a bachelor's degree (preferably in the Behavioral Sciences) for an entry level Intern position. An entry level position of full probation/parole officer requires a bachelor's degree plus at least 2 years related experience in an approved agency. A master's degree may substitute for experience.

Selection of professional employees is done following a thorough interviewing process. Candidates will be evaluated by writing sample, oral interviews, testing, as well as background investigation. When a selection is made, the President Judge will authorize an offer of employment and a starting date will be established.

Prospective employees should be aware that participation in rigorous self-defense is required for all POs. Also, criminal records checks, through fingerprinting, will be made with the Pennsylvania State Police and/or the FBI.

Physical Demands:
The 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 regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing 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 occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.