Court Probation Officer

Full Job Description

Represents the CSCD and serves as the liaison between the criminal courts and field probation officers. Collaborates with the Judiciary, prosecutors, and defense attorneys to formulate solutions to complex issues that affect defendants placed on community supervision. Provides alternative recommendations to incarceration and conditions that may be imposed to reduce recidivism, rehabilitate defendants, and increase community safety.
Explains policies and procedures that guide then supervision of defendants placed on community supervision. Serves as the first point of contact for defendants placed on community supervision and provides general information regarding community supervision requirements. Testifies in sentencing and revocation hearings. Works independently in the criminal courts and requires limited supervision in the office. Has considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.


Distinguishing Characteristics:
This classification provides court coverage to the County and District criminal courts. It assists in case staffing for field Probation Officers, Judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys. This classification requires work in multiple facilities. This classification may require a flexible work schedule to meet the needs of the courts and department. This job is distinguishable from other probation officers in that it is considered essential personnel and the incumbent has considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Requirements

• Attends court dockets in the mornings and afternoons or virtually as required by the court's schedule.
  
• Conducts brief initial interviews with clients, gathering biometric information, explaining conditions of community supervision, and providing reporting instructions to Intake, Diagnostic and Tax Office.
  
• Completes Conditions of Community Supervision, Ignition Interlock Orders, Orders Continuing, Orders Amending, and Orders
• Revoking ensuring the plea agreement and Court's orders are reflected accurately. Completes Felony Court Referrals for felony cases.
  
• Completes GPS Checklist, Victim Notification Form, Restitution Sheet, Jail Release card, Probation Assignment form, and sentencing logs when appropriate.
  

Reviews reports, Motions to Revoke/Adjudicate and other legal orders received from field POs ensuring adherence to applicable Statutes, the court's orders and departmental policies and procedures.

Identifies problems and plausible solutions. Solicits additional information and takes appropriate action.

• Retrieves dockets, prepares, and provides updates to judge, prosecutors, defense attorneys on cases pending motions to revoke/adjudicate. Provides information on available resources through the CSCD and alternative recommendations on disposition of motions to revoke/adjudicate.
  
• Documents chronos in a clear, concise, and thorough manner to reflect appropriate emphasis on court events. Ensures collateral and collaborative information is documented in CSS clearly and accurately.
  
• Maintains and reviews caseload reports for active incarcerated, appeal, and motion for new trial cases and addresses issues appropriately. Maintains ongoing accurate level of supervision on all offenders.
  
• Distributes and routes documents to appropriate entities; Tax Office, Bookkeeping, Diagnostic Unit, Intake, Field Units, County and District Clerk and TCSO.
  
• Develops the expertise to identify and address the needs of specialized populations. Identifies both specialized programs and caseloads beneficial to different populations.
• Educates, and endorses, departmental policies, procedures and supervision model to court staff and related officials to assist in addressing criminogenic needs and
  to facilitate change in behavior and reduce recidivism.
• Obtains a working knowledge of other agencies practices and procedures to better collaborate and problem-solve.
  
• Ensures all money owed by client, as set forth in the conditions of community supervision, is collected and properly recorded.
  
• Prepares legal documents and other reports for judges, attorneys and the court system, as required.
  
• Conducts urinalysis or other substance abuse screening and assessment tools on clients as required by the court.
  
• Provides testimony in court, as required.
  
• Assists in the training process for on-boarding Court Probation. May supervise interns and volunteers assigned to the unit.
  
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
  

Qualifications

Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice or a directly related field.
OR,
Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and
experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

Preferred:
Demonstrated knowledge and competence in the utilization of Travis County CSCD policies, procedures and resources.
Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
Valid Texas Driver’s License.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of:

• Policies, practices, procedures and legal terminology related to court system.
  
• Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations, guidelines and applicable community supervision
  services standards and procedures.
  
• Standard practices in area of assignment.
  
• Evidence Based Practices.
  
• Psychological concepts related to behavior change, criminal thinking, and mental health.
  
• Casework techniques.
  
• Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages.
  
• Business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation.
  

Skill in:

• Problem-solving and decision-making.
  
• Collaboration and diplomacy.
  
• Both verbal and written communication.
  

Ability to:

• Conduct investigations and report results clearly, accurately and impartially.
  
• Work efficiently both independently and as part of a team.
  
• Reason and make judgments and decisions.
  
• Work effectively and courteously under stressful circumstances.
  
• Deal effectively with clients with mental disorders and clients who are engaging in aggressive or hostile behavior.
  
• Manage time well, perform multiple tasks and organize diverse activities.
  
• Perform in a stressful environment while maintaining a professional manner.
  
• Research, compile, analyze, interpret and prepare a variety of memorandums or reports.
  
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, representatives of outside agencies, other
• County employees and officials, attorneys, judges, and the general public.
  

Additional Information

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 10-25 pounds, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, balancing, repetitive motion, and squatting to perform the essential functions. Subject to contact with communicable diseases, radiation, hazardous waste, human fecal matter and foul odors. Subject to client and customer contact for extended periods of time.
Subject to short walks in weather elements.

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.

Work Hours: 8 AM - 5 PM; Monday through Friday.

Location: 411 W. 13th St., Austin, TX

Department: CSCD Adult Probation

Criminal Background Check, Driving Record, Education, and Employment History Check Required.

For updates or questions on this position, contact: Antisha.Walley@traviscountytx.gov