Job Details

Description

Under the general supervision of the District Court Administrator with direction provided by the Chief Probation Officer, interviews persons arrested for felonies and misdemeanors to provide bond recommendations, completes a risk/needs assessment, and recommends conditions of release. Monitors and supervises felony defendants who are released on conditional bonds and initiates court action for any misconduct. Maintains liaison collaboration between the defendant, the courts, the Prosecutor, the Office of the Public Defender, and other components of the criminal justice system Conducts conferences and investigations and writes recommended reports, court orders and other agreements and correspondence. Conducts analysis of financial data and makes recommendations for fines/costs to assist Judges in sentencing, including recommendations regarding probationers failing to comply with their probation. Supervises and counsels probationers and ensures that all conditions of probation are met. Makes referrals to various programs and resource agencies to assist probationers with drug, alcohol, or other problems.

Essential Functions

1. Interviews and gathers information on background, length of time in the community, ties to the community, and other relevant data from defendants housed in the Ingham County Jail or who have been released on bond. Identifies and/or verifies sources of income during initial interviews.
2. Reviews the background of persons awaiting sentencing on district court convictions, including interviewing the defendant, reviewing the complaint report, criminal history, driving record, and other pertinent information. Makes calls to employers and others to verify or collect information. Contacts victims and verifies restitution data.
3. Verifies information gathered through criminal history checks utilizing programs including CourtView or other case management systems, Judicial Information Services (JIS), Judicial Data Warehouse (JDW), Statewide Records Management System (SRMS), Law Enforcement Information Network (LEIN) reports, and other sources to determine criminal history, status in the criminal justice system and to assess the likelihood of pretrial misconduct.
4. Uses independent judgment and discretion to interpret collected data. Prepares bond, risk or substance use assessment, pre-sentence and probation violation reports which include a summary of information from the police and defendant, social and criminal history, and alcohol assessment results. Makes a judgment based on the information gathered and prepares recommendations on the most proper court action, including incarceration, tether program, alternative sentences, or other measures. As required by the Crime Victim’s Rights Act, includes written statements from victims of any physical or emotional injury or economic restitution owed the victim.
5. Supervises the offender during the term of bond and/or probation and ensures full compliance with probation orders. Monitors and verifies house arrest, drug testing, AA attendance, sex offender registration, and other required conditions of probation.
6. Evaluates eligible defendants and submit referrals for potential placement into the problem-solving court programs at the 55th District and other local Courts.
7. Review procedures with new probationers, including explaining the order of probation and court policies and procedures, scheduling report days and appointments, and processing necessary record.
8. Uses professional judgment and discretion to identify and assess the defendant’s needs in areas including physical and mental health, substance abuse, employment counseling and school enrollment. Prepares and provides community resource referral information. Maintains regular contact with such agencies to discuss the compliance and progress of the client. Writes and submits related reports for judicial review.
9. Initiates show cause or bench warrants when the probationer fails to comply with the terms of probation. Documents allegations of non-compliance, requests subpoenas, or witness participation if needed.

Other Functions:

During any public health and / or other emergency situation, the probation officer may be identified as an essential employee and required to perform duties similar to – but not limited to, those in his/her job description, including such duties as working at alternative worksite locations and schedules, following mandated health and safety protocols, enforcing said protocols for visitors, adapting work processes to accommodate community needs during such public health situations, communicating said changes to supervised clients as applicable, and any other requirements determined necessary, based on the specific needs of the Court in response to a declared public emergency, in order to ensure the efficient continuance of all supervision and other departmental functioning.

An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the above tasks. These examples do not include all of the tasks which the employees may be expected to perform.

Employment Qualifications

Education: Possession of a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Criminal Justice, or a related Human Services field.

Experience: A minimum of 6 months experience working with probationers or in an area of criminal justice, including counseling, case worker, or related capacity.

Other Requirements: Possession of a valid Michigan Driver’s License. Applicant may be required to possess or obtain a Michigan Certification Board for Addiction, Certified Criminal Justice Professional (CCJP), or Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) credential, or an equivalent credential accepted by the State of Michigan.

Demonstrates effective communication skills by engaging, interacting and working with all individuals to ensure clarity and understanding in all interactions.

The qualifications listed above are intended to represent the minimum skills and experience levels associated with performing the duties and responsibilities contained in this job description. The qualifications should not be viewed as expressing absolute employment or promotional standards but as general guidelines that should be considered along with other job-related selection or promotional criteria.

Working Conditions:

• Regular contact with persons charged and/or convicted of criminal offenses.

Physical Requirements:

• This position requires the ability to sit, stand, walk, traverse, climb, balance, twist, bend, stoop/crouch, squat, kneel, lift, carry, push, pull, reach, grasp, handle, pinch, type, endure repetitive movements of the wrists, hands or fingers.

This job requires the ability to perform the essential functions contained in this description. These include but are not limited to, the following requirements. Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified applicants unable to fulfill one or more of these requirements.

ICEA COURT PRO 09

December 2023