Probation Officer - Safety Stabilization

at  Dakota County Minnesota

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

POSTING TYPE: Open competitive
DEPARTMENT: Community Corrections
HOURS: Full-time
FULL SALARY RANGE: $67,643 - $105,693 annually (Grade 108)
SUPERVISOR: Jennifer Gustafson
LOCATION: Juvenile Service Center, Hastings, MN

WHO WE ARE

Dakota County is Minnesota’s third largest county and home to more than 400,000 residents. Our motto is “Be More” and we strive every day to achieve excellent public service, with a focus on four values: Service, Integrity, People, and Innovation.
Dakota County aims to create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds, and experiences. Our goal is to have a workforce that is reflective of the communities and individuals we serve. We promote an equitable and culturally aware work environment where everyone can be their authentic selves.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Corrections, Criminal Justice, Sociology, Psychology, Social Work, Education or related behavioral science field, AND 12 months experience in corrections, human services or related behavioral science field

Required license(s):

• Valid driver’s license
• First Aid/CPR certificate within 6 months of hire. (For Probation Officers working in the secure residential facility or the day treatment program. Training provided by the facility.)

Other:

• Must be at least 21 year or age.

Note:
To be eligible for hire, an applicant must successfully complete a background check and meet the criminal history background criteria required to access certain networks/systems necessary to perform the essential functions of this position. The law and/or County policy will disqualify applicants with a particular criminal history background from employment in this position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Knowledge of criminal behavior and/or juvenile delinquency, and of the criminal justice system in Minnesota.
• Knowledge of trauma informed care and working with clients with mental health needs.
• Knowledge of group dynamics.
• Knowledge of the criminal justice system in Minnesota; working knowledge of the functions of its component parts.
• Knowledge of the Juvenile Standards outlined in the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA).
• Knowledge of the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI).
• Knowledge of dynamics of family systems.
• Knowledge and ability to apply Evidence Based Practices with detained juveniles.
• Ability to use rewards, reinforcements, and interventions appropriately with juveniles, to be fair and understanding, while being firm and consistent.
• Knowledge of data privacy rules, practices, and confidentiality.
• Ability to adapt to change to support organizational change, development, growth, and progress.
• Ability to use Motivational Interviewing with juveniles to encourage behavioral change.
• Ability to make decisions under stress, while abiding by Departmental and State policies and guidelines. Including the ability to use de-escalation skills to resolve conflicts.
• Ability to work collaboratively with others to accomplish tasks, plan and resolve problems.
• Ability to support residents in completing their case plan goals.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to apply departmental policies and procedures to assigned duties.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and have good time management.
• Ability to learn and appropriately use the department’s Controlled Force Model.
• Ability to use computers and learn various database systems including CSTS, CSIR, MNCIS, Statewide Supervision System, CJINN, and others.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse groups and deal with different perspectives.
• Ability and openness to adapt to change, to grow and progress, and the desire to acquire new skills and develop professionally.

At six months candidates should:

• Demonstrates knowledge of the principles, techniques, and best practices in juvenile delinquency.
• Demonstrates skill in conceptualizing client needs and translating them into specific case planning goals.
• Demonstrates ability to anticipate harmful behavior and de-escalate potentially dangerous situations.
• Provides positive encouragement, incentives and rewards to residents in a consistent manner.
• Adequately supervises youth with high levels of aggression or self-harm in a small group or 1:1 setting.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is performed in a secured correctional 40 bed facility. Some limited travel or transportation of clients may be required. Lifting requirement of up to 20 pounds on an occasional basis. Exposure to hazardous physical conditions such as mechanical parts, electrical currents, and vibrations; hazardous materials such as chemicals, blood, and other body fluids; and exposure to intense noise may occur. Equipment used may include, but is not limited to, computer, scanner, printer, calculator, telephone, EHM/GPS equipment, camera and copy machines.

These examples do not include all possible tasks in this work and do not limit the assignment of related tasks in any position of this classification. Regular attendance according to the position’s management approved work schedule is required for all positions.

• Facilitate cognitive behavioral and skill streaming groups.
• Deescalate and process with residents in crisis and escalating situations.
• Develop stabilization plans with youth prior to crisis situations. This includes teaching youth calming and regulation skills and techniques.
• Facilitate safety stabilization reintegration plans with residents.
• Supervise and facilitate programming for residents on special programming status. This includes youth on 1 to 1 staff to resident programming status.
• Evaluate and assess youth removed from group programming for safety reasons and determine readiness to safely re-integrate.
• Intervene with youth prior to escalation and behavioral crisis with the goal of the youth remaining in programming.
• Immediately respond to medical, safety, security, and other emergency calls.
• Support, guide, and direct assistant probation officers on the floor and during a critical incident.
• Enforce state law and Department of Corrections licensing standards within the facility.
• Document client activity, behavior, collateral communications and well-being checks in to the facility case management system.
• Consistently maintain the safety and security of the JSC to include monitoring and observing clients throughout the day. This includes providing effective interventions and using safety equipment as well as trained control force restraints with appropriate response to resistance.
• Support the overall day to day functions at the JSC which may include being assigned to other work duties as assigned.