General Description

POSTING TYPE: Open Competitive
DEPARTMENT: Community Corrections
HOURS: Full-time
HIRING RANGE: $65,514.00 - $73,703.00 annually
FULL SALARY RANGE: $65,514.00 - $102,365.00 annually (Grade level 108)
LOCATION: West Saint Paul, MN
Telework may be allowed for some positions but no positions offer full-time telework.
UNION: AFSCME 450
CLOSE DATE: 4:30 p.m. on 2/21/2023

Community Corrections’ Mission Statement: To transform lives, promote equity and increase community safety.

Community Corrections' Diversity and Inclusion Mission Statement: As a system we are committed to dismantling institutional racism and healing historical trauma. We are moving forward as a place where inclusion, respect, acceptance, growth and teaching are expected. We will recognize our individualities. We will listen to every voice, recognize our biases, and grow towards a more equitable and inclusive culture. We will help each other learn by modeling, teaching and listening.

There is currently one vacancy for a Safe Streets First (SSF) Probation Officer at the Northern Service Center in West St. Paul SSF is a program working with clients with multiple DWI offenses. Once fully trained this position is eligible to be hybrid allowing part-time telework and part-time in office.

Probation officers establish professional relationships with adult and juvenile clients involved in the criminal justice system. The primary responsibility of a probation officer is to actively and directly facilitate client change. This requires a holistic view of human behavior. Dakota County seeks probation officers who see themselves as change agents for their clients, engaging clients, assessing their barriers to success, supporting access to needed services, motivating clients to seek change, and extending interventions that lead clients to greater success. In addition to helping clients get on a better path, probation officers are responsible to monitor and document conditions of probation through court reports and recommendations, and facilitate cognitive behavioral and other service groups.

Community Corrections is part of the Community Services Division. Community Services includes Social Services, Public Health, Veteran Services, and Employment and Economic Assistance. The division is focusing on Integrated Service Delivery and meeting the needs of all of our clients no matter which department(s) are providing services. We work with our clients to support their needs for housing, employment, transportation, health care, education, financial assistance and empowerment.

Minimum Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
. Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, Corrections, Social Work, Criminal Justice, Human Services, Sociology, Education or related field.
AND
Two years professional work experience with clients from a diverse background in the fields of corrections, social work, social services, education, chemical dependency, mental health, residential treatment, or related field.

Required license:

• Valid driver's license

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.

Duties & Responsibilities

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.

1. Collect information about clients through, interviews, observations, assessments and collateral contacts.
2. Assess clients risks and needs. Modify case plan and service intensity based on on-going risk and needs assessments.
3. Help clients to express their thoughts and feelings, helping them to develop insight into themselves and their behavior.
4. Engage with the client's natural support system such as family, friends, employers, and communities to support the change process.
5. Once information has been gathered regarding barriers and risks, engage clients in skill building through role playing, modeling, and other cognitive and behavioral interventions.
6. Demonstrate skill and commitment to working cross-culturally, respectful of lived experiences in all communications and focused on expanding one’s own awareness and understanding as to support and remove social and economic disparities that exist.
7. Plan intentional targeted visits with clients to work on case plan goals, skill development and risk reduction.
8. Rely on research-supported practices, utilizing motivational interviewing to increase intrinsic motivation to change, and promote skill building by utilizing Evidence Based Practices (EBP).
9. Write reports and other documents for the Court, referring agency, the MN Dept. of Corrections, and other parties.
10. Maintain complete client records and documentation in keeping with department, state, and legal standards.
11. Facilitate client groups.
12. Provide active case management, referring clients to appropriate treatment services and supportive services, maintain collaboration with providers.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities and Work Environment

• Ability to explore individual's cultural perspectives in order to learn the impact of culture on behaviors, attitudes, reactions, communication cues, resiliency, and values of clients
• Skill in communicating across difference based on a strong awareness of one's own personal values, stereotypes, and biases
• Ability to respond in a genuine and empathetic manner to clients, utilizing techniques such as active listening and reflection
• Ability to convey information effectively and appropriately in writing and discussion
• Ability to consider creative approaches to achieving case goals, looking beyond pro forma remedies
• Ability to work in multisystem collaborations, including within the criminal justice system, across the Community Services division, and with treatment and service providers
• Knowledge of Integrated Service Delivery, Social Determinants of Health, or similar perspectives focusing on the importance of attending to self-sufficiency needs in order to support success or ability to learn and incorporate them
• Knowledge of EBP in community corrections including risk assessment, motivational interviewing, professional alliance, and cognitive interventions or ability to learn and implement them
• Knowledge of laws and court procedures in adult and juvenile court in Minnesota or ability to learn and understand them
• Ability to manage conflict and deescalate crisis situations
• Ability to adapt to and support organizational change

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed in a secured correctional setting with occasional transportation of clients. Some travel is 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, breathalyzer, EHM equipment, Dictaphone, camera and copy machines.

SELECTION PROCESS: The examination/selection process for this classification will consist of a rating of your training and experience from the application materials submitted. The top scoring candidates will be forwarded to the hiring department for further consideration.