POSTING TYPE: Open Competitive
DEPARTMENT: Community Corrections
HOURS: Full-time, 40 hours per week
PERFERRED HIRING RANGE: $67,643- $76,099
SALARY RANGE: $67,643- $105,693
LOCATION: JSC, Hastings
UNION: AFSCME 450
CLOSE DATE: 4:30 p.m. on 5/10/2024

The current vacancy is a New Chance Day Treatment Probation Officer at the Juvenile Service Center in Hastings. The position will be onsite daily. New Chance serves Juvenile males on probation in Dakota County. The program operates primarily M-F from 8am-4pm with occasional evenings and weekend hours.

What you will do: 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' 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.

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.

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 Psychology, Corrections, Social Work, Criminal Justice, Human Services, Sociology, Education or related field.

• 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.

• Valid driver's license

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.
13. Provide leadership, coaching, and guidance to New Chance Day Treatment Assistant Probation Officers.

• 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

• Comprehensive and affordable medical, dental, vision, and other benefits
• Excellent work-life balance
• Generous paid time off (accrual rate starts at four weeks per year)
• Eleven paid holidays and one floating holiday each year
• Pension with a generous employer contribution
• Ability to work from home some of the time

• You submit an online application that includes supplemental questions
• We assign you a score based on your qualifications
• Top scoring candidates are referred to the hiring manager for interview consideration
• We conduct interviews and reference checks before extending an offer
• We extend an offer and conduct background checks