Probation Officer Trainee

Job Title: Probation Officer Trainee

Company: State of Nebraska

Location: North Platte, NE

Hiring Rate: $20.608/hour

Annual Salary: $42,863.87

About the Role

This is an entry-level position involving job orientation and training under close supervision for one year to gain experience and develop abilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Job orientation and training under close supervision for one year.
• Gaining experience and developing ability in investigatory and supervisory responsibilities involving offenders.
• Managing a caseload.
• Preparing investigation reports.
• Supervising offenders.
• Conducting intake and detention interviews.
• Testifying in courts.
• Performing drug and alcohol testing.
• Arresting or detaining offenders under direction.
• Managing and maintaining electronic monitoring equipment.
• Becoming familiar with pre-sentence/pre-disposition investigations for adults and juvenile offenders.
• Conducting intake and assessment interviews with offenders, families, and others to gather information and determine environmental factors leading to delinquent behaviors.
• Providing recommendations for sentencing to the court based on case findings.
• Presenting information verbally and in writing before the court.
• Completing intake paperwork.
• Performing risk assessments to determine proper supervision levels.
• Recommending incentives and/or sanctions based on assessments.
• Monitoring drug screens.
• Meeting with clients on probation to provide counseling, complete case reporting, and manage caseloads.
• Conducting assessments or follow-ups.
• Providing direction to help clients accomplish court requirements.
• Providing referrals to community resources (food, shelter, work).
• Preparing violation reports and compliance reports.
• Conducting record checks.
• Entering and updating client information into appropriate systems.
• Determining reports to send to the court for updates.
• Performing other duties of a similar nature or level.

Travel Expectations

• Regular travel within the district to conduct community visits and support operations.
• Occasional regional travel for orientation, training, and educational workshops.

Work Schedule

• Core hours: Monday–Friday daytime.
• Occasional on-call, evening, weekend, and holiday availability required.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Computers and related software applications.
• Modern office procedures and equipment.
• Applicable software applications.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in social services or criminal justice.
• Consideration will be given to candidates receiving their degree within 120 days of application.
• All educational credits must be granted from an accredited institution approved by the U.S. Dept. of Education.
• Knowledge of customer service principles.
• Knowledge of the Criminal Justice system, laws, legal codes, and court procedures.
• Knowledge of interview and assessment procedures and practices.
• Knowledge of intervention policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of signs of various forms of abuse, mental health issues, or neglect.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques.
• Knowledge of record-keeping principles.
• Knowledge of document review techniques.
• Skills: Making home visits.
• Skills: Interviewing probationers.
• Skills: Tracking probationers’ locations.
• Skills: Utilizing probation and protective techniques.
• Skills: Applying applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
• Skills: Preparing activity reports and updating databases.
• Skills: Operating computers and applicable software applications.
• Skills: Utilizing communication and interpersonal skills.

Physical Requirements

• Incumbents may be subjected to environmental threats, odors, dusts, inadequate lighting, workspace restrictions, and travel.
• Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.