Community Supervision Officer (CSO)

Job Description

THE POSITION:

This position is to serve the Courts, assist in the protection of the community and provide the individual placed on community supervision an opportunity and environment for positive change.

Community Supervision Officers shall accomplish this by effectively managing and positively motivating offenders, enforcing compliance with court orders, responding to violations, employing a progressive sanctions model and applying evidence-based practices to supervision strategies.

The CSO, who reports to a Supervisor, must maintain professional conduct, appearance and confidentiality of information.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Manages an assigned caseload of clients referred by a Court to monitor compliance with court-ordered terms and conditions of probation

Meets with probationers, takes weekly/monthly reports, ensures court ordered fees and conditions of probation are enforced

Conducts risk and needs assessments and develops supervision plans based on criminogenic factors/needs

Conducts home/field visits to monitor probationers' behavior in the community

Maintains files and thoroughly documents all contacts with probationers per department guidelines including chronological entries. (Good written and oral communication skills are a must.)

Maintains databases and files as required by state and County standards and guidelines

Attends necessary court proceedings, maintains relationships with the court, testifies as needed, prepares violation reports and recommends modifications

Applies risk reduction strategies

Assesses and applies motivational enhancement techniques

Provides graduated responses to non-compliance

Prepares and presents reports to Court on client compliance

Reviews case records to determine compliance with State standards, department policies and procedures

Reviews case records to determine adherence to the department's strategic plan

Conducts/facilitates education programs for probationers

Interacts with referral agencies and victims

Advises probationers of outside resources for assistance and makes appropriate referrals

Completes pre-sentence investigation reports

Runs criminal history checks and orders arrest reports and driver's license checks

Conducts diagnostic screening and scoring results

Administers and observes drug and alcohol testing on probationers as well as other criminal defendants out on bond

Prepares referrals for mental health, counseling, substance abuse, or other evaluations and treatments and monitors attendance and progress of treatment

Receives and reviews monthly or other periodic reports from treatment providers on offenders and takes appropriate remedial actions as necessary

Maintains various files to document written verification of client attendance at ordered hearings, meetings, training, therapy, counseling, and classes

Performs time management and scheduling functions, meets deadlines, and sets project priorities

Communicates and coordinates regularly with appropriate co-workers to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities

Maintains a professional working relationship with all CSCD staff, court personnel, outside agencies and the general public

OTHER REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE:

Become proficient in the use of Departmental software within first six months of employment

Work flexible hours to accommodate field visits and mission of the organization to include evenings, weekends, and other times outside normal business hours

Work prescheduled weekends to accommodate field visits, and/or supervise Community Service Restitution (CSR) events and collection initiatives

Work in various weather elements

Must meet and maintain Criminal Justice Assistance Division (CJAD) training requirements

Must become CSO certified within one year

Must become TRAS (Texas Risk Assessment System) Certified within one year and maintain recertification per CJAD Standards.

All entry level personnel must successfully complete 365 calendar days of probationary employment

Must be able to carry case files or boxes containing CSCD related items weighing 10 lbs

Perform all other related job duties as assigned

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Must have a Bachelor Degree or higher in criminal justice, criminology, corrections, human services, social work, psychology, sociology, law, law enforcement/police science, pre-law, public administration, rehabilitative studies or related field conferred by an institution of higher education by a regionally accredited organization recognized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. (Degrees in fields not listed above may be approved on a case by case basis by the CSCD Director)

Must possess and maintain a valid Texas driver license and current liability insurance coverage that is recognized in Texas

Demonstrate ability to ascend and descend three flight of stairs

Demonstrate ability to enter and exit CSCD vehicles currently in fleet

Demonstrate ability in oral and written communication skills plus accurate typing skills

Upon employment cannot be sworn as a peace officer or serve as a reserve or volunteer peace officer

Cannot have a criminal history with disqualifying events

EXPERIENCE:

Past or current employment as a community supervision officer is a plus but not mandatory; Preferred bilingual in English and Spanish but not mandatory.

POST OFFER CONDITIONS:

Each candidate that is given a conditional offer of employment will be required to pass a physical, psychological, drug screen, background investigation and potentially a polygraph.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS, WORK ENVIRONMENT & OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

Regularly required to sit, stand, walk, and bend as well as lifting, ascending/descending stairs and transporting case files to court. Working with unpredictable and potentially violent probationers in an office setting as well as the probationer's home environment. CSO's supervise the criminal element to include sex offenders, mental health, and other high-risk offenders. Exposure to communicable and contagious diseases. Works in various weather conditions. Will encounter farm and/or domestic animals. Reptiles have also been encountered.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION

Background investigations may include but are not limited to; criminal history checks, credit reports, driver license records, warrant checks, current and past employment, interviewing neighbors and friends, verifying educational information, etc. If a veteran, the veteran's DD214 or discharge papers must not be less than Honorable Discharge.