PROBATION TRAINEE (MINORITY GROUP SPECIALIST)
43060
Competitive
The work involves responsibility for the application of modern social work techniques in making social case studies of minority probationers and carrying out probation treatment.while participating in a continuous in-service training program. The Trainee level is used to recruit into the Probation Officer field, college graduates with a career interest in probation. Trainees receive on-the-job training while performing duties of a limited professional nature under close and continuing supervision from a higher level employee. Permanent trainee appointments are for a maximum period of one year, following which incumbents receiving satisfactory ratings will be advanced to the title of Probation Officer (Minority Group Specialist) without further examination. Does related work as required.
Develops and maintains relationships with groups and organizations providing services to young ethnic minorities.
Assists in the supervision of probationers and advises and assists them in their rehabilitation.
Assists in the collection and analysis of social and legal history data, and in the preparation of investigation reports concerning cases pending in the courts.
Assists in interpreting and enforcing conditions of probation.
Reviews case histories to determine degree of adjustment and advisability of referral or court action.
Assists in preparing reports and recommendations, such as, status of probationer, impact of department’s actions, decisions and requirements on service delivery to ethnic minorities, etc.
Helps to maintain probation supervision and financial records.
May carry a firearm on some assignments.
Good knowledge of social casework and probation principles, practices and techniques, including interviewing, investigation, supervision, recordkeeping and case reporting.
Good knowledge of the laws and regulations covering probation.
Good knowledge of the habits, attitude and behavior patterns of delinquent persons.
Good knowledge of the trends and development in the correction field which apply to delivery of service to young adult ethnic minorities.
Ability to develop and maintain good relations with ethnic minority service providers and law enforcement agencies involved in the rehabilitation of delinquents.
Ability to analyze and evaluate data and to prepare reports.
Ability to deal effectively with people under emotional strain.
Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with others.
Ability to inspire confidence and respect of individuals on probation.
Physical condition commensurate with the demands of the position.
Open Competitive:
Candidates must meet the established minimum qualifications for Probation Trainee which are:
Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State Board of Regents to grant degrees with a Bachelor’s Degree, which must have included thirty (30) semester credit hours in social or behavioral sciences. (There is no substitution for the minimum qualifications.)
NOTE: The social sciences are those sciences concerned with humans living in relation to other humans in a social environment and includes course study in psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, and history, political science, geography. Education is NOT included in the social sciences. Behavioral science is a sub-set of social sciences psychology, sociology, and anthropology.
CONCURRENT WITH OR IN ADDITION TO THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR PROBATION TRAINEE CANDIDATES MUST MEET ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:
A Completion of a major course of study at a regionally accredited or New York State registered college or university in American Indian, African American or Hispanic Culture Studies which must have included a minimum of twenty-four (24) semester credit hours; or,
B Two (2) years of close cultural association experience with American Indians (1)*, African American or Hispanics (2)** or a work association in a criminal justice setting that requires advocacy for or interaction with American Indians, African Americans, Hispanics, Asians and other minority ethnic groups.
(1)* Person having origins in the original people of North America and who has maintained cultural identification through tribal affiliation or community recognition.
(2)** Person of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Central or South American or other Spanish culture other than European.
NOTE: “Close Cultural Association” is defined as involvement in cultural activities or cultural groups, or participation in advocacy groups, or involvement in religious or political groups or organizations.
Work or volunteer experience which involves supervision or case management of minority persons is not considered a close cultural association for the purpose of meeting these minimum qualifications.
NOTE: Employees in this position will be required to successfully complete the NYS requirements for firearms training. At the discretion of the Commissioner of Probation, assignment to certain job duties will necessitate carrying a firearm in the execution of duties, while for certain other job duties the carrying of a firearm will be an option.
10/03 Revised