PAROLE OFFICER RECRUIT (Code 61769)

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Definition

Under the immediate supervision of a supervisory officer within the New Jersey State Parole Board, Division of Parole, works as a recruit and productive worker. Receives training while attending a New Jersey Police Training Commission (P.T.C.) certified training program in order to qualify as a peace officer for the detection, apprehension, arrest, and conviction of offenders; assists Senior Parole Officers in the performance of duties; does other related duties.

Examples of work

• As a recruit and productive worker:
• Attends a formal Parole Officer Recruit Training Program and is responsible for learning to conduct investigations and arrests, receives instruction in firearms care and use, report preparation, interviewing of parolees, parole laws and regulations, and law enforcement, professional casework topics and other training courses.
• Required to qualify semi-annually in the use of firearms and other defense/restraint equipment after completion of the Parole Officer Recruit Training Program
• Carries a firearm and other appropriate law enforcement equipment while performing duties.
• Responsible for the care, use, and security of assigned firearm and other law enforcement equipment.
• After completion of the Parole Officer Recruit Training Program is empowered to act as a peace officer for the detection, apprehension, arrest, and conviction of offenders.
• Attends formal classes and receives on-the-job training and instruction in the principles and practices of parole casework in either a district parole office or other operational unit.
• Participates in new and revised planning programs for the social, emotional, and economic adjustment of parolees and prospective parolees.
• Participates in conducting investigations of existing and potential employment opportunities for persons on parole or about to be paroled.
• Participates in conducting investigations and in developing parole plans for prospective parolees.
• Prepares reports to be used in the preparation of case histories when required.
• Learns to recognize and rapidly evaluate potentially dangerous situations involving parolees/parole violators; exercises caution and independent judgment in handling these circumstances to avoid personal injury or to prevent endangerment of the general public or serious property damage.
• Participates in the work involved in interviewing parolees, explaining the conditions of their parole, and the rules and regulations of the State Parole Board and the Division of Parole.
• Participates in the work involved in maintaining liaison with law enforcement agencies, courts, employers, clergy, school officers, welfare agencies, and civic and business organizations, and with the relatives of parolees and others for the purpose of rehabilitating persons on parole.
• Participates in the work involved in conducting necessary investigations of parole violations and, as required, prepares reports and recommendations thereon.
• Discusses offenders' court imposed revenue obligations, sets payment schedules, and makes collections; coordinates collection efforts with other government or private agencies in the event of default; performs necessary record keeping and maintenance activities as required.
• May be required to assist a Senior Parole Officer, Assistant District Parole Supervisor, District Parole Supervisor, or Supervising Parole Officer in placing a parole violator under arrest.
• As assigned, and under supervision, supervises a caseload of persons under the supervision of the State Parole Board.
• Prepares correspondence and reports.
• Maintains records and files.
• Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency. Will be expected to learn to both retrieve data and enter data into agency operated databases and other databases that are shared with other law enforcement agencies

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey at the time of appointment

Knowledge, skills and abilities

Knowledge of the economic, social, emotional, and other problems of paroled persons, and of the reactions to be expected of such persons. Ability to read, interpret, and apply information on the laws of New Jersey relevant to probation, parole, the operation of law enforcement agencies, and the courts. Ability to read and interpret information on the theory of modern social casework, penology, sociology, and criminology. Ability to function as a peace officer for the detection, apprehension, arrest, and conviction of offenders after a period of training. Ability to recognize and evaluate potentially dangerous situations involving parolees and to exercise caution and independent judgment in the handling of these circumstances. Ability to assist with the work involved in supervising persons on parole who may be of varied ethnic and social backgrounds, who may possess varied levels of intellectual comprehension and English ability, and who may be antagonistic and/or emotionally disturbed. Ability to visit and speak with business persons, employers, judges, clergy, police officers, school officers, and the representatives of health, welfare, civic and business organizations to enlist their cooperation in plans for the rehabilitation of parolees and, as required, to collect information for future action. Ability to learn to conduct interviews and investigations of prospective parolees, and of parole violations. Ability to set appropriate payment schedules to collect court imposed revenue obligations concomitant with the capability to pay, to coordinate the efforts necessary to collect payments in default and to maintain records thereon. Ability to plan and work constructively with parolees in the areas of improved family life, steady employment, and wholesome personal and neighborhood associates. Ability to be proficient in the care, use, and security of firearms and other law enforcement equipment after a period of training. Ability to assist in the apprehension and arrest of parole violators. Ability to assist with the work involved in investigating and evaluating the living conditions of parolees. Ability to work harmoniously with coworkers and superior officers and to consistently maintain a professional attitude. Ability to prepare correspondence. Ability to learn to prepare clear, sound, accurate, and informative case histories, summaries, and other reports concerning parole matters containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to maintain essential records and files. Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency. Ability to learn to both retrieve data and enter data into agency operated databases and other databases that are shared with her law enforcement agencies Ability to read, write, speak, understand and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible. PROMOTION Appointees who successfully complete the required twelve (12) month training period will be eligible for promotion to the title Senior Parole Officer, under Department of Personnel Procedures. The inability of an employee in this title to attain a level of performance warranting advancement to the title listed above shall be considered as cause for separation. This job specification is applicable to the following title code(s) which are different work week or work month of the job class title: Job Spec Code State, Local or Common Class of Service Work Week State Class Code Local Class Code Salary Range

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. Experience may not be substituted for the above educational requirement. SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: AGE: Minimum of eighteen (18) years of age. CITIZENSHIP No person shall be appointed as a State Parole Officer Recruit unless he/she is a citizen of the United States. At the time of appointment, applicants for this position must submit acceptable proof of meeting the indicated requirements. Appointee will be required to satisfactorily complete a Parole Officer Recruit Training Program as part of the one (1) year recruit period. Such training includes successful attainment of a level of proficiency in the use of firearms. Appointees to this position shall be required to qualify in the use of firearms on a semi-annual basis SPECIAL NOTE: Candidates certified from the eligible list for this title will be required to undergo medical and psychological examinations administered by the appointing authority. The responsibility for ensuring that employees possess the required motor vehicle license, commensurate with the class and type of vehicles they operate, rests with the Appointing Authority. SC4099N/AF99-SCNE99N/AF99- This job specification is for government use only. Salary range is only applicable to state government. Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions. MER 02/29/2008