State of Maryland

A Parole and Probation Agent I is the entry level of work involving the supervision of a mixed caseload of minimum, medium and maximum security adult parole cases.  Employees in these classifications use casework techniques to counsel, encourage and assist parole and probation clients in adopting socially acceptable behavior patterns for reintegration into the community.  Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions.  

Employees in this classification receive close supervision from a Parole and Probation Field Supervisor.  Employees may be expected to work on weekends and holidays and may be subject to call-in 24 hours a day.            

Positions in this classification are evaluated using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work Sections of the class specification.  

The Parole and Probation Agent I, Parole and Probation Agent II and Parole and Probation Agent Senior are differentiated on the basis of the degree of supervisory control exercised by the supervisor over these employees.  The Parole and Probation Agent I learns to perform duties under close supervision.  The Parole and Probation Agent II performs duties under close supervision at times and under general supervision at other times depending on the complexity of the specific duty being performed.  The Parole and Probation Agent Senior performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.

Conducts field visitations to parole and probation clients' homes, employment and community treatment programs consistent with case supervision responsibilities;

Counsels persons on parole and probation concerning personal problems;

Interviews clients and explains the rules and requirements of a community supervision program;

Investigates proposed residence and employment plans and helps persons on parole and probation make environmental changes, such as finding another residence, employment, social contacts, and affiliations;

Prepares investigational reports, case records and progress summaries;

Recommends action to be taken with respect to technical violation of the rules of parole and probation; Initiates confidential investigations and conducts surveillances, and searches for absconded parolees and probationers;

Testifies in support of specific recommendations resulting from investigations of the conduct of clients;

May recommend to courts and to parole authorities modifications of any special conditions which they had imposed at the time of granting parole or probation;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the principles of criminology, psychology and sociology;

Knowledge of interviewing and counseling techniques;

Ability to gather, evaluate and report factual personal information regarding clients;

Ability to conduct interviews;

Ability to deal constructively with aggressive, hostile or other emotional difficulties of clients and to respond to interpersonal contacts with tact, diplomacy, understanding, fairness, and good judgment;

Ability to communicate effectively;

Ability to prepare clear, complete and concise factual reports;

Ability to establish and maintain satisfactory working relationships with co-workers and clients;

Ability to learn the contents of the Division of Parole and Probation Operations Manual.

Education:    A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with 30 credits in the social, behavioral or correctional sciences.  

Experience:  None.  

Notes:     

1.  Candidates may substitute one year of specialized experience counseling, investigating or supervising persons on parole or probation for the 30 semester credit hours in the social, behavioral or correctional sciences.  

2.  Candidates may substitute graduate level education at an accredited college or university in the social, behavioral or correctional sciences for one year of the required experience at a rate of 30 credits for one year of experience.  

1. Employees in this classification are subject to call-in 24 hours a day and, therefore, will be required to provide a telephone number at which they can be reached.

2. Candidates must meet all selection standards as set forth in the Code of Maryland Regulations by the Maryland Correctional Training Commission. Candidates who receive a probationary appointment must satisfactorily complete a prescribed training program prior to permanent appointment. Selection standards of the Correctional Training Commission may be obtained from the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, Suite 309, 6776 Reisterstown Road, Baltimore Maryland 21215.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System. All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions. Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.  

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit H- Public Safety and Security  classes. As provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining. Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.  

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation.  An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime, as provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.  

This classification is one level in a Non-Competitive Promotion (NCP) series.  NCP promotions are promotions by which employees may advance in grade and class level from trainee to full performance level in a classification series.  In order to be non-competitively promoted to the next level in a NCP series, an employee must: 1) perform the main purpose of the class, as defined by the Nature of Work section of the class specification; 2) receive the type of supervision defined in the class specification and 3) meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.