Probation and Parole Officer I (#MBEA01)

Probation and Parole Officer II (#MBEA02)

Senior Probation and Parole Officer (#MBEA03)

Probation and Parole Supervisor (#MBEA04)
$55,313.00 Yearly Min / $69,141.00 Yearly Mid / $82,969.00 Yearly Max

Probation and Parole Operations Administrator (#MBEA05)
$62,631.00 Yearly Min / $78,289.00 Yearly Mid / $93,947.00 Yearly Max

Probation and Parole Regional Manager (#MBEA06)
$75,464.00 Yearly Min / $94,330.00 Yearly Mid / $113,196.00 Yearly Max

Director of Probation and Parole (#MBEA07)
$90,926.00 Yearly Min / $113,657.00 Yearly Mid / $136,388.00 Yearly Max

This class series uses seven levels in the Public Safety occupational group, Probation and Parole occupational series and describes work performed to motivate and ensure offenders comply with the terms of court imposed probation or conditions of release from correctional facilities. Work is performed to provide rehabilitation/prevent incarceration as well as protection of the community from possible risk. 

Note: This career ladder series incorporates levels I, II, and Senior. The I level is to provide entry for hiring new employees into the class series but does not preclude hiring new employees at higher levels.  Employees may be promoted through the career ladder in accordance with minimum qualifications and promotional standards. Promotional standards, a selection document under separate cover, sets forth the criteria that defines and describes the requirements that must be met at each level.  Advancement of employees through the career ladder is dependent on an agency's/department's operational needs and distribution of work. 

The Probation and Parole Supervisor, Operations Administrator, Regional Manager and Director levels, although not part of the career ladder, provides competitive opportunity for movement of employees. 

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.

• Interviews offenders to obtain and verify personal, social and delinquent/criminal histories; evaluates information and offenders' attitude toward offense to determine community risk, frequency of client contact and identify needs.
• Determines appropriate methods of addressing offender problems and needs based on nature and complexity of problems, offender's stability and available community resources.
• Develops and implements case supervision/treatment plans outlining goals and objectives to be accomplished and the methods and techniques to be used.
• Monitors offenders' activities to ensure compliance with the conditions of probation and parole through field visits, office appointments and telephone contact.
• Investigates possible probation and parole violations; may request warrant for arrest, search or seizure; may assist law enforcement officials in executing warrant.
• Attends hearings to answer questions, make recommendations and presents progress reports.
• Prepares narrative reports describing probation/parole violations, progress, evaluations and recommendations for case disposition.
• Prepares and updates a variety of records and files.
• Contacts offenders and their families, the courts, Board of Parole, various state institutions, community resources, mental health facilities and employers to ensure that offenders comply with the conditions of probation and/or parole and that they receive services, e.g., drug counseling, employment and family counseling, and related services. 

Probation and Parole Officer I

This is the entry level.

• Reports to a technical supervisor.
• Performs the full range of essential functions.

Probation and Parole Officer II

This is the full performance level.

• Work is performed with an increased independence of action at this level.
• May train lower level officers/paraprofessional staff and volunteers.

Senior Probation and Parole Officer

This is the advanced level.

• Performs lead level functions to assist in the daily supervision of unit activities such as providing staff training, approving reports of lower level staff, resolving problems and providing technical guidance in case management.
• Coordinates program areas or special projects and serves as chair of various committees or acts as liaison with community agencies.
• Works with the most complex cases.

Probation and Parole Supervisor

This is the supervisory level.

• Supervision is exercised over at least two or more merit full time positions per Merit Rule 5.1460. The elements of supervision include planning, assigning, reviewing, evaluating, coaching, training, recommending hire/fire and discipline.
• Provides input in the development, revision, and implementation of agency goals, objectives, policies and procedures.
• Speaks before groups and provides information on agency programs.

Probation & Parole Operations Administrator

This is the administrative level planning, implementing and supervising a statewide probation/parole program or managing the daily operations of a satellite or district probation/parole office.

• Maintains contact with community service agencies to ensure initiation of referrals, proper placements and continuity of treatment as offenders move through the correctional system.
• Coordinates with all agencies and communities involved in the program(s) to ensure integrity, effectiveness and efficiency.
• Develops policies and procedures for assigned program area and provides input in the development, revision, and implementation of policies and procedures.
• Conducts preliminary hearings of offenders alleged to be in violation of parole, conditional release, or interstate probation/parole.
• Ensures compliance with legislative and reporting requirements regarding offenders and victims.
• Compiles and analyzes statistics/data for program/office measures and efficiency and budget preparation.
• Represents the department on task forces, committees and attends regular public meetings with civic associations, local law enforcement and neighborhood treatment providers to address public safety issues.

Probation and Parole Regional Manager

This is the management level overseeing the administration and operation of district and satellite probation and parole offices for an assigned geographical area.

• Administers contracts with vendors for facility and treatment services.
• Manages, through subordinate supervisors, the 24 hour/7 day operation of district and satellite probation and parole offices in an assigned geographical area.
• Develops and implements priorities, goals, programs, projects, policies and procedures.
• Participates with other Bureau management staff in planning and implementing long term goals and objectives as well as programs and services.
• Ensures the provision of quality programs and services through monitoring and proper allocation of resources.
• Develops, prepares, justifies and monitors operating budget.
• Interfaces with other district offices, courts, federal, other state, public and private agencies, community organizations, officials, legislators, contractual agencies/vendors for the purpose of acquiring services, developing/implementing programs/projects, coordinating program activities/resources, explaining laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures, resolving complaints/problems, and related activities.
• Coordinates special projects and represents the agency on committees, task forces and at public meetings.
• Prepares special and routine status, project and investigative reports.

Director of Probation and Parole

This is the director level planning, implementing and directing Probation and Parole operations/programs statewide.

• Reports to a Bureau Chief.
• Statewide operations include probation/parole, pretrial, presentence, interstate/central office, intake services, community work programs and support services.
• Coordinates activities of program areas with the court system, Board of Parole, correctional institutions, law enforcement agencies, and private agencies.
• Develops or oversees the development and implementation of programs, policies and procedures and provides guidance in the implementation of programs and interpretation and application of laws, rules, regulations, polices and procedures.
• Prepares, administers and controls the annual budget.
• Interfaces with other agency management and officials, federal, other state, public and private agencies, community organizations, local elected officials, and legislators to address public safety issues, develop and implement programs/projects, coordinate program activities, respond to inquiries, explain laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures and resolve complaints/problems.
• Represents the agency  on a variety of state and national committees.

The intent of the listed knowledge, skills and abilities is to give a general indication of the core requirements for all positions in the class series; therefore, the KSA's listed are not exhaustive or necessarily inclusive of the requirements of every position in the class.

• Knowledge of human behavior.
• Knowledge of the interviewing methods and techniques used in eliciting and evaluating sensitive information from persons of various socio-economic backgrounds.
• Knowledge of the social, psychological and economic causes of behavior deviations.
• Knowledge of casework principles and practices.
• Knowledge of effective communications.
• Knowledge of the means of establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
• Knowledge of record keeping practices and procedures.
• Ability to recognize symptoms of maladjustment and determine necessity of referral to appropriate community resources.
• Ability to relate to various backgrounds and levels of educational development and expression.
• Ability to apply the principles, theories, methods and techniques of individual, group, and family counseling when working with offenders.
• Ability to apply casework principles and practices to the preparation of treatment plans and management of varied caseload.
• Ability to exercise sound judgement in emergency situations and act in an appropriate manner.

In addition to the above Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, the Probation and Parole Officer II requires:

• Knowledge of human behavior with emphasis on behavior deviations of persons involved in delinquent or criminal activities.
• Knowledge of the means of dealing effectively with persons in stressful situations.
• Knowledge of investigative methods and techniques.
• Knowledge of the operations of the criminal justice system including courtroom procedures, arraignment and arrest procedures.
• Knowledge of the relevant aspects of the Delaware Code and Delaware Criminal Justice System.
• Knowledge of applicable department rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Skill in conducting interviews for the purpose of eliciting and evaluating relevant information and making appropriate recommendations.

In addition to the above Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, the Senior Probation and Parole Officer requires:

• Skill in evaluating clients and determining need for referrals to appropriate community resources.
• Skill in conducting investigations.
• Skill in casework principles and practices.
• Ability to provide training and technical guidance to professional employees.
• Ability to review the work of professional staff to ensure consistent application of casework principles and conformance to agency policies and procedures.

In addition to the above Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, the Probation and Parole Supervisor requires:

• Knowledge of supervisory principles and practices.
• Knowledge of the principles, theories, methods, and techniques of individual, group, and family counseling.
• Ability to work effectively with disturbed, maladjusted, sociopathic, and/or criminal personalities in an authoritative setting.

In addition to the above Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, the Probation and Parole Operations Administrator requires:

• Knowledge of department and division rules, regulations, policies and procedures governing community service programs.
• Knowledge of correctional program development.
• Ability to evaluate operational and programmatic problems and implement effective solutions.

In addition to the above Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, the Probation and Parole Regional Manager requires:

• Knowledge of state, federal, department and division laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures regarding probation and parole programs.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices and theory used in probation and parole management.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices and methods of budget preparation, analysis and monitoring.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of contract administration.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of program development, implementation and evaluation.
• Knowledge of the operations of the criminal justice system.
• Skill in management of staff.
• Skill in the interpretation and application of state, federal, department and division laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Ability to develop and implement goals, objectives, programs, projects, policies and procedures.

In addition to the above Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities, the Director of Probation and Parole requires:

• Knowledge of the principles, practices and theory of probation and parole administration and management.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of budget administration.
• Skill in directing probation and parole operations and programs statewide.
• Skill in program design, implementation and evaluation.
• Skill in effective communication.
• Ability to evaluate, analyze and implement change.

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Senior Probation and Parole Officer
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

1. Possession of a Bachelors degree or higher.  
2. Three years experience in case management which includes assessing, planning, developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating options and services to meet an individuals human service needs.
3. Six months experience in probation and parole work which includes motivating and ensuring offenders comply with terms of court imposed probation or conditions of release from a correctional facility including arrests and searches. 
4. Six months experience in conducting investigations which includes conducting interviews to obtain confidential information, gathering evidence and documenting findings.
5. Six months experience in providing testimony before boards, commissions, administrative bodies or court officials.
6. Six months experience in interpreting laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures.
7. Six months experience in narrative report writing.
8. Knowledge of staff training.
9. Possession of a valid Driver’s License (not suspended, revoked or cancelled, or disqualified from driving).