Occ. Code 8602200
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PAROLE OFFICER, GRADE 21 |
8602200 |
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SENIOR PAROLE OFFICER, GARDE 24 |
8602300 |
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SUPERVISING PAROLE OFFICER, M-3 |
8602500 |
New York State Department of Civil Service
Classification Standard
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CLASS SERIES
Positions in the Parole Officer title series provide supervision and guidance to an assigned caseload of offenders released from State and local correctional facilities to ensure and assist in their compliance with the terms and conditions of release. Incumbents perform both social casework and law enforcement functions, requiring experience in developing and implementing treatment services, participation in firearms training, and possession of knowledge of arrest procedures and criminal law. Parole Officers also work with community-based organizations to deliver needed services to an offender population under court-imposed sentences. All incumbents in this title series are sworn peace officers under New York State Criminal Procedure Law, are required to carry firearms while on duty, must pass firearms qualification testing, and must participate in various training in combat, tactics, and the use of force. Most positions in this series are field-based, and frequent travel is required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
PAROLE OFFICER: full performance level; under the general supervision of a Senior Parole Officer, guide and direct an assigned caseload of releasees, determine their compliance with the conditions of parole, and maintain all information for each case within the agencys computer systems. Incumbents have substantial contact with the public, other law enforcement officials, and social service agencies.
SENIOR PAROLE OFFICER: first-line supervisors primarily assigned to area field offices and work release programs; supervise, assess, and evaluate a unit of Parole Officers; and perform such front line tasks as enforcing the policies and procedures of the agency, issuing parole warrants, and making recommendations to revoke parole or pursue alternatives.
SUPERVISING PAROLE OFFICER: typically function as the top administrative officer and manager of parole operations within a specified geographic area or defined bureau; second-level supervisor responsible for supervising all parole staff within their territory; plan and implement programs; direct the activities of line staff and subordinate supervisors; ensure that agency policies and appropriate practices are followed.
ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES
PAROLE OFFICER
Responsible for the supervision and development of individual case management plans for an assigned caseload of releasees.
· Receives caseload assignments from a correctional facility or another community supervision office.
· Reviews all relevant materials and determines if the proposed residence and employment identified for releasee is appropriate.
· Meets with those who are proposing residence with or for releasees, and advises them of expectations as well as rules and regulations of parole.
· Authors and otherwise prepares Community Preparation Reports for supervisors signature detailing whether or not residence and proposed programs should be approved.
· Meets with parolees, first within 24 hours of release and frequently thereafter. Provides information such as conditions of release (some conditions are standard, some conditions are specific to a given parolee or a given offense), treatment plans, employment opportunities, the fact that drug and alcohol screening will occur, and the like.
· Identifies treatment and services needs for parolees, and ensures those needs are met. This may range from housing and employment to drug treatment and mental health services.
· Identifies and utilizes agency and community resources and public and private providers to advocate for and secure services for releasees and forge comprehensive and appropriate alternatives to incarceration.
· Maintains ongoing contact with releasees, work release inmates, strict and intensive supervision respondents, and local conditionally released individuals, consistent with procedure and the individual needs of each case, performing a wide range of specific activities.
· May be required to handle emergency crisis situations at other than normal working hours.
· Performs any and all administrative tasks related to and arising from main functions.
Investigates parole violations, apprehends violators, and affects arrests.
· Investigates information received or negative behavior observed which may indicate a possible violation.
· Verifies possible violation or other unacceptable behavior by performing investigative activities as necessary and appropriate.
· With supervisory input and assistance, determines the best course of action and plans apprehension.
· Must prepare written Violation of Release Report and must serve the violator with an official Notice of Violation.
· Transports the offender to an appropriate detention facility.
Participates in revocation hearings and other legal proceedings as related to the violation.
· Presents evidence for the Department at hearings and other legal proceedings.
· Defends actions in formal legal proceedings, applying knowledge of criminal law and applicable procedures.
· Obtains and serves subpoenas.
· Transports witnesses and evidence.
· Attends hearings, at hearings presents evidence and testimony, and as-needed consults with agency legal staff.
· May conduct investigations other than those related to current caseload, such as pre-parole investigations, furlough investigations, or special investigations as required.
· May work other special assignments.
SENIOR PAROLE OFFICER
Performs the full range of supervisory duties over Parole Officers and related community supervision staff, including assigning cases and investigations as appropriate; monitoring field investigation reports and central office directives; maintaining records; conducting periodic meetings; evaluating job performance and conducting job performance related meetings; etc.
Provides casework supervision, including assigning cases within the unit; maintaining casework records; determining the suitability of the releasees treatment and programming; reviewing the suitability of services; and similar such duties.
May conduct investigations.
Provides orientation to, training for, and evaluation of new employees.
Directs the Parole Violation process.
· Conducts case conference with Parole Officers to elicit facts and direct further investigation and documentation to determine the best course of action.
· Together with the Parole Officers, evaluates the circumstances of the violation, taking all relevant factors (law; agency policy; criminal patterns in the releasees behavior; potential danger to the community; and the like) into consideration.
· Reviews Notice of Violation and charges to ensure that all appropriateness and compliance with agency standards.
· Approves Parole Officers request to subpoena witnesses for hearings.
· Prepares Bureau Analysis for declaration of delinquency or other appropriate action.
· Prepares and issues warrants; referring atypical cases to the Supervising Parole Officer when needed.
May serve as Range Officer or Firearms Instructor for weapons training.
May serve as a Preliminary Hearing Officer. In such capacity, calls witnesses, makes rulings, and finds probable cause or lack of probable cause.
May serve in acting capacity as Area Supervisor in the absence of the Area Supervisor.
SUPERVISING PAROLE OFFICER
Oversees the parole process by guiding and directing staff actions in accordance with agency policy.
· Reviews cases to ensure adherence to agency policy and procedure.
· Decides on the issuance or non-issuance of warrants in cases referred by the Senior Parole Officer.
· Makes emergency decisions as needed, including at other than regular office hours.
As a second-level supervisor directs, evaluates, disciplines, trains, and otherwise performs the full range of supervisory duties over subordinate staff (including subordinates in the Parole Officer series and other titles as needed).
· Establishes priorities and timeframes for work completion through written and oral instructions.
· Consults with Senior Parole Officers on staff supervision problems and makes recommendations.
· Evaluates staff job performance and takes remedial action.
· Mediates disputes between staff members, as necessary.
· Determines when training is needed for subordinate staff and makes the appropriate arrangements for such training.
· Reviews and investigates violations of agency policy, assessing nature and severity. Prepares reports and seeks discipline or other corrective administrative action when appropriate.
Participates in the development of policy and programs.
Develops and handles community and public relations.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
PAROLE OFFICER
Open Competitive: completion of a two year traineeship; OR a bachelors degree and three years of professional casework experience in a social services, correctional, or criminal justice agency primarily focused on the establishment of an ongoing relationship with the client(s), where the perspective incumbent is responsible for the development and implementation of appropriate treatment services for significant social problems such as substance abuse, mental and emotional problems, family disturbance, and delinquency. In addition, candidates must possess and maintain an unrestricted New York State drivers license.
Substitution: a law degree or a masters degree in social work or rehabilitation counseling may be substituted for two years of the required experience. A masters degree in sociology, criminal justice, or psychology may be substituted for one year of the required experience.
SENIOR PAROLE OFFICER
Promotion: one year of permanent competitive service as a Parole Officer.
SUPERVISING PAROLE OFFICER
Promotion: one year of permanent competitive service as a Senior Parole Officer, Parole Revocation Specialist 1, or Parole Revocation Specialist 2.
Date: 10/16
NOTE: Classification Standards illustrate the nature, extent, and scope of duties and responsibilities of the classes they describe. Standards cannot and do not include all of the work that might be appropriately performed by a class. The minimum qualifications above are those which were required for appointment at the time the Classification Standard was written. Please contact the Division of Staffing Services for current information on minimum qualification requirements for appointment or examination.