Probation Counselor I

Job Announcement

As a member of the Supervision Unit of the Court Services Division, provides high quality supervision to adult pretrial and post-trial clients (defendants and offenders) referred to the Supervised Release Program (SRP) and Adult Probation Services. Works under general supervision of the Probation Supervisor I and duties include:

• Maintains a caseload of pretrial and probation clients.
• Assists in rehabilitation of clients through supervision, education, counseling, conflict resolution, and referrals to community resources.
• Maintains concise and accurate case records.
• Presents cases in court and makes sound recommendations to the judiciary.
• Ensures the clients' compliance with the court orders, and clients obey all laws and ordinances.

Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following: (Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for “Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to”) Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in social/behavioral sciences, law enforcement, or education.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
The following certifications must be obtained within a specified timeframe after appointment and recertification annually thereafter:

• VCIN Certification required within 6 months
• Core Training Basic Skills required within 6 months

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in Criminal Justice, Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Education, or related field.
• Good working knowledge of the criminal justice system as a whole.
• Direct experience working in a community corrections setting.
• Knowledge of the Code of Virginia and the criminal court process, to include demonstrated work experience testifying in a court setting.
• Experience administering mental health, substance abuse, or risk/needs-based screening instruments.
• Proficient with Motivational Interviewing (MI).
• Corrections System and Case Management System (CMS).
• Excellent customer service skills, to include communication (verbal, written, and presentation).
• Experience in the use of Microsoft Office computer software, especially Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• VCIN (Virginia Criminal Information Network) certification.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• All newly hired employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (two weeks after the last required dose) as a condition of employment or obtain approval of a medical or religious exemption prior to their start date. Proof of an exemption or vaccination status will be required during the pre-employment onboarding process. New employees who obtain an exemption from the vaccine mandate for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs may be subject to a weekly testing requirement. Vaccinated employees and employees with a medical or religious exemption will complete the attestation online on their first day of employment or shortly thereafter.
• The appointee to the position must satisfactorily complete a criminal background check.
• Contingent upon area of assignment, some positions require a check of the Child Protective Services Registry and National Crime Information Center/Virginia Crime Information Network (NCIC/VCIN) prior to employment

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Job is generally sedentary in nature, however, visual acuity is required to read data on computer monitor; incumbent must be able to operate keyboard driven equipment. May require to lift up to 15 pounds. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview.

The population of Fairfax County is very diverse where 39.8% of residents speak a language other than English at home (Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and others) and we encourage candidates bilingual in English and a foreign language to apply to this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY.