Probation Counselor I

Job Announcement

This position is located in Court Services Division's Pretrial Services Unit of the General District Court. This position interviews recently incarcerated defendants to determine their eligibility for participation in the court's supervised release program.

Conducts interviews in the jail using the PTCC Pretrial Defendant Questionnaire (PDQ), the Virginia Court-Appointed Counsel sheet and the Virginia Pretrial Risk Assessment Instrument (VPRAI). The interview involves collecting data from arresting documents, gathering information from personal interviews with defendants, and verifying the information with family, friends, employers and co-workers. The information is documented using the PTCC computer program. The Fairfax County local record system, the NCIC/VCIN and DMV criminal history computer systems are used to obtain defendants' criminal histories.

Reviews all data that reflects on a defendant's degree of risk of danger to the community (individual and/or general public), and the degree of risk of fleeing the jurisdiction or failing to appear in court. Presents bond recommendations to the magistrates at the jail or to the judiciary in court at arraignments. Bond recommendations can include monetary bond (higher or lower), third party custody, supervised release, personal recognizance or any combination.

Schedule: This position requires shift work that rotates every four weeks. Shifts will be subject to change based on the agency's needs and at the supervisor's discretion. The job shifts are:
6:30 am - 4:30 pm
10:30 am - 8:30 pm
4:30 pm - 2:30 am
8:30 am - 6:30 am

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 time frame after appointment and recertification annually thereafter:

• VCIN CERTIFICATION (Required within 6 months)
• CORE TRAINING BASIC SKILLS (Required within 6 months)

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 will be required to complete a criminal background check to the satisfaction of the employer.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Less than a year of relevant experience, including internships, is preferred but not required.
• Position requires good working knowledge of the criminal justice system as a whole. Less than one year of experience working in a court/jail setting or agency that has a close connection with a General District Court.
• Basic knowledge of the Code of Virginia, especially in adult community corrections.
• Should possess basic competency in the PTCC (Pretrial and Community Corrections) System and Case Management System (CMS).
• Should have some experience making release recommendations to the magistrates for defendants eligible for Supervised Release.
• Some proficiency in Spanish is preferred but not required.
• Experience and proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office computer software, especially Outlook, Word, and Excel.

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. Must communicate with others. Employee may require to lift up to 15 pounds. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:
Panel interview and may include a practical exercise.

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.