Probation Counselor Ii

Job Announcement

This position is under general supervision of the Probation Supervisor II in the Supervision Unit of the Court Services Division in the General District Court. This position is responsible for providing high quality supervision to adult pretrial and post-trial clients (defendants and offenders) referred to the Supervised Release Program (SRP) and Adult Probation Services.

The duties are as follows:

• Maintains a pretrial and probation caseloads of specialized and high risk clients, i.e., mental health issues, sex offenders, violent offenders. These complex cases require specialized counseling skills and treatment approaches (e.g. dual diagnosis & substance abuse treatment) by coordinating with all needed service providers in different disciplines.
• Assiss 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.
• Conducts interviews and investigations to complete the intake process.
• Maintains a pretrial and probation caseload of specialized and high-risk clients, i.e., mental health issues, sex offenders, violent offenders.
• Determines the level of supervision and monitors clients' compliance through regular scheduled meetings and counseling.
• Assesses clients' needs and provides referrals to appropriate community resources and treatment services.
• Assists the clients in obtaining services when necessary; coordinates and collaborates with other service providers to make joint decisions about effective service strategies, schedules and sequences the delivery of multiple services effectively and efficiently to meet the clients needs.

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 bachelor's degree in social/behavioral sciences, criminal justice, or education plus two years of professional experience in probation work, social work, criminal justice, juvenile justice, education, or counseling. A master's degree in the disciplines above may be substituted for one year of the required experience.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
The following are required within six months of appointment and recertification every two years:

• VCIN Certification
• Core Training Basic Skills

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:

• Position requires good working knowledge of the criminal justice system as a whole.
• Two or more years of direct experience working in a community corrections setting, especially in a Pre-trial or Probation Community Corrections program with defendants who have behavioral health concerns.
• At least two years of professional experience in probation work, social work, criminal justice, juvenile justice, education, or counseling, including testifying in a court setting is preferred.
• At least one year of professional experience administering mental health, substance abuse, or risk/needs-based screening instruments.
• At least one to two years of experience supervising clients for a treatment or special court (such as a Veteran's Treatment Docket, Mental Health Treatment Docket, or Drug Court) either during Pre-trial or Post-trial stage of community supervision.
• Proficiency with Motivational Interviewing.
• Knowledge of the Code of Virginia, and the criminal court process.
• Should possess good leadership skills and possess competency in the PTCC (Pretrial and Community Corrections System) and the Virginia Supreme Court Case Management System (CMS).
• Should possess skills in customer service, communication (verbal, written, and presentation).
• VCIN (Virginia Criminal Information Network) certification preferred.
• Any combination of education, experience and training equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a Bachelor's Degree or higher in Criminal Justice, Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Education, or related field.
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office computer software, especially Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Proficiency using Pre-trial specific online case management systems.

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. DHREmployment@fairfaxcounty.gov. EEO/AA/TTY.