The Marion County Court of Common Pleas, Family Division is taking applications for a position within our Juvenile Probation Department. Marion’s Family Court includes the County’s Probate, Domestic Relations, and Juvenile Divisions and is located at 222 West Center Street in Marion, Ohio. 

The successful candidate will be assigned as an Intake & Investigations Probation Officer.  The Probation Officer reports to the Chief Probation Officer.  Normal Court business hours are 8:30 – 4:30, Monday through Friday.  However, the officer may be required to work four days per week (ten hours per day) instead of five days, based on the team composition.  All officers are expected to be available for consultation and for emergencies at any time, unless on approved vacation or sick time.  The salary range for this position will be $20.00 - $22.50 per hour, commensurate with experience.  Marion County offers medical, dental, and vision insurance, along with Ohio Public Employee Retirement System (OPERS) benefits.

Marion County Family Court is a part of the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI), and we are committed to ensuring that youth and families that are involved with our Court are treated with dignity and respect. Probation Department Officers play an important role at the Court, as we strive to adhere to JDAI principles.  Modern case management, case planning, and social work principles and practices must be applied in order to accomplish the Court’s goals, related to JDAI and restorative justice. Learn more at https://dys.ohio.gov/courts-and-community/juvenile-detention-alternatives-initiative .

Section 2: Duties & Responsibilities

Duties of the Probation Officer include, but are not limited to:

• Developing, coordinating, and enforcing the supervision and treatment of juveniles placed on probation.
• Regular meetings and contacts with youth in the office, field, and other community locations such as correctional and treatment facilities.
• Develop a one-on-one supportive relationship with youth and family members.
• Formulate treatment plans with appropriate goals and objectives within the general conditions of probation. Development of case plans in conjunction with offenders to address high need areas and identify risk factors.
• Utilization of evidence-based supervision practices to facilitate behavioral changes.
• Monitor all treatment plans to ensure that youth are complying with the requirements of the court.
• Link families and youth to necessary services and community resources including drug and alcohol treatment, job programs, pregnancy services, etc.
• Maintains regular contact with youth, parents, schools, counselors, team members and other justice system partners.
• Ensures continuity of care by collaborating with service providers regarding case developments.
• Maintains client files, documents hearings, and youth supervision progress.
• Enforce youth’s compliance with court orders.
• Conduct pre-dispositional investigations and submit PDI reports to the presiding Judge.
• Investigate and verify information provided by youth when appropriate.
• Conduct OYAS assessments.
• Works the hours the hours shifts assigned and begins and ends work on time.
• Prepare written probation violation reports and/or violation of Court orders.
• Conduct drug screens or monitor drug screening of youth.
• Transport youth to correctional and/or treatment facilities.
• Testify in various court hearings.
• Caseload is dependent upon classification of probationers (low risk, medium risk, high risk, and special needs).

Section 3: Qualifications & Requirements

Position requirements:

• Preference to work with children and families through a social work or casework lens instead of a traditional or law enforcement-centric methodology.

• Ability to work effectively under pressure of deadlines.
• Ability to work in a team environment, while also working independently.
• Demonstrated capacity to handle multiple tasks, projects and meet deadlines
• Excellent organization and time management skills.
• Excellent writing, typing (minimum of 60 wpm), verbal, communication, and computer skills.
• Knowledge of Marion County community resources with demonstrated experience working with youth, and an understanding of their values and belief systems.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality with sensitive information
• Computer literacy in word processing, Microsoft office, email, internet and excel spreadsheets.
• Demonstrate excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to develop strong relationships with diverse groups of citizens, who may have conflicting interests and opinions.

• Ability to maintain a professional demeanor at all times.
• OYAS certification required within probationary period. 
• Candidate will be required to successfully complete the Probation Officer Academy Training within the first year of employment.
• The position requires some evening and weekend hours, although minimal. 

Preferred qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree from accredited educational institution in the field of social work, criminal justice, criminology, psychology, cognitive behavior therapy/counseling or other applicable field of study.
• Experience in restorative justice, offender services, or related field a plus.
• Experience with community service agencies.
• Experience supporting, empowering, and managing offenders or individuals with mental health and/or substance abuse issues.
• Licensed social worker and/or certification in chemical dependency treatment a plus.
• Experience supporting, empowering and managing offenders.
• Must be willing to work with the criminal offender population, which may include sex offenders.
• Must have reliable transportation and possess a valid driver’s license.
• Strong computer, typing, verbal, and communication skills.

Special requirements:

Pre-employment screening required including employment reference, criminal background check, drug testing, and skills testing. Candidate will be required to successfully complete the Probation Officer Academy Training (now online coursework) within the first year of employment. Positions that are of a specialized area must possess a basic understanding of the caseload in which they are specialized. This position is regularly exposed to sensitive information and the incumbent is required to keep any such information strictly confidential.  Applicants must have a valid driver’s license and be capable of being qualified to use a Taser.

Section 4: How to Apply

Please submit your resume and cover letter via email, mail, or drop it off in person to the attention of Gwyn McKinniss.

• Application is open until position is filled

• While we sincerely appreciate all applications, only those candidates selected for interview will be contacted
• Position is currently open and could be filled immediately
• Please note the selected candidate will be required to submit to a thorough background check which includes local, state, and federal checks.

Gwyn McKinniss, Fiscal Administrator

Marion County Family Court

222 West Center Street

Marion, OH 43302  

Email- gmckinniss@co.marion.oh.us

DISCLAIMER:

The information provided in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by incumbents within this job.  It is not designed to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications and working conditions required of employees assigned to this job.  Court Administrators of the Marion County Family Court have discretion to add or modify duties of the job and to designate other functions as essential at any time.  This job description is not an employment agreement or contract.