Probation Manager
- Summary
King County District Court (KCDC) has an opening for a Probation Manager who will coordinate and manage of a team of Probation Officers and Mental Health Specialists across five locations within King County.
The job is performed at a professional level with the expectation of appropriate and independent judgment and decision making in alignment with the Director of Probation Services or other executive-level staff as delegated. The Probation Manager is expected to demonstrate appropriate judgement, role modeling and technical expertise.
KCDC is the largest court of limited jurisdiction in the State of Washington. KCDC is committed to using technology to inform case management and intervention with probationers and is currently responsible for processing approximately 200,000 matters per year with 25 judges and approximately 260 employees in 8 locations. The Court is a leader in many areas involving public safety and access to justice, including the use of problem-solving courts, jail-alternative programs and judge-managed probation services. Twelve cities contract with King County for judicial services that are provided by KCDC.
Work locations for this position include the Seattle, Shoreline, Issaquah, and Auburn courthouses, and the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent.- Job Duties
- Serves as the Probation Services subject matter expert by managing and evaluating the daily operations of probation services in order to anticipate trends and training needs, supervision of staff and coordination of work activities, creating forms and reports as needed.
- Maintains effective working relationships with the judges, criminal justice agencies, law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, defense attorneys, court personnel, treatment agencies, other county agencies, and the public.
- Monitors treatment agencies' compliance with court standards and provides related information to judges and Probation Director.
- Investigates complaints of treatment agency non-compliance and consults with the Director regarding reports to the Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery as appropriate.
- Performs and coordinates Interstate Compact (ICAOS) related responsibilities.
- Visits Court locations on a regular, rotating basis to help facilitate operational and programmatic consistency and uniformity across locations.
- Ensures procedure manuals and training for probation staff are reflective of current regulations, legislative changes and best practices.
- Assists Director in the maintenance and implementation of technology advancement related to probation services.
- Informs and consults with the Director on issues affecting the overall operations of the department.
- Liaises with courts and social service and governmental agencies.
- Manage complex issues, questions, and sensitive situations with discretion and tact.
- Oversees regular case file audits for team members, ensuring compliance with District Court probation standards.
- Responsible for the hiring, payroll, discipline and termination processes for the team.
- Assumes responsibilities of Director of Probation Services in their absence as needed.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
- Bachelor's degree in a related field of study, including but not limited to a social/behavioral sciences degree, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience that demonstrate the ability to perform the essential functions of this position.
- Four years of progressively responsible experience providing probation services with an ability to understand and interpret laws pertaining to Probation Services and communicate with counsel regarding these laws.
- Thorough knowledge of policies, procedures and laws pertaining to the operation of probation services.
- Thorough knowledge of current developments in casework philosophy, methods, practices and counseling techniques.
- Proficiency working with a probation case management system, a court case management system, and other software / computer applications.
- Demonstrated ability to identify needs, implement changes and to evaluate outcomes.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships both within and outside of the Court.
- Ability to lead a team and to plan, delegate, and coordinate work.
- Ability to communicate and express ideas and recommendations effectively both orally and in writing.
- Valid Washington State Driver's license.
- Complete the requirements of middle-management corrections training per WAC 139-10-410 within 6 months of hire.
Desired Qualifications
- Chemical Dependency Professional (CDP) and/or Mental Health Professional (MHP) Certification preferred.
- Experience working with mental health community agencies, support services, treatment programs, housing and resources available to offenders.
- Ability to recognize symptoms of severely and persistent mental illness, mental disability or substance abuse problems and make relevant recommendations based on information obtained.
- Experience with court-ordered mental health treatment.
- Supplemental Information
Selection process: Application materials will be screened for qualifications; the most competitive candidates will be invited for one or more panel interviews. Any employment offer will be contingent upon the results of a criminal background investigation and finger printing.
Additional materials required: A resume, and a letter of interest summarizing how you meet the listed experience, knowledge, skills and abilities for this position.
Work schedule: Regular, working a 40-hour workweek.
The first round of interviews is expected to occur the week of 08/31/2020 via Skype or Zoom.
If you have any questions regarding this position, please call Travis McKinnon at 206-263-1239 or TJMcKinnon@kingcounty.gov.
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
- Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
- Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
- Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
- 10 paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
- Generous vacation and paid sick leave
- Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
- Flexible Spending Account
- Wellness programs
- Onsite gyms and activity centers
- Employee giving program
- Employee assistance programs
- Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
- Training and career development programs
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.