What are the responsibilities and job description for the Parole Officer position at State of Indiana?
Work for Indiana
Grow your career with the State of Indiana! With more than 50 executive branch agencies, the State of Indiana is a diverse workforce offering employees stimulating and challenging projects across a broad scope of career opportunities. As a State of Indiana employee, you impact the well-being of Indiana’s communities every day.
At the State of Indiana, we don’t just talk about diversity and inclusion - Our goal is to create a welcoming, accessible, and equitable workplace, with a workforce that is representative of the State of Indiana population. As a proud equal opportunity employer, reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process, as well as perform the essential functions of a role.
Next Level benefits at the State of Indiana are here! Be sure to review our expanded benefit package offerings below.
About Indiana Department of Correction Division of Parole Services:
The Division of Parole Services was established within the Indiana Department of Correction in the 1960’s severing its relationship with the State Welfare Department. Parole Services is charged with enhancing public safety by providing community based supervision and services for adult offenders through the use of evidence based practices as they transition from a Correctional Facility to Community Supervision. Parole Services Division operates out of ten district offices located across the State.
Salary:
The salary for this position traditionally starts at $53,222.00 but may be commensurate with education or work experience.
A Day in the Life:
The essential functions of this role are as follows:
- Completes an initial Risk Assessment and a Re-entry Accountability Plan for each offender. Subsequent Re-entry Accountability Plans are required by policy;
- Maintains and provides accurate electronic and written records concerning all aspects of the supervision of assigned parolees, on a regular and ad hoc basis;
- Communicates with parolees and completes subsequent case notes as required, and as dictated by the risk assessment at a work site, home, office, or other location;
- Monitors a parolee’s movement, housing, employment, and other services, including for registered sex offenders;
- Provides counseling services to offenders transitioning back into the community, including direction and assistance in securing employment, schooling, training and/or housing for offenders leaving the custody of the department;
- Promotes and develops community resources for offender programs and treatment and maintain records of community resources;
- Conducts community-based investigations for clemency and parole, including parole violations, per Departmental and State laws and procedures. This may include apprehension of offenders who have violated the conditions of parole;
- Serves as an expert witness/subject matter expert in various legal proceedings and hearings;
- Holds probable cause hearings, administer drug/alcohol screenings to offenders, and promotes and develops community resources;
- Responds to emergency contacts on a 24 hour/7 days per week basis;
- Transports or assists in the transportation of offenders to departmental facilities.
The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time.
What You'll Need for Success:
The ideal candidate in this role should minimally have
- a High School Diploma or HSE diploma, and
- at least 4 years of experience applying the below, outlined knowledge, skills, and abilities in a similar role.
Related certifications and coursework may be considered for education or experience.
- Broad knowledge of the laws, rules, departmental policy, and procedures concerning the supervision of paroled offenders;
- Working knowledge of community-based resources (education, employment, counseling, rehabilitation, etc.) to aid in the parolee's transition;
- Extensive problem-solving abilities as it relates to case management;
- Ability to accurately assess an offender’s risk level, as well as report signs of illness and inappropriate behavior;
- Ability to conduct a thorough and accurate investigation into a parolee's activities, including community investigation;
- Ability to develop and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with all parolees as well as their families, employers, and program providers. This includes cooperative relationships with local law enforcement, judges, and other local officials for effective parolee reintegration;
- Strong critical thinking skills and the ability to apply as needed;
- This person must satisfy the following requirements for employment:
- Must test negative on all drug screenings;
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Upon hire, must qualify for and maintain firearm certification as well as carry a firearm in the performance of duties. This includes successful completion of Parole Academy as part of initial onboarding.
Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:
Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:
The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:
- Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
- Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
- Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
- Flexible work scheduling options, including the potential for hybrid remote work for employees whose work may be performed outside state facilities
- Deferred compensation 457B account (similar to 401k plan) with employer match
- Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
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A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
- 150 hours of paid new parent leave
- Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
- Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
- 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
- Education Reimbursement Program
- Group life insurance
- Referral Bonus program
- Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
- Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
- Free Parking for most positions
- Free LinkedIn Learning access
Equal Employment Opportunity:
The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruit, select, develop, and promote employees based on individual ability and job performance. Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunity to all people in all aspects of employer-employee relations without discrimination because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or veteran status. We will comply with the spirit as well as the letter of all applicable state and federal laws.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at jobs@spd.IN.gov.
The State of Indiana has established a culture that welcomes equity, inclusion, and opportunity for all employees and applicants. We encourage you to apply if you feel you have the transferrable skills to be successful in this position and we look forward to reviewing your application.