JOB TITLE: PAROLE COMMUNICATIONS OPERATOR

JOB CODE: 46021

SERIES NATURE OF WORK: The Parole Communications job series describes work involving the monitoring, receipt, and transmittal of information.

DEFINITION: This is specialized work in receiving, interpreting, transmitting, and coordinating parole supervision communications and activities in the PA Board of Probation and Parole.

An employee in this job responds to messages received through various electronic means in the twenty-four hour Parole Communications Center. Work involves receiving, prioritizing, and determining appropriate responses to incoming communications including urgent or emergency messages; relaying messages and other communications to parole supervision staff; and evaluating alert data concerning potential violations by offenders subject to electronic monitoring and initiating appropriate actions in accordance with Board procedures. Work includes operating and monitoring two-way radios, Board and Department of Corrections applications on personal computers, the Commonwealth Law Enforcement Assistance Network/National Crime Information Center (CLEAN/NCIC) and Justice Network (JNET) terminals, telephones, and facsimile machines. An employee in this job is assigned to one of several shifts to ensure continuous operation of the Parole Communications Center. Work is performed independently within established CLEAN/NCIC and Board policies and procedures.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.):

• Reviews and interprets electronic monitoring data on offenders placed on radio frequency (RF) or Global Positioning System (GPS) monitoring and initiates courses of action depending on the level of the violation in accordance with established protocols.

• Notifies parole supervision staff via telephone or email of matters that require action or coordination, such as offender electronic monitoring violations, offenders that have been arrested, and prisoners requiring transportation.

• Responds to telephone calls from field staff, offenders, family members, crime victims, the public, and law enforcement agencies on the Board's emergency telephone number, and contacts other Board staff to inform them of situations requiring immediate action.

• Receives telephone calls reporting critical incidents involving Board employees and in accordance with established Board procedure, immediately notifies appropriate senior staff so that critical incident procedures can be implemented.

• Receives messages on the CLEAN/NCIC terminal and responds to requests for confirmation of active Board wanted notices on parole absconders that have been apprehended by law enforcement agencies both within and outside the Commonwealth.

• Receives Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) fingerprint notifications advising an offender/parolee has been arrested in another jurisdiction and follows-up to verify the offender’s location and status.

• Prepares Board warrants and transmits via facsimile to other law enforcement agencies that have apprehended an offender/parole absconder or arrested a supervised offender on new criminal charges.

• Completes wanted person notices in the CLEAN/NCIC system using information contained in Board records for offenders that have absconded from Community Corrections Centers and other facilities.

• Deletes wanted person notices in the CLEAN/NCIC system after absconders have been apprehended.

• Obtains criminal history records and vehicle registration information in response to requests from Board staff.

• Routes offender State Intermediate Punishment notifications to the Office of Victim Advocate and updates an internet-based crime victim notification system.

• Routes Pennsylvania State Police arrest notifications, Megan's Law registrations, FBI fingerprint analysis notifications, out-of-state offender State Identification Number (SID) assignments, NCIC Hit confirmation requests/responses, and JNET notifications to appropriate offices and personnel.

• Maintains an electronic log of all Parole Communications Center activities that occurred on the employee's shift.

• Participates in annual Parole Communications Center relocation drills.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of office communications equipment.

• Knowledge of standard office practices and procedures.

• Ability to operate a personal computer and related software.

• Ability to read and interpret written material, such as laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities.):

• Two years of clerical experience;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:

• All employees must obtain CLEAN and JNET certification within three months of employment and maintain these certifications for the duration of employment in this job.