JOB TITLE: PAROLE AGENT 2

JOB CODE: 46040

SERIES NATURE OF WORK: The Parole Agent job series describes work involving the supervision or counseling of probationers and parolees or inmates.

DEFINITION: This is professional work in the supervision of probationers and parolees in the state probation and parole system or professional parole counseling of inmates (offenders) preparing for release from a correctional institution.

An employee in this job is responsible for the supervision or counseling of offenders to foster personal, social and economic adjustment into the community. There is an element of physical danger in working with offenders who have demonstrated anti-social behavior and may be experiencing mental or chemical dependency problems. An employee in this job has arrest powers. Work is performed in accordance with agency procedures and state laws, and is reviewed through observation, conferences, and review of reports and recommendations.

• In a field setting, work involves supervising a caseload, presenting evidence and testifying at violation hearings, conducting a variety of investigations, identifying offenders with new criminal charges and determining the appropriate course of action, and ensuring offender compliance with paroling conditions. Work also involves assisting offenders with their transition back into the community through the development and implementation of individualized re-entry plans; arresting offenders for probation or parole violations; and interacting with correctional institution personnel, social services agencies, employers, and friends and families of offenders.

• In a correctional institution, work involves interviewing, advising and counseling offenders/inmates on the parole process, initiating pre-parole investigation requests, notifying inmates of pre-parole investigation results and paroling decisions, monitoring and reporting violations for constructive parole and special probation or parole cases, and coordinating various hearings with Board staff, witnesses, attorneys, inmates, and correctional facility superintendents.

   DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

     • Work is differentiated from the trainee-level work described in the Parole Agent 1 job by independently performing the full range of duties related to the supervision or counseling of offenders and the associated case management responsibilities.

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.):

• Monitors activities of offenders to ensure compliance with parole or probation conditions.

• Assesses offender treatment needs, identifies community resources, and schedules appointments for offenders to receive assistance in areas, such as employment, education, treatment, and finance.

• Conducts investigations to obtain factual information and physical evidence to determine if parole or probation violations have occurred and to establish a proper course of action.

• Presents oral and written evidence at violation hearings.

• Maintains and documents contact with families, friends, employers, clergy, and other persons concerned with aiding offenders in their adjustment into the community.

• Makes arrests for probation or parole violations and transports violators to correctional facilities.

• Counsels inmates to help foster behavior that will aid in their release on probation or parole.

• Researches case histories, investigates inmates’ institutional adjustments and develops re-entry plans.

• Monitors offenders’ progress with regard to the re-entry plan and makes adjustments to the plan as necessary.

• Prepares and organizes materials and documentation for various hearings.

• Provides input to appropriate Board staff regarding parole or re-parole considerations.

• Makes recommendations to the courts regarding the continuation or revocation of an offender’s special probation or parole.

• Advises inmates of parole opportunities, Board policy, parole conditions, the necessity of a parole plan, and encourages them to seek help from parole office staff.

• Provides assistance and guidance to inmates in developing a suitable home plan.

• Presents behavioral, educational, family, employment and parole education training to offenders.

• Serves as a liaison between offenders and community service providers, employers, educational institutions, and treatment providers.

• Secures urine samples from offenders for urinalysis testing.

• Operates a motor vehicle.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the principles, methods, and practices of probation and parole work.

• Knowledge of the principles of criminology and penology.

• Knowledge of individual and group behavior of persons who have been involved in delinquent or criminal activities.

• Knowledge of interview techniques used to obtain information from individuals.

• Knowledge of social and economic resources available to offenders released on probation or parole.

• Knowledge of counseling methods and techniques.

• Ability to read, interpret and analyze written material.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to operate a motor vehicle.

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

• Successful completion of the Parole Agent 1 training period;

or

• Prior experience in a Commonwealth Parole Agent 2 or Parole Supervisor job title with attainment of regular civil service status.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• All positions require possession of an active non-commercial Pennsylvania Class C driver’s license or equivalent.

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