JOB TITLE: PAROLE SUPERVISOR

JOB CODE: 46110

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 supervisory parole work in a district office, sub-office or institutional parole office of the state probation and parole system.

An employee in this job is responsible for supervising parole agents and other technical or clerical support staff. Work also includes assisting management staff with administration of the Board’s programs, such as determining the nature of case supervision to be exercised over parolees and probationers, or the analysis of inmate information to determine suitability for parole. There is an element of physical danger involved in working with prison inmates or probationers and parolees (offenders). An employee in this job has arrest powers. Work is reviewed for conformity to probation and parole board policy, procedures and regulations, with periodic conferences held to discuss unusual cases and the work in general. Work is performed under general supervision.

• Work in a district office or sub-office involves the supervision of parole agents and clerical staff to include ensuring that proper case management of probationers and parolees is accomplished, sanctions for minor violations of parole conditions are issued, arrests and hearings are conducted as necessary, and that proper controls and records are maintained.

• Work in an institutional parole office involves supervising parole agents and technical or clerical staff, reviewing the preparation of detailed case summaries of offenders/inmates, monitoring the counseling of inmates to ensure general rehabilitation and successful adjustment to parole, and overseeing preparation of parole plans.

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.):

• Supervises and coordinates the work of parole agents and support staff.

• Assists in planning, organizing, and directing a district office, sub-office, or institutional office’s program of probation and parole supervision and related investigations.

• Assists with the development and implementation of Board policies, procedures and regulations.

• Provides guidance and assistance to parole agents in the preparation of cases to be used in the prosecution of violations in the hearing process.

• Conducts administrative conferences on parole violators to determine appropriate sanctions.

• Assists parole agents with the apprehension and arrest of offenders who have violated the conditions of their probation or parole.

• Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with individuals and agencies concerned with parolees' rehabilitation as well as staff of correctional facilities and local law enforcement.

• Conducts periodic conferences with parole agents to review the management of cases and adherence to Board policies and procedures.

• Determines the nature and method of supervision to be exercised by a parole agent over an offender.

• Promotes the volunteer citizen program through encouraging agents to recruit volunteers, providing orientation and training to all persons interested in being volunteers, and scheduling and attending volunteer citizen meetings.

• Determines whether a parolee or probationer should be incarcerated after discussion with the parole agent regarding violations of conditions of parole or violations of the law and issues an arrest warrant, if justified, in the absence of a District Director.

• Prepares or supervises the preparation of summaries of inmates’ social history, institutional adjustments, and potential for successful parole.

• Conducts individual and group counseling sessions with inmates to familiarize them with the parole process and the conditions of parole.

• Evaluates disciplinary reports from institutional staff regarding paroled inmates awaiting release and, if warranted, recommends that parole be suspended.

• Conducts internal investigations on complaints received or violations of the Board Code of Conduct, State Ethics Act, Probation and Parole Act, and the Civil Service Act.

• Provides input concerning the need for additional equipment, supplies or staff.

• Directs the preparation and maintenance of records and reports.

• Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

• Employees in this job may participate in the performance of subordinates’ work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

• Operates a motor vehicle as needed.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of casework principles and practices.

• 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 and investigation methods and 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):

• Three years as a Parole Agent 2 (Commonwealth Job Title);

or

• Three years and six months of professional experience in casework or counseling of offenders, auditing of offender caseloads, or investigation, in probation, parole, corrections, or a law enforcement agency;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

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.