JOB TITLE: CHIEF PAROLE HEARING OFFICER

JOB CODE: 46310

DEFINITION: This is quasi-judicial managerial work in directing the adjudication of parole hearings and conducting parole interviews within the Parole Board.

The employee in this job is responsible for directing and managing the statewide operations of Parole Hearing Officers engaged in conducting all parole hearings, interviews, recommendations, and determinations in accordance with applicable laws and policies governing the disposition of parole cases. Work involves developing and recommending modifications to agency policy regarding the parole hearing process, evaluating Board efficiency in the area of parole hearing operations, recommending policy modifications to ensure compliance with legal statutes and current case law, and implementing policy in accordance with Board mandates. Work also involves serving as the chief advisor to the Chairman of the Board, Board Secretary, and Chief Counsel for all elements of the parole hearing process. Work includes supervision of a Deputy Chief Parole Hearing Officer and Parole Hearing Officers. Work is performed independently within a broad framework of case law, administrative directives, regulations, and Board policies. Supervision is provided directly by the Chairman, and indirectly by the Board Secretary and Chief Counsel, through periodic reviews of work for conformance with established laws, policies, and procedures; and for program effectiveness.

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)

• Plans, organizes, and directs parole hearing office operations to include workflow, staffing and equipment needs, and coordination of Parole Hearing Officer schedules.

• Formulates and implements policies related to the parole hearing process.

• Serves as the advisor to the Chairman of the Board, Board Secretary, and Chief Counsel for all issues related to the parole hearing process.

• Determines the effectiveness of parole hearing operations and individual Parole Hearing Officer performance to ensure rules, regulations, policies, and procedures are being followed.

• Conducts administrative due process hearings, including preliminary and violation hearings, detention and revocation hearings, as well as victim input hearings.

• Conducts parole consideration interviews and reviews with inmates at state and county correctional institutions, and re-parole interviews with inmates who have violated parole and have been recommitted to serve a specific period of incarceration.

• Travels to various county and state correctional institutions and other Board offices to conduct parole hearings and interviews, and to observe and evaluate operations.

• Plans and oversees the development of training for Parole Hearing Officers to ensure consistency of recommendations and decision making and conformance to all Board policies.

• Attends regularly scheduled meetings with the Chairman and Board Members to ensure that the direction of the Board is being followed.

• Researches legal precedents and maintains active awareness of current case law and Board policy, procedures, rules, and regulations that may impact parole decisions.

• Maintains cooperative relationships with prison officials, attorneys, Board staff, and other appropriate parties and agencies.

• Performs the full range of supervisory functions.

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

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of individual and group behavior, with special emphasis on behavior deviations of persons who have been involved in delinquent or criminal activities.

• Knowledge of the criminal and civil justice system, with emphasis on penal, correctional, and rehabilitation programs for delinquent and criminal individuals.

• Knowledge of interviewing procedures and techniques.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of employee supervision.

• Ability to analyze and interpret evidence presented at hearings.

• Ability to analyze and interpret laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective professional relationships.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: (NOTE: These are expected of an employee performing the work of this job at the full performance level. These are not used for merit system evaluation or examination purposes and are not position-specific performance standards.)

• Knowledge of the best practices for managing statewide parole hearing and interview operations.

• Knowledge of the process for formulating detailed and technical policies and procedures.

• Knowledge of administrative law procedures with emphasis on procedural rules, hearing etiquette, and facilitation.

• Ability to evaluate and analyze all evidence presented at a hearing to obtain a clear, concise concept of the issues involved.

• Ability to evaluate reports by parole hearing officers for their compliance with legal time limits and quality of judgments and recommendations.

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

• One year as a Deputy Chief Parole Hearing Officer (commonwealth title);

or

• Eight years of professional experience in parole, probation, or criminal justice dealing with persons involved in criminal or delinquent activities or programs concerned with such individuals, including one year in a supervisory capacity; and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, social work, or a closely related field;

or

• Eight years of professional experience in parole, probation, criminal justice, or social work dealing with persons involved in criminal or delinquent activities, or programs concerned with such individuals, including one year in a supervisory capacity; and four years of paraprofessional experience in criminal justice or social work;

or

• Five years of professional experience in parole, probation, or criminal justice dealing with persons involved in criminal activity or delinquent activities or programs concerned with such individuals, including one year in a supervisory capacity; and graduation with a law degree from a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training which includes one year of professional supervisory experience in parole, probation, or criminal justice dealing with persons involved in criminal or delinquent activities or programs concerned with such individuals.