01/18/2001 46197

SEXUAL OFFENDERS ASSESSMENT BOARD INVESTIGATOR

DEFINITION: This is professional investigative work conducting pre-sentencing investigations and preparing case summaries on the criminal and behavioral background of persons convicted of sexually violent offenses.

An employee in this class is responsible for conducting pre- sentencing investigations of persons convicted of sexually violent offenses for the State Sexual Offenders Assessment Board. Work involves background investigations of convicted sexual felons to compile case histories for use by the Board Members in
evaluating offenders for designation as violent sexual predators. Work includes face-to-face interviews with defendants and their victims of violent sexual crimes and with a wide variety of criminal justice practitioners such as institutional personnel, police departments, district attorneys, county court staff, social service agencies, counselors, employers, and friends and family members of convicted sexual offenders to secure information for the preparation of comprehensive case summaries. Work is reviewed by an administrative supervisor through discussions, meetings, status reports, conferences, and review of case summaries.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Conducts pre-sentence investigations to gather information on convicted sexual offenders to prepare comprehensive case summaries for consideration by the State Sexual Offenders Assessment Board.

Interviews defendants, crime victims, police officers, county court officers, district attorneys, county crisis intervention and social service officials, employers, and sexual offender's family and friends, to compile information used in the assessment process by Board Members and Assessment Team Members.

Gathers, organizes and summarizes information concerning the sexual offender's prior criminal record, sexual and other offenses, psychiatric and/or behavioral history, addictions, physical or mental disabilities, and demonstrated patterns of abuse.

Prepares comprehensive reports of investigations for the Board Members.

Travels over a wide geographic area to complete investigations and gather information.

Conducts other special investigations and prepares written reports as requested by the Board or Executive Director.

Employees in this class may participate in the performance of their subordinates' work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of modern principles of criminology and penology.

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

Knowledge of the common practices and responsibilities of organizations within the criminal justice system including the police, courts, and prisons.

Knowledge of community social and economic resources, with emphasis on factors relating to crime and delinquency.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Ability to conduct investigations on sensitive issues.

Ability to comprehend and summarize case histories and behavioral information, and present such information in a comprehensive and concise manner for evaluation and assessment by others.

Ability to interview and work effectively with emotional, psychologically disturbed or maladjusted individuals.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals, agencies, and institutions.

Ability to make clear and pertinent statements, orally and in writing and to prepare thorough, clear, and concise reports.

Ability to interact with victims of sexual crimes, especially children, with compassion and understanding.

Ability to travel extensively throughout the Commonwealth to gather data and conduct interviews.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Two years of professional experience in victims assistance, social welfare case work, law enforcement, or probation/parole which included six months of investigation of sexually violent crimes, sex crime counseling work or sex offender parole supervision and a bachelor's degree.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Possession of a valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania driver's license.