Probation Counselor I
Location: Arlington, VA
Job Number: 9302-24B-DHS-BH
Salary: $66,019.20 - $100,755.20
Closing Date: February 8, 2024
The Department of Human Services’ (DHS) Client Services Entry (CSE) Bureau is hiring a full-time Probation Counselor I for the Community Corrections Unit (CCU), which provides adult probation and rehabilitative services for Arlington County and the City of Falls Church. The CCU provides sentencing alternative sanction programs, substance abuse testing, education, and treatment, including supervising community service sanctions. By utilizing a network of County and areawide services, court-referred offenders are provided appropriate education, training, and treatment to enable them to become productive functional members of the community. This position will assist clients placed on the Behavioral Health Docket.
Specific duties include:
Meeting and consulting with clients, family members of clients, psychologists, counselors, and other concerned agencies;
Administering actuarial-based risk assessments to determine risk of re-offense and failure to report to court;
Conducting various investigations of cases including social and legal history while monitoring clients’ conduct in the community and notifying the Court of new arrests and/or violations of probation;
Attending court hearings, evaluating disposition of cases, keeping probation records up to date, and monitoring court costs and restitution payments by clients;
Developing, monitoring, and referring treatment/probation plans by utilizing risk/need assessment tools;
Obtaining, preparing, monitoring and reviewing progress reports, plans, and counseling activities for clients;
Maintaining familiarity with probation policies, procedures, community resources, and treatment programs;
Adhering to guidelines regarding supervision of probation cases and preparing appropriate legal documents and/ or reports for court;
Utilizing electronic databases and related software applications such as CAIS, Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN), Judicial Information System and VINE Link; and
Applying and understanding Evidence-Based Practices (EBP) such as role clarifications, risk needs responsibility model and EBP problem solving/cognitive training.
Arlington County DHS is committed to delivering client services in an effective, equitable, respectful, and trauma-informed manner. Our staff is dedicated to ensuring our clients are approached, engaged and cared for in ways that demonstrate competency, sensitivity and awareness of factors which impact the client experience including but not limited to: cultural identity, gender, racial, and ethnic diversity, religious/spiritual ascription, physical capability, cognitive and literacy levels, sexual orientation, and linguistic needs.
Selection Criteria
Minimum:
Bachelor's degree in psychology, sociology, criminal justice, or related field; and
Some experience in working in probation, correctional, general social casework, or related fields which pertain to an adult population.
Substitution: Additional experience may be substituted for education.
Desirable: Preference may be given to candidates with one or more of the following:
Experience utilizing a case management database and Windows-based computer applications;
Experience working in a correctional system (State or Federal) interacting with clients who have various mental health diagnoses and substance abuse disorders;
Experience working in and navigating the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Court System;
Experience providing mental health or substance abuse counseling along with general case management services; and/or
Experience navigating probation and/or criminal investigations in adult correctional systems.
