DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS: This is a one-year traineeship used to appoint individuals to an entry-level Probation Officer 1 (Spanish Speaking) position in a probation department responsible for the care of adults and juveniles subject to probation supervision or intake services which require them to meet certain standards of conduct and whose primary language is Spanish thereby requiring the probation supervision and/or intake services to be communicated in Spanish. A Probation Officer 1 Trainee (Spanish Speaking) performs all the duties and exercises all the responsibilities of a Probation Officer 1 Trainee; however, he/she does so in Spanish. A Probation Officer 1 Trainee (Spanish Speaking) is responsible for participating in a continuous in-service training program regarding the investigative, supervision, counseling and coaching duties and responsibilities of a Probation Officer 1 (Spanish Speaking) and, under close and on-going supervision, performs such duties and exercises such responsibilities in a limited nature. Probation Officer 1 Trainee (Spanish Speaking) work is performed under the direct supervision of a probation professional.  Upon successful completion of the one-year traineeship the incumbent is appointed to the position of Probation Officer 1 (Spanish Speaking) without further examination.  A Probation Officer 1 Trainee (Spanish Speaking) is a Peace Officer pursuant to Criminal Procedure Law Section 2.10 and may be authorized to carry a firearm in the performance of his/her duties. The incumbent will perform all related duties as required.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, ABILITIES, AND PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS: Good knowledge of grammar, vocabulary, syntax and pronunciation in Spanish; working knowledge of interviewing and investigative techniques and practices related to probation work; working knowledge of laws pertaining to probation work and the functions and procedures of family and criminal courts; working knowledge of methods of differential supervision of probationers including the application of cognitive behavioral interventions and motivational techniques; working knowledge of effective assessment, case planning and management; working knowledge of special offender populations such as domestic violence offenders, sex offenders, DWI offenders, youthful offenders, juvenile offenders, Persons in Need of Supervision and juvenile delinquents; working knowledge of juvenile and adult risk and needs assessment instruments; working knowledge of the provisions of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations and policies relating to confidentiality of case record information; working knowledge of tools used to monitor compliance with conditions of probation, such as drug and alcohol screenings, DNA collection and electronic monitoring devices; working knowledge of the powers of a Peace Officer; working knowledge of the geography of the jurisdiction employed in; working knowledge of factors related to crime and delinquency; working knowledge of the rules of evidence, arrest laws and custody procedures; working knowledge of social sciences, including sociology, psychology and demography; working knowledge of community resources; working knowledge of employment, training and treatment options available to probationers; working knowledge of firearm safety; skill in the use of firearms where authorized; ability to administer accurate and thorough assessments; ability to understand and follow oral and written instructions; ability to analyze and organize data and prepare records and reports; ability to conduct effective case planning; ability to refer a probationer to the right types of services within the probation department and the broader community; ability to promote and monitor change and take appropriate action to sustain growth or help the probationer initiate appropriate behavioral patterns; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; ability to counsel probationers regarding social, emotional and vocational problems;  ability to understand and interpret complex written technical information including statutes, regulations and operational procedures; ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; ability to administer drug, alcohol testing and collect DNA samples as needed; ability to understand and empathize with the needs and concerns of others; ability to maintain composure and make rational judgments under stressful conditions; ability to speak Spanish at a proficiency level deemed appropriate by the department worked in; ability to safely and effectively use a firearm if so authorized.

OPEN COMPETITIVE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State board of Regents to grant degrees, with a Bachelor’s degree or higher with at least thirty (30) credit hours in the social or behavioral sciences.

PROMOTION QUALIFICATIONS: One (1) year of permanent competitive class service as a Probation Assistant (Spanish Speaking) plus graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the New York State board of Regents to grant degrees, with a Bachelor’s degree or higher with at least thirty (30) credit hours in the social or behavioral sciences.

Special Requirement: Where required, possession of a current driver’s license or the ability to otherwise meet the transportation requirements of the position.

Special Requirement: When considered for appointment a candidate must be able to demonstrate proficiency in Spanish at the level deemed appropriate for the department worked in.  The language proficiency of the permanent appointees will be further evaluated during the post-appointment probationary term.

Note: Social science includes areas of study concerned with humans living in relation to other humans in a social environment and such as anthropology, criminal justice, economics, geography, history, political science, psychology and sociology.

Behavioral science is a subset of social science characterized by observation of the behavior of living organisms and focused on human social behavior such as psychology, sociology, anthropology, counseling, criminal justice, gerontology, human behavior, social work/social welfare and vocational rehabilitation.

Note: Individuals whose duties and responsibilities include the use of a firearm must also complete training pursuant to Criminal Procedure Law Section 2.30(3).

Note: The class specifications including the minimum qualifications for positions in Probation Departments are established by rule and regulations of the Division of Criminal Justice Services. These class specifications are found in Title 9 NYCRR Part 347, Appendix H-10, Standard specifications for Professional Probation Positions.

Note:  This position is allocated to the competitive class pursuant to Executive Law Section 257(1).

IF COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY EDUCATION IS INDICATED; TRANSCRIPTS ARE REQUIRED AND SHOULD BE ATTACHED TO ALL APPLICATIONS RECEIVED.  A CANDIDATE LACKING THE REQUIRED TRANSCRIPTS WILL RECEIVE A CONDITIONAL APPROVAL PENDING THE RECEIPT OF TRANSCRIPTS.

Special Requirement for appointment to Ulster County positions: In accordance with Ulster County Legislative Local Law Number 14 of 2007 or by other State and Federal Statutes, candidates for employment to all Ulster County positions must obtain clearance for appointment from the Department of Criminal Justice System or other mandated Federal and State regulatory authority based upon fingerprinting and a criminal history background check.

ULSTER COUNTY IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, gender, creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, marital status, veteran status, disabled veteran status, or status as a member of any other protected group or activity.