State of Maine

Probation Officers – Region 1 - York and Cumberland Counties

Code: 5270 

Pay Grade: 23 $55,556.80 to $75,753.60 (includes $0.85 stipend) annually

Open: November 20, 2024

Close: December 6, 2024

Maine Department of Corrections (MDOC) is destigmatizing corrections for the betterment of all Maine communities. Through the ‘Maine Model of Corrections’, we promote the safety of our staff and residents while reducing barriers to meaningful rehabilitative opportunities. We facilitate restorative justice practices that equip justice-involved residents and clients with the skills they need to become contributing members of society upon release, including treatment, education, and job training.

MDOC Adult Community Corrections Region 1 is seeking qualified candidates for Probation Officers. Region 1 provides service to York and Cumberland Counties. You must be self-motivated, resourceful, able to work as an integral part of a team, and possess excellent time management, analytical, and interpersonal skills. You will be required to carry a firearm and must complete the Maine Criminal Justice Academy’s firearms qualifications program on a yearly basis.

We are committed to rebuilding lives and are searching for great team players, with a professional attitude and well-developed integrity and ethics, to join us in this mission. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Behavior Sciences, or Social Sciences, or a closely related field (4 years).
• AND-
• Six (6) months experience in probation/parole work, counseling or case management, or law enforcement activities
• OR in lieu of a Bachelor’s Degree-
• At least 4 years and 6 months of equivalent combination of directly related education, experience, and training. 

Responsibilities:

As a Probation Officer, you will

• Supervise and manage clients assigned to MDOC or released to the community;
• Assess clients’ risks and needs;
• Counsel and supervise clients while on probation or other forms of community release;
• Prepare pardon, and pre-sentence investigation reports for the court;
• Perform interstate compact duties and participate in the formulation and oversight of community reentry release plans.

Administrative duties include, but are not limited to, gathering, and entering data into a computer tracking system and providing various reports from this information, so that effective decisions can be made regarding delivery of service.

KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED: 

Knowledge of:

• Maine criminal code and criminal court procedures
• Social service agencies operating in the community
• Investigative practices and techniques
• Motivational interviewing techniques
• Evidence-based principles and practices 

Ability to:

• Counsel adult clients
• Communicate effectively
• Write clearly and effectively
• Apply casework principles, methods, and techniques
• Objectively assess clients and make appropriate decisions
• Administer assessment tools to make individual situational determinations
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships
• Develop adult clients subject matter expertise
• Distinguish between obligation to public safety and responsibility to client
• Act appropriately in stressful situations
• Work without direct supervision
• Control an aggressive person
• Operate a motor vehicle
• Use a laptop or personal computer
• Prepare and maintain detailed records/reports and individual rehabilitation case plans

LICENSING/REGISTRATION/CERTIFCATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Possession of a Class C Maine Driver’s License. 

Application Instructions:

Interested applicants need to apply online by selecting the "Apply for this opening" button along with uploading a cover letter, current resume, and if applicable copies of post-secondary transcripts, licensing, registration, and certifications. 

BENEFITS

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including: 

• Work-Life Balance – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave. 
• Health Insurance Coverage– The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($10,523.28 - $12,380.40 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State. 
• Health Insurance Premium Credit– Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements. 
• Dental Insurance– The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($350.40 annual value). 
• Retirement Plan– The State of Maine contributes 19% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee. 
• Gym Membership Reimbursement– Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense. 
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts– Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses. 
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness– The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office. 
• Living Resources Program – Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.
• Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including fathers and adoptive parents—receive four weeks of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act. 
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation– Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions. 
• Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness. 

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role. As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics. If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Thinking about applying?

Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting. If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.