Principal Probation Officer - Jefferson County

TARGET CLOSE DATE:

08/15/2025

PAY GRADE:

Grade 27

TYPE:

Full time

JOB SUMMARY:

Jefferson County is seeking a Principal Probation Officer to oversee departmental probation services and supervise probation staff. This role involves managing administrative functions, participating in policy development, reviewing reports and caseload data, and leading internal training programs. The Principal Probation Officer also monitors departmental budgets, provides performance feedback, and participates in disciplinary processes as needed. Work is performed in both office and courtroom settings.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

Jefferson County provides competitive pay and comprehensive benefits packages to include medical and dental insurance, employer-sponsored retirement plan (pension), generous paid holidays, sick and vacation leave, and more. The pay range for this job is listed below:

Jefferson County $68,494 - $106,246

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

The following are job-related qualifications that are required for employment consideration for this position:

• Driver’s license.

• Juvenile Probation Officer (JPO) certification.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

• Aged 21 or older.

• No felony convictions or misdemeanors involving force, violence, or immorality.

• Experience managing a caseload to include activities such as scheduling meetings, meeting with clients, and completing documentation.

• Experience in a supervisory role in which you were accountable for the performance and work product of staff including approving time off, conducting performance appraisals, disciplining, and providing feedback.

• Experience interpreting and applying laws, rules, and regulations such as administrative orders, human resource policies, or the Alabama Codes.

• Willing to submit to a criminal background check.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

The following are job-related qualifications deemed desirable by Jefferson County. These qualifications may be considered by the hiring agency when reviewing applications and inviting candidates to participate in subsequent steps in the selection processes.

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, criminal justice, psychology, social and behavioral sciences, or a related field.

• Experience working as a Juvenile Probation Officer for 2 years or more.

• Experience working within the Alabama Rules of Juvenile or Criminal Procedures.

• Experience or training in managing conflict.

TYPICAL JOB DUTIES:

• Collaborates with probation/intake staff, departments and agencies, and community resources to ensure information is communicated between relevant parties.

• Engages in activities designed to ensure professional development, awareness of developments in the field, and knowledge of relevant practices, rules, laws, policies, and/or guidelines.

• Monitors program compliance for staff, vendors, and contract services to ensure that the department is meeting its legal obligations.

• Prepares reports by compiling data from staff and other departments to provide and maintain up-to-date information for programs, services, etc.

• Supervises staff by assigning and distributing work, directing staff in their job duties, monitoring the progress of work, and providing feedback and/or training.

• Participates in the development of policies and procedures for the department to ensure policies and procedures are up-to-date and reflect the latest research and best practices.

• Guarantees all probation/intake staff are in compliance with applicable laws, guidelines, policies, and procedures to avoid legal issues.

• Collaborates with staff in regards to the file databases and analyzing case file statistics and information to ensure that the data is accurate and reliable.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Job is primarily sedentary involving sitting for long periods of time, but may involve occasional walking or standing for brief periods.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is conducted both indoors in an office setting as well as in court room settings. Work involves use of standard office equipment, such as computer, phone, copier, etc.

EEO STATEMENT:

The Personnel Board of Jefferson County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment with the Personnel Board of Jefferson County, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.  Each Merit System member city/agency operate its own equal employment opportunity policies available on the individual city/agency website.

ACCOMMODATION:

NOTE:

This job posting may close before, or be extended beyond, the listed Target Close Date based on the employment needs of the Merit System. More detail regarding this job is available by clicking Apply.

DISCLAIMER:

This job posting is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of the job duties, responsibilities, or skills and abilities required to do the job and may be changed at the discretion of the Personnel Board at any time.