Probation Officer Supervisor

Starting Compensation:

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Job Description:

JOB SUMMARY

• This supervisory position oversees all pre-sentence pretrial operations, including investigations, intake, supervision, compliance monitoring, DUI Repeat Offender Program duties, electronic/alcohol monitoring, and violation processing.
• The Supervisor ensures consistent application of pretrial procedures, staff performance, correct use of monitoring technology, timely reporting to the Court, and effective supervision of defendants released pending disposition.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

• This position reports directly to the Special Supervision Division Director within Adult Probation and Parole Services.
• Five Pre-Trail Services Specialists report to this position.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• 60% – Staff Supervision and Case Oversight
• The Supervisor oversees Pretrial Specialists and Senior Specialists responsible for determining defendants’ eligibility in the pretrial release programs, DUI Repeat Offender Program supervision, electronic and alcohol monitoring, and ongoing supervision of defendants released pending trial. This includes assigning caseloads and perform caseload audits to ensure consistent standards for office visits, field contacts, home checks, curfew verification, employment and address checks, drug testing, and court‑date confirmation.
• The Supervisor directs screenings and interviews of detained defendants, including DUI‑related assessments, to determine eligibility for pretrial release. Responsibilities include reviewing and approving the installation and documentation of monitoring equipment used for house arrest, GPS, and SCRAM, radio‑frequency devices, and establishing breathalyzer and drug‑testing baselines. Review invoices regarding equipment used and services provided by vendors and approve for payment.
• The Supervisor ensures daily review of monitoring alerts related to alcohol use, tampers, temperature variations, curfew violations, and loss‑of‑signal events, and oversees home suitability assessments for electronic monitoring. Additional duties include reviewing and approving violation reports, petitions, and Court hearing schedules, as well as supporting staff testimony when required. The Supervisor provides guidance on complex cases, including DUI repeat offenders and higher‑risk defendants, and ensures accurate case records, statistical reports, and submissions to relevant committees.
• 15% – Program and Policy Coordination
• The Supervisor assists in developing and implementing pretrial policies, procedures, and monitoring protocols, including those specific to DUI supervision. The Supervisor ensures that all pretrial policies, procedures, supervision strategies, and monitoring protocols align with nationally recognized best practices in pretrial services, including evidence-based decision-making and risk-informed supervision.
• This includes coordinating with courts, prison personnel, attorneys, law enforcement, treatment providers, and monitoring vendors to ensure efficient communication and case progression. The Supervisor is responsible for providing accurate pretrial and intake statistics and trends to the Prison Population Reduction Committee monitoring budget elements associated with pretrial service functions.
• 10% – Performance Management
• The Supervisor approves leave requests, conducts formal performance evaluations, and provides ongoing coaching, corrective action, and professional development for assigned staff. Additional responsibilities include participating in the selection, hiring, and training of new Pretrial Services personnel.
• 10% – Training and Professional Development
• The Supervisor attends required safety training, monitoring technology training, motivational interviewing and human‑services training related to evidence-based pretrial practices. They ensure that staff maintain proficiency in pretrial investigations, case‑management systems, monitoring equipment, and all DUI‑related protocols required for effective pretrial supervision.
• 5% – Additional Duties
• The Supervisor provides coverage for the unit during staff absences and supports Adult Probation & Parole Services administration with departmental initiatives as needed. The role may also require performing duties historically carried out by the Bail Administrator, depending on operational needs during the transition of Pretrial Services into APPS. 

OTHER SPECIFIC TASKS OR DUTIES

• Coordinate with Deputy Court Administrator – Criminal on bail and pre‑trial statistics, scheduling, and other pre‑trial matters as necessary.
• Participate in a contributory/advisory role with inter-county, community, and state-level organizations/committees.
• As requested, assist APPS administration with departmental development functions.
• Performs related work as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 

• Education requirement is completion of a bachelor’s degree program with course work in psychology, social work, criminal justice or closely related field; two years of experience in pretrial services, probation/parole, corrections, or related field; supervisory experience preferred; or any combination of the minimum acceptable education and experience which has provided the knowledge, skills and abilities cited above.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of characteristics of individual and group behavior, particularly those involved in criminal activity or presenting pretrial risk factors.
• Knowledge of methods and techniques used in redirecting or supporting individuals pending trial, including strategies that encourage compliance and reduce failure‑to‑appear risk
• Basic knowledge of criminal justice principles, statutes, rules, and procedures related to bail, pretrial release, court requirements, and supervision conditions.
• Ability to learn and apply the specific operations, practices, and procedures of pretrial supervision, including risk assessment, compliance monitoring, court reporting, and resource coordination.
• Ability to communicate effectively with defendants, their families, members of the Judiciary, coworkers, partner agencies, and the public in a pre-sentence context.
• Ability to identify and coordinate community resources that support pretrial defendants (e.g., substance‑use evaluations, mental‑health services, housing stability, transportation to court).
• Ability to plan, document, and carry out all steps necessary to support compliance with court‑ordered conditions, including alcohol/drug testing, electronic monitoring, curfews, treatment requirements, and no‑contact orders.
• Thorough knowledge of supervisory practices and case‑management principles.
• Possess leadership skills and the ability to delegate tasks, support teamwork, and work independently 
• Ability to effectively supervise unit staff, offering guidance, direction, and corrective feedback to maintain efficient and consistent pretrial operations.
• Ability to maintain accurate and complete pretrial case records, monitoring reports, intake documents, petitions, and compliance logs.
• Ability to plan, organize, and manage time with efficiency and effectiveness.
• Ability and willingness to work with people from diverse backgrounds with patience, tolerance, and professional understanding.
• Proficiency in or willingness to learn relevant software applications, as required by job duties.

REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS/CLEARANCES

•  The candidate must pass a criminal background check, a pre-employment drug screen and a driver history check.     

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• This position has been identified as having the potential for exposure to Hepatitis B.  Access to training and a voluntary vaccination against Hepatitis B is provided.
• Ability to sit, sometimes for long periods of time.
• Ability to escort defendants from waiting area to office.
• Ability to operate a computer or laptop.
• Ability to lift and move files weighing up to 10 pounds 
• Ability to affect an arrest of a defendant.
• Ability to defend oneself from personal attack. 
• Ability to provide own transportation to and from offender's homes, meetings, and other job-related appointments in a timely manner and ability to access those locations with reasonable accommodations.

The County of Lancaster offers comprehensive benefits to our employees.  Read more about our benefits here.

Lancaster County Government provides Equal Employment Opportunity for all persons regardless of race, religion, age, sex, national origin, genetic information or disability. The County also observes all applicable laws regarding Veterans status. The County reflects this action in all areas of employment and compensation practices and policies. Employment with the County is based upon the ability to perform the job as well as dependability and reliability once an individual is hired.