The Putnam County Probation Department is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Probation Assistant.

This is a Competitive position under New York State Civil Service Law. Per NYS Civil Service Law, any appointment to this position will be made on a Provisional basis, pending the future administration of a Civil Service examination.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES: This is a para-professional position in a probation department. Unlike a Probation Officer 1, a Probation Assistant is not a Peace Officer pursuant to the New York State Criminal Procedure Law. The incumbent is responsible for assisting probation officers in a local probation agency in tasks which may include performing pre-dispositional/pre-trial related duties such as interviewing and screening individuals arrested and/or otherwise not yet adjudicated/sentenced for suitability for pre-trial release, making recommendations for release, monitoring individuals released into the community whose cases are pending; and notifying courts of case status. An incumbent may also serve as a probation department’s point of contact for transfer of records and files with other probation departments, law enforcement agencies or courts. He/she also assists in the control and supervision of probationers by performing tasks such as opening and closing cases; retrieving archived files; delivering documents to law enforcement agencies and the courts; assisting with the collection of financial obligations; and processing intra and interstate transfers. The work is performed under the supervision of a Probation Supervisor 1 or higher-level probation professional in accordance with applicable rules/regulations, statutes and/or policies and procedures as directed by a Probation Director or his/her designee. The incumbent will perform all related duties as required.

SOME TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:

• Interviews individuals in custody of a law enforcement agency to assess their suitability for release from detention pending trial, monitors status of individuals released and notifies courts of their status;
• Assists individuals receiving probation services in completing questionnaires and other documents, and by answering general questions;
• Supports a probation department’s involvement with specialty courts at the direction of a Probation Director or his/her designee which may include gathering Information, conducting drug/alcohol screenings, and contacting victims, law enforcement agencies, human service agencies, treatment providers and other involved parties as necessary;
• Gathers information about individuals receiving probation services from a variety of sources, including but not limited to, public and private human services agencies, law enforcement agencies, courts and employers to verify social and legal histories of probationers;
• Secures information regarding conduct and progress of probationers and helps resolve problems of probationers including problems related to housing, health care, employment, or other essential matters;
• Obtains and forwards documents and information needed by law enforcement agencies and the courts in accordance with applicable regulations and/or statutes as directed by the Probation Director or his/her designee;
• Registers and updates cases by entering data into a database or other electronic file, conducts record checks through local, state, and federal databases where authorized and produces electronic reports as needed;
• Assists with the preparation of written memorandums, correspondence, transfer orders, discharge letters and other documents by gathering and relaying accurate information;
• Records attendance at day reporting;
• Performs a variety of office and/or clerical tasks including answering the phone, photocopying, and creating, filing and maintaining records;
• May perform drug and alcohol screenings and collect DNA samples;
• May prepare files for intra or interstate transfers and prepare and monitor inter/intra state transfers out of the local jurisdiction;
• May provide employment preparedness assessments and employment related training and assistance.
• Performs a variety of related activities as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university or one accredited by the Board of Regents to grant degrees, with an Associate’s degree or higher in criminal justice, human services, chemical dependency counseling, business administration, or a closely related field or;
2. Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and two (2) years of experience working with the public in a public or private human services agency or a criminal justice or juvenile justice agency or;
3. An equivalent combination of training and experience as defined by the limits of (a) and (b) above.

PLEASE NOTE: Your degree must have been awarded by a college or university accredited by a regional, national, or specialized agency recognized as an accrediting agency by the U.S. Department of Education/U.S. Secretary of Education.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Possession of a valid, unrestricted, appropriate level driver’s license, and acceptable driving record are required at time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment.

* 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.

Job Type: Full-time, Monday – Friday

Salary Range : $52,071-$62,822 per year (2025)

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

APPLICATION: 

Applications and resumes may be submitted to the Putnam County Personnel Department by mail or email:

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Putnam County Personnel Department

110 Old Route 6, Bldg 3

Carmel NY, 10512