The Putnam County Probation Department is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Probation Officer I Trainee (Spanish-Speaking).

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 administration of a Civil Service examination on JUNE 28, 2025.

Applicants MUST ALSO APPLY TO THE EXAMINATION: putnam.munisselfservice.com/employmentopportunities

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES: This is a one-year traineeship position used to appoint individuals to an entry-level Probation Officer, Probation Officer (Spanish-Speaking) or Probation Officer (Community Liaison) 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 not the English language thereby requiring the probation investigation, supervision, or intake services to be communicated in Spanish. A Probation Officer 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 and, under close and on-going supervision, performs such duties and exercises such responsibilities in a limited nature; however, he/she does so using Spanish. When a Probation Officer Trainee (Spanish Speaking) participates in a traineeship for a Probation Officer (Spanish-Speaking) or a Probation Officer (Community Liaison) position, he/she is required to satisfy the additional requirements for these positions and be capable to learn the specialized work they perform. Probation Officer 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 or specified parenthetical without further examination. A Probation Officer 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. Performs related work as required.

SOME TYPICAL WORK ACTIVITIES:

• Participates in an in-service training program regarding the investigation, supervision, counseling and coaching duties and responsibilities of a Probation Officer and develops goals and objectives to ensure the successful completion of the training program;
• Under the direct supervision of a probation professional, gathers, verifies, reviews and analyzes social, medical, mental health, substance abuse, sex offender, legal and other documentation and by interviewing defendants/respondents, victims, law enforcement personnel and other case related individuals to conduct pre-plea/pre-sentence/pre-disposition investigations;
• Under the direct supervision of a probation professional, prepares reports regarding persons awaiting disposition of the courts;
• Under the direct supervision of a probation professional, conducts risk and need assessments and evaluating results for pre-trial, investigation, and supervision purposes;
• Under the direct supervision of a probation professional, promotes risk reduction by providing direction and support to help the probationer change factors that promote and maintain delinquent behavior;
• Coaches probationers to select new patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving and develop new attitudes and skills which help sustain a constructive and law-abiding relationship with the broader community and reduce the likelihood of becoming re-involved in criminal or delinquent behavior;
• Under the direct supervision of a probation professional, prepares progress reports on probationers and periodically reviews case histories to determine the degree of adjustment;
• Under the direct supervision of a probation professional, prepares a final case report once a case is closed;
• Performs a variety of related activities as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree or higher with at least thirty (30) credit hours in the social or behavioral sciences.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT for Probation Officer (Spanish Speaking) Traineeship: 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 Spanish language proficiency of the permanent appointees will be further evaluated during the post-appointment probationary term.

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

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.

Close cultural association is defined as involvement in cultural activities, or cultural groups, or participation in advocacy groups, or involvement in religious or political groups or organizations. Work or volunteer experience that involves supervision or case management of minority persons is not considered as close cultural association for the purposes of meeting these minimum qualifications.

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

* 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: $65,573 - $84,489 per year (2025)

Benefits:

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

APPLICATION:

Those interested must apply for the upcoming civil service examination by MAY 7, 2025.

Exam Announcement

Follow the link below to apply:

putnam.munisselfservice.com/employmentopportunities

Please call or email the Putnam County Personnel Department at (845) 808-1650 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions.

PUTNAM COUNTY – AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER