The City of Lakewood is dedicated to upholding City values to include: Performance Excellence, Leadership, Respect and Collaboration. Best fit candidates will demonstrate innovation, customer service, dedication, passion and engagement. All people, citizens and employees, will be treated with respect, relevance, and importance. HIRING RANGE: $43.02 - $47.80/hour The Senior Probation Officer manages a full caseload of juvenile and adult offenders and oversees a specialized supervision area. This role requires strong public speaking skills, knowledge of offender behavior and community resources, extensive familiarity with eCourt functions, and program development experience. Under the direction of the Chief Probation Officer, the Senior Probation Officer reviews the accuracy and appropriateness of offender recommendations to the court, assists with implementing eCourt changes, and trains probation staff on system updates. The position may also involve researching and preparing written or oral reports, grants, and projects as assigned. In the Chief Probation Officer’s absence, the Senior Probation/Diversion Officer assumes supervisory responsibilities over Probation staff. The role provides responsive, high quality service to municipal court employees, external agencies, and the public by delivering accurate, complete, and current information in a courteous and efficient manner. Essential
Duties
and
Responsibilities
Incumbent is accountable for all duties of this job and other projects and responsibilities may be added at the City’s discretion. Employees must be able to perform the essential duties of this job with or without a reasonable accommodation. Performs all probation officer duties with a high level of professionalism and effectiveness, requiring minimal supervision, and assists the Chief Probation Officer with additional tasks as needed. Assists with staff training on policies, procedures, resources, sentencing recommendations, risk assessments, and eCourt; supports development of new processes and procedures as laws or sentencing requirements change. Provides written performance feedback on probation staff to the Chief Probation Officer for the Performance Development Review (PRD). Helps oversee specialized programs and serves as a court navigator, connecting offenders with appropriate resources; duties may occur in the jail, in the field, or in an office setting. Manages a large caseload with complex issues under strict legal guidelines while handling frequent interruptions; intervenes in crisis situations involving suicide, domestic violence, runaways, and similar emergencies. Demonstrates ethical behavior and leadership by holding self and others accountable. Maintains regular contact with offenders, families, the public, internal staff, external divisions, partner jurisdictions, and treatment providers. Enhances team effectiveness and leverages internal resources to support high-quality work. Makes timely, effective decisions based on case circumstances, public safety considerations, applicable statutes and ordinances, court procedures, prosecutorial recommendations, judicial guidance, and supervisory direction. Reporting Relationships Supervision Received: General supervision from the Chief Probation Officer. Follows proper chain of command when conducting day-to-day operations. Supervision Exercised: The Probation/Diversion Officer Senior position is responsible for assuming supervisory responsibilities in the absence of the Chief Probation Officer.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Ability to research and prepare written and oral reports, grants, and assignments as requested by the Chief Probation Officer. • Strong communication skills, including the ability to calmly and clearly communicate with angry or frustrated individuals and de‑escalate conflict. • Effective listening skills to gather offender information and case details, with discretion in determining appropriate sentencing recommendations that consider the safety of the offender, victim, and public. • Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding sensitive case information and personnel matters. • Ability to adapt to changing caseloads, regulations, and work conditions, including continual one‑on‑one exposure to low‑ and high‑risk offenders and managing complex caseloads under strict legal guidelines and frequent interruptions. • Ability to make timely, effective decisions without supervision and accept responsibility for those decisions. • Knowledge of relevant federal, state, and City of Lakewood laws related to probation and diversion, including legal terminology, court principles, practices, procedures, guidelines, and departmental rules and regulations. • Public speaking skills to represent the Court in meetings, boards, committees, and other public or private settings. • Ability to serve as a positive role model and interact effectively with offenders, coworkers, and community partners. • Ability to evaluate criminogenic needs, behaviors, and rehabilitation potential and clearly articulate this information to the court. • Strong program knowledge to support program growth and streamline processes. • Ability to make quick and effective decisions based on case circumstances, public safety concerns, statutes, ordinances, court procedures, prosecutorial recommendations, judicial guidance, and supervisory expectations. • Ability to navigate and utilize eCourt and related systems. • Ability to intervene effectively during crisis situations (e.g., suicide, domestic violence, runaways). • Strong ethical judgment and accountability.
Education
and
Experience
Education
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university required (preferably in Criminal Justice or Social Sciences).
Experience
Five years’ experience in the criminal justice system dealing with at-risk populations, juveniles, domestic violence perpetrators and victims. The Senior Probation/Diversion Officer must have experience in high-pressure environment with public speaking as well as specialized training, knowledge or experience with a specific offender population: domestic violence offenders, prostitution, juvenile offenders and/or veterans. Certification/Licenses/Specialized Training Valid driver’s license and good motor vehicle driving record strongly preferred. LIGHT WORK: Exerting up to 30 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work Physical Demands Bend or position self to move items from higher place to lower place or vice versa Sit, stand or be stationary Talk, hear, converse, communicate, or exchange information Use of hands and/or fingers in a repetitive motion to handle, pinch, grasp, move, feel, and inspect, etc. Walk, ascend, descend on both even and uneven terrain Vision to include distance, depth perception, peripheral and color Environmental Conditions may include Office settings
Physical Requirements
– No Physical Needed Lift, carry, push, pull, move, or positions from all levels up to 30 lbs. with or without assistance
Pay Range
$36.82-$47.80 Background and reference checks will be conducted for all regular and some variable/seasonal positions. Lakewood is full of possibilities for businesses, residents and visitors with innovative approaches, community collaboration, a strong financial foundation and healthy local economy. The city serves as a gateway to outdoor adventures while also providing a 10-minute commute to the heart of the metropolitan area. Much of Lakewood’s charm derives from neighborhoods as varied as horse properties, live/work units for artists, urban-style lofts and traditional homes. Lakewood has dedicated one-quarter of the land in the city to parks and open space, providing for a healthy, active lifestyle. The city also provides a comprehensive array of services, and we are home to global and national companies while also having a robust array of small businesses. We’re an All-America City connected to the metro area with the latest technology and multiple transportation options. If you are a job seeker with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to apply for one of our jobs, you will find the contact information to request the appropriate accommodation by visiting the following page: Access Lakewood Not finding the right fit? Let us know you're interested in a future opportunity by clicking Get Started below or create an account by clicking 'Sign In' at the top of the page to set up email alerts as new job postings become available that meet your interest! The City of Lakewood offers a robust benefits package. The following applies only to regular full-time and part-time positions. Medical Cigna HDHP with Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) Kaiser Permanente DHMO with Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) or Health Savings Account (HSA) Dental Delta Dental PPO plus Premier Plan Vision Vision Service Plan (VSP) Life Insurance Employees are covered for 1.5 times their annual base salary in life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment, up to a maximum of $500,000 (the minimum benefit is $50,000). The city pays the cost of this coverage. Pension Our pension fund is a social security replacement, money purchase plan. Mandatory employee contribution is 11% of gross base salary; city contribution is 13% of gross base salary. Sick Leave Full-time employees earn 8 hours per month. Part-time employees earn 6 hours per month. Vacation Full-time employees with less than five years of service earn 8 hours per month. Part-time employees with less than five years of service earn 6 hours per month. City Holidays Holidays: New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day after Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. The Following are Additional
Benefits
the City Offers: Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) Deferred Compensation Voluntary Life Insurance Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Short Term Disability Long Term Disability (LTD) Injury Leave Family and Medical Leave (FMLA) Military Leave Jury Duty Tuition Assistance Credit Union Recreation Facilities Employees are eligible for free general admission into the city’s recreation centers, swimming pools and Bear Creek Lake Park. Wellness Programs Value-Added Benefits