Probation Officer

Job Description

Probation Officer (Criminal) | New Jersey Courts

The Tone
This is a full-time role at New Jersey Courts, located in Hackensack, NJ, with a hybrid work schedule. You will join an 8500-member team committed to the highest standards of independence, integrity, fairness, and quality service. This work holds purpose, meaning, and directly impacts the lives of the public served, contributing to initiatives like bail reform, marijuana decriminalization, and recovery court. The role requires a self-starter with excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills to serve as a Probation Officer, regularly interacting with judges, stakeholders, and the public.

The TL;DR
• Role: Early Career
• Type: Full-time
• Location: Hybrid, Hackensack, NJ
• Pay: $55943–$95153 yearly
• Team: Bergen Vicinage Criminal Division, reporting to the Criminal Division Manager (Court Executive 2b) and other supervisory personnel
• Mission: To manage probation cases, conduct investigations, prepare reports, and advise the court to support the criminal justice system in New Jersey.
• Tech Stack: Automated record-keeping systems

What You’ll Actually Do
• Client Interaction: Interview clients and provide exceptional customer service throughout their engagement with the court system.
• Case Preparation: Screen and prepare cases for court hearings, ensuring all necessary information is organized and ready.
• Investigation & Reporting: Conduct thorough investigations and prepare comprehensive pre-sentence and pre-trial investigation reports for judicial review.
• Judicial Advisement: Advise judges on case issues and make informed recommendations to the court based on gathered facts and findings.
• Workflow Management: Manage case flow and regularly review case statuses to maintain appropriate calendar balance and efficiency.

The Must-Haves
• Background: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in any area, including or supplemented by 24 credit hours in the behavioral or social sciences.
• Experience: Self-starter with excellent interpersonal, organizational, and strong oral and written communication skills; applicants approaching graduation may apply if their degree is completed by the start date.
• Skills: Interpersonal communication, organizational management, effective oral communication, clear written communication, and accurate data entry.
• Bonus: Indication of veteran status for preference consideration; authorization to work in the US is required; a valid New Jersey driver’s license may be required if vehicle operation is essential to duties.