Misdemeanant Probation Officer

Salary: $6,085.00 - $7,057.00 Monthly
Location : Ellensburg
Job Type: Full-Time
Department: Misdemeanant Probation
Opening Date: 06/09/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Bargaining Unit: Probation

Description

This position is responsible for the supervision and counseling of approximately 500 adult misdemeanant offenders, gathers legal/social facts for sentencing recommendations to the courts, assesses offender compliance with probation requirements, and reports non-compliance to the courts. Must maintain courteous and cooperative working relationships with administrative and other County personnel, public agencies, and the general public, and work under the guidance of Local/State/Federal regulations, and County policies/procedures.

This position is considered open until filled with a first review after 6/23/2026. Candidates should apply as soon as possible for optimal consideration.
Examples of Duties
Providesupervision and counseling for approximately 500 adult misdemeanant offenders to ensure successful completion of court orders and community protection

• Interview adult offenders and evaluate social, employment, medical and criminal history data.
• Develop an individual probation plan for each offender; determine and direct the offender's responsibility for following specific recommendations.
• Explain probation requirements and court orders to offenders and relevant parties involved.
• Enforce probation requirements to ensure compliance with court orders.
• Resolve conflicts or concerns which might interfere with compliance by offenders.
• Refer offenders to appropriate community resources such as DV Perpetrators treatment, mental health, and alcohol treatment.
• Monitor offender's progress and compliance with treatment and conditions conducting crisis intervention as necessary.

Gather legal/social facts for sentencing recommendations to the courts and make appropriate referrals to treatment or other services for adult offenders

• Review police reports, statements, diagnostic evaluations, and prior legal and social files.
• Interview offender, family, victims, and other pertinent individuals having a relationship to the case.
• Diagnose offense-specific or environmental factors relevant to preventing further offense behavior by using a risk assessment instrument to assist determining threat to the community.
• Advise offenders of problem areas and make suggestions for alternate behavior.
• Develop recommendations for the courts' use in sentencing.
• Develop probation plans which protect the community and provide for the offender's change needs.
• Prepare, present, and testify to written reports and recommendations at court hearings.
• Answer questions from offenders, treatment agencies, law enforcement, or judges regarding recommendations and written reports.

Assess offender's compliance with probation requirements and report non-compliance to the courts

• Periodically review case files of offenders and determine if offender is in compliance, and if not, identify areas of non-compliance.
• Record information in case files using case management software and determine if additional actions are needed.
• Inform offenders of steps needed to rectify situation if not in compliance.
• Use strength-based interventions to encourage successful compliance with probation.
• Prepare a violation report if necessary and deliver to the court, which initiates probation violation hearing.
• Testify at hearings and recommend appropriate court-ordered sanctions for probation violations.

Represent Probation Services and individual professional image to agencies and the community through development and maintenance of a positive and effective relationship

• Maintain integrity of position through professional enhancement by attending trainings and professional organization(s).
• Advise law enforcement, courts, and community agencies of available departmental services.
• Develop programs for presentation to schools, community groups, volunteers, interns and agencies.
• Assist related agencies in the presentation of programs and training.
• Attend community meetings, boards, committees and task forces.
• Develop clear lines of communication with treatment providers and referral agencies.
• Assist other treatment providers through case staffing and information sharing.

Support other staff members, train, advise and supervise interns and volunteers who assist with caseload, court appearances and interaction with other agencies

• Serve as a resource to co-workers in matters of law, policy, or procedures in the absence of supervisory personnel.
• Provide a safe and secure environment for staff, as well as maintain confidentiality of office and records.
• Train interns and volunteers in the areas of adult misdemeanant probation law, policy and procedures and techniques for dealing with adult offenders.
• Select adult offenders to be involved in programs that interns will supervise and monitor.
• Develop case plans and goals for interns to achieve with assigned clients.
• Write reports to intern's professor describing goals and expectations and evaluate performance.

This job description is a summary of the primary functions and expectations for this position. Additional department-related duties may be assigned as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
• Bachelor's Degree in sociology, psychology, or criminal justice, or related field.
• Counseling skills necessary to evaluate and act on offender crisis, assess offender needs, motivate offenders, and make recommendations to the court.
• Experience working within adult probations systems and/or working with adult offenders with issues such as alcoholism, domestic violence, mental illness, sexual deviancy, etc.
• Two (2) or more years of experience as a Probation Officer may substitute for the minimum qualifications listed above in accordance with ARLJ Rule 11.
• Valid Washington State driver's license.
• Must pass the Adult Services Academy within six (6) months of employment.
• A criminal history and background check will be performed on qualified applicants. Convictions may preclude candidates from employment in certain circumstances. Factors such as seriousness of the conduct, number of convictions, the place and manner in which the position will be performed, and any verifiable information related to the candidate's rehabilitation, good conduct, work experience, education, and training will be taken into consideration.

Supplemental Information
Work is typically performed in an office environment but may include other indoor and outdoor locations. Sustained posture in a seated position and prolonged periods of computer operation; use of standard office equipment; strength to lift, pull, push and/or carry up to 25 pounds; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen, and hearing and speech to communicate clearly in person or over the telephone. Outdoor environments may include exposure to inclement weather such as temperature extremes and windy/dusty conditions and rugged terrain; must have the ability to traverse a variety of walking surfaces as needed, including stairs. Must be able to manage conflict situations and work in close proximity with potentially aggressive/hostile offenders/families while maintaining a calm professional demeanor. Safety rules/regulation must be adhered to at all times, including PPE when necessary.

Travel both in and out of the County will be required to attend meetings, conferences, and training events; must be able to safely operate a motor vehicle in all weather conditions and levels of daylight.

Work is typically performed during regular business hours, Monday through Friday. Some variation may be necessary including evenings and weekends. Regular and reliable attendance and punctuality are required.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Kittitas County is an equal opportunity employer. This means that Kittitas County does not discriminate against any employee on the basis of protected class status. All employees will be recruited, selected, trained, promoted, compensated, and if appropriate, disciplined or terminated without regard to race, color, religion or creed, ethnicity, national origin, sex, age (over 40), marital status, pregnancy or maternity, sexual orientation or gender identity, veteran status, use of a guide or service animal, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability (unless based on a bona fide occupational qualification).
Most permanent employees who at least 20 hours per week on a regular schedule are entitled to healthcare, retirement, and leave benefits, pro-rated to the scheduled hours of work.

HEALTHCARE BENEFITS
Eligible employees and their family members have access to medical, dental, and vision benefits. The base plans for these benefits are paid 100% by the County regardless of the number of family members enrolled. Plan buy-up options are available for a small cost via payroll deduction.

LIFE INSURANCE AND SUPPLEMENTAL PRODUCTS
Kittitas County offers access to a $12,000 basic life/accidental death and dismemberment insurance plan as well as a base long term disability plan through Mutual of Omaha as part of the core benefits program.

Supplemental products are available for eligible employees who choose to purchase them through AFLAC, Allstate, Colonial, and Mutual of Omaha. These products include:

• Supplemental life insurance
• Accidental death and dismemberment
• Disabilty insurance

LEAVE BENEFITS
Eligible County employees have access to a variety of leave programs. The amount of paid leave an employee may accrue and bank will vary between employee groups and collective bargaining agreements. Types of leave available include, but are not limited to:

• Legal holidays
• Personal holiday
• Paid time off (PTO)
• Bereavement Leave
• Military Leave
• Family & Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
• Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML)

RETIREMENT BENEFITS
Most benefited employees are eligible to participate in the Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS) plan administered by the Department of Retirement Systems (DRS). Participation in the DRS retirement program is mandatory for all eligible employees. Both the employee and the County contribute to the plan at a rate set by the State legislature.

For more information regarding DRS you can visit their website at

Employees who want to save additional dollars for retirement may do so voluntarily by participating in a choice of 457 deferred compensation plans. A 457 plan allows employees to defer funds through payroll deduction, up to a maximum amount set each year by the IRS.
01

Do you have a bachelor's (or higher) degree in sociology, psychology, behavioral science, law enforcement, or other closely related field?

• Yes, I have that education
• I have a bachelor's degree, or higher, but in a different area of study
• I have some education in these areas, but have not obtained a degree
• No, I do not have education beyond high school in any of the noted areas

02

If you noted in the question above that you have a degree in a different area of study, please indicate what area of study you obtained your degree in.
03

Do you have at least two (2) years of interviewing and social/psychological diagnostic experience, preferably in the criminal justice system?

• Yes, I have that experience
• I have some experience, but not two years
• No, I do not have that experience

04

Describe your experience managing a caseload of individuals. Please include type of supervision; size and nature of caseload; frequency of contact; and a list of all duties associated with managing the caseload.
05

Throughout the course of one's career, individuals often can work with special populations or on special projects and tend to develop areas of expertise. Specifically, what is your area(s) of expertise and why do you believe it will be an asset to our Probation Department?
Required Question