The Government of Montserrat is inviting applications from suitably qualified persons for the post of Senior Probation Officer, within the Ministry of Health and Social Services.

JOB PURPOSE

To protect the community by interviewing, supervising, monitoring and motivating adult and juvenile offenders as mandated by the court, enforce court orders, and deliver structured programmes to reduce re-offending.

The probation officer should have a clear understanding of Youth Justice and possess the relevant skills and ability to work with a range of offenders.

RESPONSIBILITIES WILL INCLUDE:

• Enforce requirements of Probation Orders and Community Service Orders;

• Assess offender’s risk for re-offending in order to protect the public;

• Deliver structured programmes to reduce re-offending and to rehabilitate the offender;

• Provide adequate supervision of  Probation/Parole Officer;

• Provide casework supervision to Probation/Parole Officer;

• Monitor work flow; review and evaluate Probation Officers’ work methods and procedures;

• Participate in developing, planning and implementing Department’s goals and objectives;

• Participate in the development of the Department’s work plan, projects and programmes;

• Monitor work flow; review and evaluate Probation Officers’ work methods and procedures;

• Conduct counselling interviews with assigned cases according to approved counseling techniques in order to determine and clarify probationer problems;

• Provide casework supervision to Probation Officers;
• Participate in the conduct of performance appraisals of Probation officer;
• Provide counselling for offenders who have been discharged from HM prison to facilitate their re-integration into the community;

• Enforce all orders handed down by the court;
• Liaise with the Health and Mental Health providers, Department of Social Services, Department of Education, the Courts, work providers and enforcement agencies such as the Police Force;

• As directed by the Probation Officer and in conjunction with the Superintendent of Prisons deliver programmes to inmates to assist with the sentence plans and/or re-integration into the community;

• Carefully document facts and testify in court with respect to the probationer’s activities;

• Present alleged violations of the probationer to the attention of the court and/or bring a probationer before the court as required;

• Conduct investigations, assessment in line with Departmental procedures, prepare appropriate reports, and make recommendations based on these investigations;

• Provide timely at risk assessments and reports to assist the Court in making sentencing decisions;

• Perform all assigned duties relating to cases scheduled to appear in court;

• Maintain accurate and current manual and electronic case records;
• Provide victims of crime with general information about the custodial process for the offender, date of release, and supervision after release;

• Determine when circumstances warrant modification of court orders and initiate the necessary action to procure a decision by the court;

•  Perform any other duties pertaining to the job function;

   

•  Provide information on legal aid as required for offenders.

CANDIDATES QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE PROFILE

The applicants must:

• Have a Degree or Masters in either Probation Studies or Social Work or Criminology;

• Have Programme Planning and Management experience;

• Have 5 years’ experience in Probation services;

• Be Computer literate;

• Have excellent written communication skills;

• Have excellent supervisory, management and leadership skills.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF ENGAGEMENT

Appointment will be made either on a permanent or contractual basis.

REMUNERATION PACKAGE

The salary scale for the post is R17-13, that is, EC$58,896-EC$65,232 per annum – taxable.

HOW TO APPLY

Application forms can be obtained from the Government of Montserrat’s website at www.jobs.gov.ms. (Click on ‘Forms’). Application forms can also be obtained from the Human Resources Management Unit, Brades, Montserrat by e-mail to hrmu@gov.ms or by telephone at 1 (664) 491-2365/2444 or by fax at 1 (664) 491-6234.

Applicants must provide all of the following information:

• A completed Application Form with a covering letter

  A comprehensive curriculum vitae with full particulars of experience, and copies of relevant academic qualifications. 

  NOTE: Original certificates of qualifications or official notarized copies will be requested from those invited to interview

  A clear statement detailing why in the applicant’s view he/she considers him/herself well qualified for the position

  Two letters of reference with full contact details of the referees

   

  Completed application forms must be returned to the Human Resources Management Unit either by email, or by fax or by ordinary mail. These should be addressed to the Chief Human Resources Officer, Human Resources Management Unit, Government Headquarters, Brades, Montserrat.

   

  SELECTION PROCESS

  Shortlisted applicants will be invited to participate in a selection process that involves attending one or more interviews and/or assessment centres.  These interviews are designed to assess the skills, competencies and attitudes of the applicant and may be conducted via SKYPE or in person.  The Interviews and/or Assessment Centres allow the Selection Panel to draw on more evidence about the applicants than can be derived from the written application.

   

  The deadline for the receipt of applications is 4:00 p.m. Friday 04th May, 2018.