TEST ANNOUNCEMENT

NUMBER 2012-007

ISSUED MARCH 7, 2012

REVISED March 20, 2013

 

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

State Civil Service Commission

 

Examination

 

for

 

PAROLE AGENT 1

 

Exam

No.

 

Job Title

Job

Code

Pay Schedule

and Range

1.

Parole Agent 1

46030

ST06

 

Parole Agents work a 40 hour work week.

 

You must successfully complete a 6-month training period to be promoted to Parole Agent 2 with an increase in salary.  The 6-month training period is currently under review.  If an extension to the training period is instituted, applicants will be informed during the interview process.

 

APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

 

VETERANS:  Pennsylvania law (51 Pa.C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs.  To learn more about employment preferences and opportunities for veterans, visit the Commission’s website, Job Seekers page, for Veterans; visit one of our offices; or call out veterans information line, (717) 787-6039.

 

NATURE OF WORK

 

You will manage a caseload of probationers and parolees in the state probation and parole system.  The first 6 months of employment includes classroom instruction and on-the-job training to develop the necessary skills and techniques for safely and effectively managing probationers and parolees.  Parole Agents work in two different settings, correctional institutions and field offices.

 

In a correctional institution, you will complete investigation reports, develop parole plans, and assist inmates in getting appropriate services and necessary resources as they prepare to make the transition back into society.  You will also maintain contact with inmates’ families, friends, social service agencies, employers, and clergy to develop optimal parole plans and to assist in their transition to community life.  You will be required to attend and complete training programs.

 

In a field office, you will supervise offenders to ensure they are complying with probation/parole conditions through use of assessment tools and evidence-based practices.  Work includes conducting investigations, administering assessments, and developing supervision plans; and maintaining contact with offenders’ families, treatment providers, employers, and clergy to evaluate compliance and determine how the offender is reintegrating back into society.  You will be required to attend and complete training programs.

 

You will have arrest powers to apprehend offenders who violate the terms and conditions of their supervision.  You will be required to make decisions which directly affect public safety and the personal liberties of offenders.  You will work independently and encounter potentially dangerous situations outside the normal office setting, including high-crime neighborhoods, offenders’ homes, and prisons.

 

JOB REQUIREMENTS

 

You will be tested before your qualifications are reviewed.  Your test results will count only if you meet all job requirements.  If after reading the requirements you are not sure you qualify, contact one of the Commission's offices listed at the end of this announcement.

 

You must be willing to travel.  Travel expenses will be paid.

 

You are subject to Pennsylvania residency requirements and must be able to perform the essential functions of the job.  Visit the Commission’s website, Job Seekers page, for PA Residency Information.

 

New employees hired into Parole Agent positions must remain in the hiring unit (field or institution) for a minimum of 2 years from the date of hire.  Requests to transfer to other locations will be accepted after the 2 year requirement is met.

 

You must pass a background investigation, including a criminal history check.  Although a conviction of a criminal offense is not a bar to employment, you cannot be employed as a Parole Agent if you have been convicted of a felony offense.  After you receive a conditional offer of employment, you must also undergo a medical examination, urinalysis screening, and a psychological evaluation. 

 

Conditions of Employment

 

You must be willing to accept the following Conditions of Employment:

 

Parole Agents work holidays and weekends.  The job has other unusual and demanding conditions, which are listed below.  Read these conditions and think carefully about each one.  If you are unwilling/unable to meet the following conditions, do not apply. 

 

1.     You will be required to attend the Basic Training Academy near Harrisburg, PA (for up to 8 weeks).  Lodging is provided and you will be required to stay overnight, Monday through Friday. 

 

2.     You will attend and participate in training programs that include firearms, defensive tactics and personal safety techniques at the Basic Training Academy.

 

3.     You will wear, carry, and use protective devices such as ballistic vests and pepper spray.

 

4.     You must work independently/alone outside office settings canvassing neighborhoods, entering offenders’ homes, and meeting with offenders in prisons. 

 

5.     You must interact with offenders regardless of race, gender, mental/physical disabilities, and serious health conditions. 

 

6.     You will be called at any time of day or night to handle an arrest/detainment of an offender under your supervision.

 

7.     You must have a criminal history CLEAR of felony convictions.

 

By submitting your completed Application for Employment/Promotion, you indicate that you understand and accept these conditions of employment.

 

Necessary Special Requirement

 

You must have a valid non-commercial Pennsylvania Class C driver’s license or equivalent.

 

Minimum Requirements

 

Two years as a Parole Investigator or an Institutional Parole Assistant, and an associate's degree in criminal justice, law enforcement, sociology, social work, legal studies, psychology or a related field; OR a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, law enforcement, sociology, social work, legal studies, psychology or a related field; OR an equivalent combination of experience and training.

 

Clarification of Requirements

 

Please note that the job requirements have changed. 

 

You may substitute related, appropriate experience for the required education.  Unrelated experience or education will not be accepted.

 

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

 

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

 

Positions are located throughout the state in field offices of the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, and in parole offices within correctional institutions.

 

Employment opportunities are excellent for candidates who are bilingual in English and Spanish.  Proficiency in other languages may also be needed.

 

Additional opportunities may occur due to normal turnover from retirements, promotions, transfers, resignations, and so forth.

 

For the most recent information on job opportunities contact the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, Human Resources Office, 1101 South Front Street, Suite 5600, Harrisburg, PA  17104; Telephone:  (717) 787-8148; E-mail:  ra-pbpprec@state.pa.us

 

TESTING

 

The test will be administered on a computer.  Information about computerized testing is available online at www.scsc.state.pa.us OR in paper form at any State Civil Service Commission office. 

 

You will have a maximum of 2 1/2 hours to complete the test which will cover the following subject areas:

 

Subject Area

Number of Questions

Individual and Group Behavior

25

Interviewing

30

Analyzing Written Information

35

Effective Expression

30

Total

       120

 

The test will be administered in the Harrisburg, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh State Civil Service Commission offices, Monday through Friday.

 

The test also will be held approximately 10 days a month at additional test centers located in Allentown, Erie, Johnstown, Lock Haven, and Scranton.  For further details on test dates, contact the Commission’s Information Services Unit; Telephone (Voice) (717) 787-7811, Text Telephone (Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing callers only) (717) 783-8896. 

 

If you take the test and want to take it again, you may be retested after 6 months from the date of your test.  You must submit a new application to be retested.

 

If your name is on an eligible list for this job titles and you take this test, your most recent examination result will be the only one counted.

 

TEST RESULTS

 

Employment and promotion lists will be established.  You will be notified in writing of your test results.

 

HOW TO APPLY

 

Complete your application on the Commission’s website, Job Seekers page, by selecting Online Application, or submit your completed paper application to:

 

State Civil Service Commission

ATTN:  Applications

P.O. Box 569

Harrisburg, PA  17108-0569

 

Applications, and further information can be obtained from:

 

1.

State Civil Service Commission:

 

 

 

Harrisburg:  2nd Level, Strawberry Sq. Complex, 320 Market St., P.O.

 

Box 569, Hbg., 17108-0569; Telephone (Voice) (717) 783-3058, Text

 

Telephone (Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing callers only) (717) 772-2685

 

 

 

Philadelphia:  110 North 8th St., Suite 503, Phila., 19107; Telephone

 

(Voice) (215) 560-2253, Text Telephone (Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing

 

callers only) (215) 560-4367

 

 

 

Pittsburgh:  411 Seventh Ave., Room 410, Pgh., 15219; Telephone

 

(Voice) (412) 565-7666, Text Telephone (Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing

 

callers only) (412) 565-2484

 

 

 

Internet:  www.scsc.state.pa.us

 

 

2.

PA CareerLink offices

 

 

3.

The Human Resources office listed under the "JOB OPPORTUNITIES" section of this announcement

 

For further information on testing, assistance for persons with disabilities, veterans' preference and other items, refer to the instructions provided with the "Application for Employment/Promotion."