Official Title: Deputy Commissioner for Field Services

Pay Grade: Deputy Commissioner Probation

Salary Range: DCD Entry Level Pay $131,702.22 to Pay Range Maximum $189,946.38

Salary Notes: This position is designated as a Management. Starting Salary will be based on a review of qualifications and experience.

Departmental Mission Statement: Protecting and Building Safer, Healthier, Stronger Communities.

Position Summary: Working within the Office of the Commissioner of Probation, the Deputy Commissioner provides leadership and management for Trial Court Probation Field Services operations. The Deputy Commissioner has general oversight of all local probation offices with regard to field operations and services. The Deputy Commissioner assists the Commissioner and First Deputy Commissioner in developing and establishing field policies and procedures, including the development and revision of standards of practice governing the professional responsibilities of all probation staff. Other additional duties include the oversight of all performance field audits that are conducted by the Office of the Commissioner of Probation, assisting in providing strategic planning and policy development for probation field services, and addressing various required resources and other needs of local probation divisions.

Supervision Received: Receives assignments and direction from the Commissioner of Probation.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities: Under the direction of the Commissioner of Probation, the Deputy Commissioner for Field Services is responsible for the following:

Provides leadership and management for all Trial Court Probation Field Services operations;

Supervises, monitors, and evaluates the performance of local probation divisions and staff for adherence to Trial Court Probation Services standards, professional responsibilities, and procedures;

Consults with Regional/Statewide Supervisors and Chief Probation Officers regarding issues related to investigations, case management, and records management & maintenance;

Reviews probation field audits regarding probation case reporting, recommendations on dispositions, and adherence to probation best practices, standards and protocols;

Reviews and responds to critical incident reports and oversees corrective action if needed;

Travels between the Office of the Commissioner of Probation and all probation departments across the Commonwealth;

Provides direct supervision to the Regional/Statewide Supervisors and Field Services Administrator;

Conducts probation staff conferences and meetings as necessary;

Interprets and explains field policies and procedures established by the Office of the Commissioner of Probation to probation staff;

Represents the Commissioner of Probation and First Deputy Commissioner as needed on statewide boards, conference committees, or other related probation groups;

Collaborates with law enforcement and other local/state organizations and agencies within probation’s sphere of operations;

Compiles statistics and conducts research relating to crime, delinquency, and family service matters; and may participate with other agencies in research studies;

Leads initiatives and studies seeking ways to identify methods of enhancing delivery of services by probation field services personnel;

Assists in providing strategic planning and policy development for probation field services;

Keeps updated on research pertaining to evidence-based community supervision practices and case management;

Maintains statistical data as directed by the Office of the Commissioner of Probation; and

Performs such other duties as may be assigned by the Commissioner of Probation or First Deputy Commissioner in accordance with the guidelines, policies and standards of the Massachusetts Probation Service.

Job Competencies: 

Ethics and Values Communicates and demonstrates the ethics and values of Probation Service and the Trial Court.

Mission and Vision Understands, upholds, and communicates the stated organizational mission and vision.

Leadership The ability to motivate staff and effectively execute the strategic goals and responsibilities of the Probation Service.

Team Building (Motivating Others) Fosters a sense of shared goals and accountabilities through the development of positive relationships in order to promote a healthy work environment.

Collaboration Demonstrates flexibility and openness to modifications and adaptations suitable to the situation; Receptive to diverse ideas and opinions without preconceptions.

Strategic Thinking and Planning Utilizes the best available information to successfully achieve positive future outcomes on an organizational and local level.

Performance Measurement (Individual and EBP) Understands the value and importance of performance measures as a basis for both individual and departmental assessments.

Influence Understands the appropriate use of advocacy and persuasion in order to effectuate positive change and growth within the organization.

Managing External Environment Creates and promotes cooperative partnerships with other agencies in Probation’s sphere of operations; develops strategies to promote partnerships and team building.

Continuous Learning Is actively committed to and actively works to continuously improve himself/herself.

Minimum Requirements: These are the minimum requirements necessary to apply for the position of Deputy Commissioner:

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited educational institution recognized by the US Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. A graduate degree in behavioral sciences, education, administration, management, or criminal justice is strongly preferred.

Applicants must also have ten (10) years of full-time paid experience within the Probation Service in which a minimum of Five (5) years must be as a Chief Probation Officer, a Regional/Statewide Supervisor, or Field Services Administrator of Probation. Experience in training staff is strongly preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Skills:
Ability to use data to diagnose problems and drive enhancements and efficiencies in departmental field operations;

Working knowledge of and ability to use personal computers and related software to develop databases and systems to record and track projects and probation data; and,

Professional Development: Must have a background that demonstrates a history of regular professional development.