Associate Probation Officer Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Courthouse 121 West Junius Avenue Fergus Falls, MN
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 34:08/26
Department: Probation
Opening Date: 08/14/2026
Closing Date: 8/31/2026 4:30 PM Central
Description
Otter Tail County is accepting applications for a full-time Probation Agent position.
The purpose of the Probation Agent position is to supervise adult and juvenile clients at home, work, school and in the community. Probation Agents are responsible for coordinating multiple services, enforcing court orders, completing investigations, and protecting the communities they serve.
Deadline to apply is August 31, 2026.
Examples of Duties

• Supervise adult and juvenile clients according to department policy to ensure compliance with court-ordered conditions. Supervision tasks include completing validated risk and needs assessments, implementing effective intervention strategies, attending weekly office meetings, residential field visits, school visits, placement visits, and employment visits throughout the week. Agents must manage intense situations and be responsive to the needs of clients by addressing each issue, concern, and/or violation based on the risk/needs of each individual client.
• Complete professional reports for the Court such as pre-sentence investigations, pre-dispositional investigations, bail evaluations, violation reports, etc. Recommendations to the Court are responsive to the risk/needs of each individual client. Perform court-related and administrative hearing activities. Testify before the Court as necessary.
• Respond as needed to collateral and emergency contacts such as law enforcement, victims, schools, placements, clients, client family members, etc. Attend all meetings as requested.
• Maintain accurate chronological case notes.
• Effect police powers through the approved issuance and execution of apprehension and detention orders when necessary.
• Obtain drug tests from clients as necessary. Understand over the counter and prescription drug medications and how they may impact a drug test result.
• Complete special assignments per request of the Director.
• Abide by department policies, Otter Tail County policies, applicable Minnesota Department of Corrections policies, and all Minnesota Statutes.
• Remain current with knowledge and changes in the field of corrections.
• Complete 40 hours of training per year. Training may include evidence-based practices, use-of-force, safety and self-defense, first aid/CPR, etc.
• May assist with duties and responsibilities as outlined in the County Emergency Operations Plan and Continuity of Operations Plan.

Minimum Qualifications
A Bachelor's degree in Corrections, Criminal Justice, Criminology, Counseling, Counseling Psychology, Education, Law Enforcement, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, Business or a Human Services related field with an emphasis in corrections/criminal justice.
Preferred, but not required:

• Completed a full-time internship (minimum duration of one semester or 10 weeks or 400 hours) with the Minnesota Department of Corrections as a Corrections Agent or Corrections Security Caseworker, or with another jurisdiction as a Probation Officer;
• A minimum of 400 hours (approximately three months) of work or volunteer experience as a Corrections Agent, Corrections Security Caseworker or Probation Officer;
• A minimum of two years of experience supervising clients in the Minnesota Department of Corrections as a Corrections Officer or Sentencing to Service Crew Leader;
• A minimum of six months of professional-level experience in case management in a correctional or human service setting.
• Candidates with extensive law enforcement experience and an Associate's degree in a law enforcement related field may be considered.

Other requirements include:

• Valid driver's license required.
• Upon employment offer, must pass background investigation/criminal history check.
• Must have necessary computer technology knowledge to complete criminal background checks, CJIS, look up fine/restitution and other info on MNCIS; knowledge of court services tracking system (CSTS); statewide supervision system (SSS); Minnesota repository of arrest photos (MRAP); Driver Vehicle Service (DVS); web court access system and CriMNet statewide client system.
• Must be willing to obtain basic knowledge of use of force training in regard to arresting a client, protecting self and knowledge of the continuum of use of force.
• Must obtain certificate to carry OC spray.

Supplemental Information
This position is regularly scheduled to work Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with potential for evening and weekend hours. There are three levels of Probation Agents, depending on qualifications. The salary range for the three levels is as follows:
Probation Agent: $29.69 - $44.53
Senior Probation Agent: $32.50 - $48.76
Career Probation Agent: $34.93 - $52.43
The selection process will include an online employment application and supplemental questionnaire. Semi-finalists will be invited to interview. Finalists will be required to pass a background investigation prior to hire. A standard twelve-month probation period applies.
Please note: This position is considered a safety-sensitive position due to the essential job duties in accordance with Minn. Stat. §181.950, Subd. 13. Safety-sensitive employees are subject to pre-employment drug testing and random drug and alcohol testing. In addition, all employees are subject to drug and alcohol testing upon reasonable suspicion/cause, return-to-duty, follow-up, and post-accident.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, click on desired job title, then the "Apply" link. On-line applications are stored on a secure site. Only you and authorized employees of Otter Tail County have access to the information submitted.
When filling out any employment application materials for Otter Tail County, you must include your entire employment and education history. Failure to do so may render your application incomplete.
Veterans Preference
Eligible veterans as defined by Minnesota Statute 197.447 may claim Veterans Preference during the hiring process. A DD214 and required supporting documentation must be included with the employment application to receive preference.
Background Investigation
All employment offers are contingent upon the applicant passing a background investigation which may include, but are not limited to, gathering information from the following sources: Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, other law enforcement agencies, court documents, educational institutions, previous employers, Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services, military records, Immigration and Naturalization Services, and known associates of the applicant.
Criminal convictions are not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought. Making false statements or withholding information during the hiring process will cause you to be barred from employment or removed from employment.
Otter Tail County is a tobacco-free workplace.
Otter Tail County does not discriminate on the basis of political affiliation, race, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, sex (pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation), marital status, familial status, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local commission, disability, or genetic information.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Otter Tail County provides an attractive benefit package for regular full-time employees, including health, dental, life, long-term disability, and retirement benefits through the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA). Regular full-time employees can expect to accrue holiday, sick, and vacation leave benefits. In addition, employees receive professional development opportunities.
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The following questionnaire will be used as a scored evaluation of your knowledge, skills, and experience and is used to determine advancement in the hiring process. Be sure that your responses are thorough and complete. If a question asks for education and experience that you have already stated in the employment application, it is still important to answer the question thoroughly on the questionnaire. All responses should be examples of your own writing and will be evaluated for potential AI. If we determine that the responses were created using AI, your application may be deemed ineligible.
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Briefly describe any direct experience you have had working with justice-involved clients.
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Describe your idea of providing effective case management services.
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Describe how you effectively manage your time in a rapidly changing professional work environment.
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Describe your understanding and training with evidence-based practices.
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Describe how you will be an effective Probation Agent.
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Are you bilingual? If you are bilingual, indicate the language(s) you speak and your skill level. Also tell us whether you can speak fluently, read/or write the language(s).
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Have you included your entire work history on this employment application? Do not mark your application "see resume". Not including your entire work history will render your application incomplete.
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How did you hear about this job opportunity? Check all that apply.

• Otter Tail County Website
• Minnesota Works Website
• Newspaper
• Social Media
• Word of Mouth
• Other

Required Question