Kickapoo Tribe Jobs (NOW HIRING)

JOB TITLE: Tribal Court Probation Officer
SUPERVISOR: Tribal Court Administrator
Status: Exempt, Full Time
Starting Wage: $24/hr.
Department: Tribal Court

POSITION SUMMARY:
The Kickapoo Tribal Court Probation Officer (hereafter, PO) is a full-time position within the Judicial Branch of the Kickapoo Tribal Government that is directly supervised by the Tribal Court Administrator (hereafter, TCA). The PO position conducts pretrial and post-conviction responsibilities connected with supervising criminal defendants to ensure their compliance with conditions of release and encouraging long-term positive change for the individuals they serve by fairly administering justice and providing effective investigative and supervision services while also protecting the community. The PO, in consultation with the Tribal Judge and the TCA, is responsible for creating, supporting, and maintaining a probation program that is consistent with the culture, practices, and values of the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas (KTIK).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The essential functions of the Probation Officer (PO) position are subject to change as the interests and needs of the Kickapoo community and the circumstances of the Tribal Court require:
1.
Greet and engage all persons entering the Kickapoo Tribal Court with respect.
2.
Collaborate effectively and consistently with the Tribal Court Administrator, Tribal Judge, Tribal Prosecutor, Kickapoo Police Department personnel, employees from other KTIK Departments, and the Tribal Community to create a Probation Program rooted in traditional Kickapoo values for those who are justice-system involved so they can work toward positive changes and helpful contributions to the Kickapoo community.
3.
Determine the available local resources within the Kickapoo community and surrounding area for court-involved participants. Additionally, engage in consistent and ongoing outreach efforts to facilitate the identification or development of needed local resources to meet the needs of court-involved participants.
4.
Research available resources within other Native Nations, state and public agencies, and community-based service providers. Establish and cultivate partnerships with potential resources to increase the volume and accessibility of resources to court-involved participants of the Kickapoo Tribal Court.
5.
Create an operational infrastructure for implementation of the Probation Program.
6.
Monitor court-involved participants assigned by the Tribal Judge to the Probation Program, including persons released on pretrial bond conditions and those assigned electronic monitoring.
7.
Promptly report to the Tribal Court Administrator any person assigned for monitoring to the Probation Program for any bond or monitoring violations and prepare the necessary documentation to bring these violations to the Court’s attention.
8.
Administer and supervise any authorized testing to persons released on bond as conditions require or to persons in the Probation Program.
9.
Assist the Tribal Court Administrator and other court personnel in the Courtroom during court proceedings.
10.
Plan office activities, training events, and field visits in connection with investigative and supervision functions.
11.
Create and maintain accurate and up-to-date case records for every active case.
12.
Prepare and submit to the Tribal Court Administrator a monthly status report indicating the status of every active case.
13.
In collaboration with the Tribal Court Administrator, and other relevant KTIK Departments, monitor payment orders issued to criminal defendants such as orders for restitution, fines, court costs, child support payments, and other designated payments established by court order.
14.
Ensure compliance for every active participant in the Probation Program related to counseling or therapy, treatment programs, community service, payment of fines or penalties, and other probation-related activities.
15.
Assist the Pre-Trial Coordinator with presentence investigative reports for the Tribal Judge that include sentencing recommendations, family history, criminal record, prior court intervention, and other relevant information, including aggravating or mitigating factors.
16.
Meet with defendants on a consistent basis to engage in one-on-one conversations using approved motivational techniques to assess and monitor progress of court ordered requirements, determine and clarify problems, and engage in solution-focused discussions aimed at overcoming barriers and addressing issues, including the use of culturally appropriate and traditional methods.
17.
Testify in Court, when required, regarding assigned defendants and participants of the Probation Program.
18.
Represent the Tribal Court and other Court officials in meetings or events, when requested by the Tribal Judge or Tribal Court Administrator.
19.
Perform public relations activities such as addressing community groups, attending conferences, serving on task forces and committees, as directed by the Tribal Court Administrator or Tribal Judge.
20.
Engage in ongoing, collaborative meetings with other criminal justice system professionals at the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas.
21.
Provide Service of Process through Mail and Personal Service as requested or directed by the Tribal Court Judge.
22.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Tribal Court Administrator.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
A candidate must demonstrate sufficient education, training and experience to establish that they possess the ability to successfully perform each essential function of the position. The requirements listed below are generally representative of the requisite education, experience, and skills and/or ability to allow the successful performance of the position’s essential functions:
1.
Be familiar with civil and criminal jurisdiction within Indian Country.
2.
Be familiar with the history of the Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas.
3.
Possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in one of the following academic fields: criminal justice; human services; native studies; psychology; social work; or a related field; or an associate's degree with at least 5 years of work experience in a Tribal court system.
4.
Hold a minimum of one year in work experience within a court system, social welfare agency, or correctional institution.
5.
Be a self-starter who is highly motivated, embodies integrity, and possesses a strong work ethic.
6.
Possess the ability to work independently as well as within a team environment maintaining positive and constructive working relationships with coworkers.
7.
Be available as needed to monitor all persons released on pretrial Bond conditions and participants in the Probation Program including individuals on electronic monitoring.
8.
Be available, with advance notice, on some weekends and evenings to attend tribal events and to hold community meetings related to the creation of Court programs and services.
9.
Have the ability to access and use multiple forms of electronic communication methods, have experience and knowledge about operating databases and record-keeping systems, be proficient in computer skills, and hold the ability to use the Microsoft Suite of programs.
10.
Have the ability and desire to understand, gain knowledge of, and appreciate the uniqueness of Tribal culture and customs.
11.
Understand the separation of powers within a tribal structure.
12.
Be drug free and able to pass a background check and drug screening.
13.
Hold and maintain a valid Kansas driver's license that is free of restrictions.
14.
Have no felony convictions, nor any criminal conviction involving violence, dishonesty or fraud.
15.
Possess the requisite knowledge to be successful in the role, specifically: Understand the basic principles of human behavior and applied psychology, including issues common to criminal behavior; advanced interviewing techniques; basic court and arrest procedures; basic research and investigative methods/procedures; principles and practices of written and oral communication; language mechanics, report writing and principles of written composition; and general computer operations.
16.
Have the ability to interview clients and obtain factual information in stressful situations; listen carefully during interviews to both content and presentation in order to identify questionable information; investigate, research and interpret information regarding a client’s criminal history, social and other background details; interpret and apply complex laws, policies, and procedures using considerable judgment; communicate effectively with a variety of people, both orally and in writing; effectively handle difficult situations; work well under pressure; develop and maintain good working relationships with a wide variety of people; utilize computers to retrieve and enter information.

PREFERED QUALIFICATIONS:
1.
Experience working as a Probation Officer within a Native American Tribe/Tribal Community.
2.
Hold related experience of at least three to five years in a position within a Tribal Court.
3.
Have a master's degree, or other advanced degree, from an accredited college/university in
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Draft: 3/15/26
criminal justice, social work, or a related field.
4.
Hold a valid license or certification in a behavioral science (LMSW, CADC, LPC, etc.).

DUTY OF PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY:
The Probation Officer position has access to private and confidential information and is subject to additional Tribal and Court provisions regarding security and confidentiality. To be qualified for this position, the candidate must understand the general rules related to confidentiality and privacy when working with court records and satisfactorily attest to their ability to maintain the highest level of confidentiality and privacy for all persons interacting with the court and their records.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:
Mobility: Operate a keyboard; sit for long periods; frequent walking and driving; occasional bending and squatting.
Lifting: Frequent lifting of 10 lbs. or less; occasional lifting 11-20 lbs.
Visual: Frequent use of good overall vision, reading, close up work, peripheral vision.
Dexterity: Frequent reaching, repetitive motion, and writing.
Hearing/Talking: Constant hearing and talking on the telephone, talking in person; occasionally hearing faint sounds, public speaking.
Emotional/Psychological Factor: Constant decision-making and concentration; frequent exposure to issues of trauma, grief, death, hostility; frequent public contact.
The Kickapoo Tribe in Kansas complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

INDIAN PREFERENCE APPLIED IN HIRING DECISIONS:
Tribal preference will be applied in hiring decisions for this position, which means that preference in employment will be afforded to KTIK Tribal Members, including the spouse/parent of a KTIK Tribal Member and Native Americans who meet the minimum qualifications and can successfully perform the essential functions for the position.