Probation Officer Intern

Job Title: Probation Officer Intern  

Department: Department of Probation Services  

Status: Temporary; Non‑Exempt  

Location: Gettysburg, PA  

This internship provides hands‑on exposure to probation work through shadowing Probation Officers and participating in training. Interns will learn about arrest procedures, office and field visits, court processes, drug testing, and evidence‑based practices such as assessment tools, case planning, and motivational interviewing.  

The work includes observing interactions with the Courts, Court Administration, Domestic Relations, Clerk of Courts, District Attorney’s Office, Children and Youth Services, law enforcement, and community agencies that support offender rehabilitation and public safety.  

What you will learn:

• How to read and understand Orders of Court for probation and parole conditions.  
• How investigations are conducted, including presentence investigations, pre‑release/parole plans, supervision plans, and required documentation.  
• How to monitor offenders for compliance and how officers interact with partners such as prisons, law enforcement, schools, treatment providers, and employers.  
• How to conduct office and field contacts (homes, schools, workplaces, treatment providers, and facilities).  
• How to investigate compliance issues, gather and evaluate data, and understand jurisdictional issues when offenders move in or out of the County.  
• How probation and parole violation hearings work, including documentation and testifying in court.  
• How to refer offenders to external services (drug/alcohol treatment, mental health, housing, financial assistance, etc.).  
• How laws such as DNA collection and Megan’s Law affect supervision, and how juveniles come under probation supervision.  
• Why ongoing training is important for probation officers.  

Physical and environment expectations:

• Ability to walk, stand, sit, and move around inside and outside the office.  
• Occasional riding along with officers in the community and exposure to weather or less‑than‑ideal conditions.  
• Working in a setting where offenders may have infectious diseases; following basic safety and hygiene protocols.  
• Comfort in a professional, court‑related environment with frequent interaction with staff, officers, and the public.  

Requirements:

• Currently enrolled in an accredited college or university and pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in a field of study such as Criminal Justice, Criminology, Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, or related field. 
• General knowledge of Microsoft Office products required; participation in training provided by the employer is expected. 
• Criminal background checks and clearances, including but not limited to fingerprinting, after offer of internship, as directed. 
• Subject to the Medical Marijuana Act, 35 P.S. § 10231.510(4), which prohibits an employee from being under the influence of medical marijuana in performance of duties within this job description.

Work locations include the Adams County Courthouse, other Probation Services offices, and various sites throughout Adams County and surrounding communities as directed by the President Judge or the Court’s Continuity of Operations Plan.