NCJ Number
168876
Journal
Federal Probation Volume: 60 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1996) Pages: 78-82
Date Published
1996
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article discusses how workplace changes have affected support staff employees in the Federal probation and pretrial services system and describes some innovative ways districts are using support staff employees.
Abstract
Changes in the role of support staff were triggered by automation and technology advances, by the movement to reinvent government and by increased workloads. Attempts to deal with the changes have included employing support staff members as assistants to probation and pretrial services officers and reclassifying many clerk billets to administrative or probation officer assistant positions. In districts adopting team management approaches, clerical supervisors are becoming a thing of the past, but many new support staff and administrative positions have become available. Many districts are taking advantage of the new positions to promote and advance support staff members. The article discusses adapting to changes; training, education, communication and job satisfaction; concerns of support staff; and innovative approaches, with examples from four different districts. Notes