Description
THE MASSACHUSETTS PROBATION
SERVICE
PROMOTIONAL EXAMINATION
FOR THE POSITION OF
ASSISTANT CHIEF PROBATION OFFICER
The Assistant Chief Probation Officer Exam registration is now open,
and we’re here to help you take the next step in your career!
EXAM INFORMATION
REGISTRATION OPENS: Friday, June 27, 2025
LAST DAY OF REGISTRATION: 11:59pm on Friday, August 1, 2025
Exam Date: Saturday, November 15, 2025*
Exam Fee: $50 (fee waiver available)
Exam Location: One-day in person administration, site to be shared at a
later date.
Study Guide: A source list of the documents from which the content
of the job knowledge questions will be drawn, will be emailed to candidates
along with a study guide once registration closes, no later than Tuesday, August
5, 2025.
*Depending on the number of candidates registering for the exam, the Trial
Court reserves the right to offer the exam on alternate dates and/or locations
if necessary. Registrants will be notified by email if this occurs.
DESCRIPTION:
This exam is open to current Probation Officers and is being administered
to comply with state law, which mandates passing this exam in order to be eligible
for promotion to the position of Assistant Chief Probation Officer (ACPO). Individuals
who do not take and pass this exam will not be eligible for the ACPO position
until the next promotional exam is offered.
Please Note: All candidates seeking a promotion to ACPO must take
and pass this exam. Results from previous exams will not be accepted.
After November 15, 2025, the next written exam is planned to be administered
in 24 months. Passing results from this exam will remain valid for two exam
cycles, up to a maximum of four years, unless there are significant
changes to the exam content.
The exam will be divided into two (2) sections. All candidates will be
administered one section with multiple-choice job knowledge questions and
one section of multiple-choice job skills and abilities questions.
A source list of the documents from which the content of the job knowledge questions
will be drawn will be emailed to candidates along with a study guide once registration
is confirmed by the Trial Court Human Resources Department.
Passing the Probation Department Promotional Exam for the position of Assistant
Chief Probation Officer alone does not guarantee you will receive an interview.
Persons who apply to a job posting for ACPO after passing this exam must also meet
the minimum eligibility requirements for the job to be considered for appointment.
Please review the position summary and position requirements below before
you consider registering for the Assistant Chief Probation Officer exam.
ASSISTANT CHIEF PROBATION OFFICER POSITION SUMMARY:
POSITION SUMMARY
Serves as a member of the local probation department leadership team, assists
the Chief Probation Officer in the supervision of probation staff, which includes
assigning work and ensuring procedural compliance with probation standards. Provides
staff with feedback, support, training, and coaching. May serve as the department
head as required in the absence of the Chief Probation Officer.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Supervises the work of assigned personnel, including assigning and reviewing
work, providing guidance. and participating in and providing input for performance
evaluations; - Enforces office policies, reviews case work and ensures corrective action
is taken as needed; - Conducts case reviews for all case types;
- Facilitates and participates in meetings;
- Reviews and approves case review list. Ensures reviews of probation cases
are completed accurately and in compliance with supervision standards; - Performs administrative duties, including responding to inquiries, assisting
the Chief Probation Officer, First Assistant Chief Probation Officer, and providing
monthly statistics; - Assesses the training needs and professional development of staff and conducts
approved training in collaboration with the MPS Training Division; - Conducts individual and group supervision meetings and observation of probation
staff as required in the MPS Supervision Standards for Probation Supervisors; - Issues written warnings to probation officers and associate probation officers
as necessary in consultation with the Chief Probation Officer; - May manage time and attendance, including approving time entered in SSTA;
- May participate in the hiring and promotion process and selection for designations
for special assignment; - Disciplines employees as appropriate with the approval of the Chief Probation
Officer up to letters of warning and reprimand; - Testifies at disciplinary hearings, grievance hearings, arbitrations, or
in other forums on cases as required; - Performs public relations, addresses community, school and professional
groups and organizations; - May oversees drug testing, community supervision and/or field work field
contacts and equipment/supply management such as electronic monitoring equipment,
Remote Breath, DNA, drug testing supplies and PPE; - May also perform duties of lower-level probation officer positions as needed;
and - Performs other duties as required.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Works under the direction of the Chief Probation Officer or their designee.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
This position serves as a supervisor to others.
IMPACT OF ACTIONS/INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT
This position operates under general direction with long-term impact on the organization.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is frequently performed in office or similar indoor environments and in
the community. Work requires frequent exposure to individuals who are hostile or
irate and individuals with known violent backgrounds.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
This position requires light work:
Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, up to ten (10) pounds of force
frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly having to move objects.
If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that
for the Sedentary Work category and the worker sits most of the time, the job is
rated Light Work.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s Degree;
- Three (3) years of related work experience as a Probation Officer.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:
- Modern office equipment and technology including computers and applicable
software; - Departmental and court policies and procedures;
- Case Management Systems;
- Principles and practices of employee supervision;
- MPS Polices and Standards and the Trial Court standards;
- Union contracts and HR policy and procedures;
- Assessments/skill building processes;
- Community resources.
Skill in:
- Organization and time management;
- Leadership;
- Attention to detail;
- Critical Thinking.
Ability to:
- Establish effective working relationships with others;
- Prepare clear and accurate reports;
- Maintain appropriate records;
- Maintain confidentiality of information;
- Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
- Work independently and follow oral and written instructions;
- Ability to travel as needed to conduct community supervision/field work;
- Develop Training.
ADDITIONAL EXAM INFORMATION
Fee Waiver: The exam fee may be waived for registrants receiving certain
state or federal public assistance or unemployment insurance.
All completed fee waiver forms must be emailed to
exams@jud.state.ma.us no later
than Thursday, July 31, 2025. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Reasonable Exam Accommodations: If you wish to request a reasonable accommodation
for the exam due to a documented impairment, you must first complete your online
exam registration.
In addition, you must provide a letter of support from a qualified professional
outlining the specific accommodation you are requesting for the exam. Please carefully
follow the instructions on the Exam Accommodation Form to ensure proper submission
of both the form and any supporting documentation.
All Exam Accommodation Forms and supporting documents must be emailed to Assistant
Chief HR Officer, Kerlley Aime,
kerlley.aime@jud.state.ma.us
by Friday, August 1, 2025. Late submissions will not be accepted. Please
note that if the letter of support is not submitted by the deadline, we cannot guarantee
that we will be able to accommodate your request. This information is requested
solely for the purpose of providing reasonable accommodations and will not be used
for any other purposes.
Current Military Personnel: All military personnel who are unable to attend
the exam due to military service on the scheduled date must:
- Register for the exam
- Pay the processing fee, or request a fee waiver
- Submit a written request for a makeup exam, along with a copy of your
military orders.
Military-related requests must be emailed to
exams@jud.state.ma.us by
the registration deadline, Friday, August 1, 2025.
When submitting your request, please provide your daytime base phone number and,
if possible, the name and phone number of a friend or family member who can serve
as an alternate contact.
Makeup Exam: If you have registered for the exam and experience an emergency
or unforeseen hardship you may request a makeup exam by submitting a written request
with verifiable documentation to exams@jud.state.ma.us.
All requests must be submitted within 2 business days of the scheduled exam date.
The Trial Court reserves the right to approve or deny your request and may require
an additional exam processing fee upon arrival.
Identification at the Exam Site: At the exam site, registrants must present
current and valid photo identification with signature (e.g., driver’s license, passport,
military ID, Trial Court ID).
Change of Personal Information: Registrants are responsible for maintaining
accurate contact information (e.g., address, email, phone number) with the Trial
Court. Failure to keep your records up-to-date and to email them to exams@jud.state.ma.us
may jeopardize opportunities for employment.
Refunds: There will be NO REFUND of the exam processing
fee unless the exam is cancelled by the Trial Court.
Examination Registration and Payment Information:
All registrations must be received by the posted deadline and accompanied by
an examination processing fee. You will receive a confirmation email when you have
completed the process.
Your registration is not complete until you have received a confirmation email.
All additional information about the examination will be provided to you by email.
Please check the email address you registered with regularly for up-to-date information
about the upcoming examination. If you do not see any emails, be sure to check your
junk mail.
All exam registrants who have registered through I/O solutions will receive access
to a study guide. Go to https://iosolutions.com/membership-login/,
select “Account login” and enter the email and password you used to register. Once
you log in, you’ll be directed to “My Account” and the study guide will be under
“Purchased Online Products”.
Please note that all registrations must be submitted by the posted deadline,
along with the exam processing fee. You will receive a confirmation email once your
registration is complete. Your registration is not final until you have received
this confirmation email. All further exam details will be sent to you via email,
so be sure to check the email address you registered with regularly. Don’t forget
to check your junk or spam folder if you don’t see emails in your inbox.
Your $50 exam processing fee must be paid by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, August
1, 2025.
After successfully registering, you will receive an email with important details,
including the exam date, time, location, and other essential information. Additionally,
an orientation and preparation guide will be emailed to all confirmed registrants
at no extra cost no later than Tuesday, August 5, 2025.
Contact Information:
The Office of Court Management is managing the exam process for these jobs. For
more details or questions regarding this process please contact:
Office of Court Management
Business Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 am-5:00 pm, except holidays.
Email: exams@jud.state.ma.us
Telephone Number: 617-742-8575