Probation Officer free essay sample

This paper will give some insight on the functional job analysis for the job of an investigative analyst. It will discuss the ways in which a functional job analysis can be used in an organization. This paper will also evaluate the various performance assessment methods and how they can be useful to the position of an investigative analyst. This paper will conclude with the explanation of various benefits and weaknesses of each of the methods of performance assessment regarding the position of an investigative analyst. Investigative Analyst: Functional Job Analysis. Investigative analyst are employed by various departments and organizations and take on many different roles, although the position of investigative analyst is primarily used for research of different types. In the event where an investigative analyst is hired for the services of a child support department the investigative analyst can make the determination whether or not a child support case requires a full criminal investigation, looking into the background and financial history of the delinquent party who is to pay the child support, and usually assists in the prosecution of that party. Investigative analysts who are used in an organization such as health insurance, health service investigative matters, fraud, or abusing medical resources. Investigative analyst can be used if a criminal investigation is needed in order to decrease the medical costs. Investigative analysts are also used in business sectors in retail settings in loss prevention in order to lower company costs in company inventory and make sure that employees are following the ethical guidelines of the organization. Some investigative  analyst only conducts internal investigation which sometimes may require occasionally leaving the officer for meetings. Other investigative analyst spend majority of their time outside of the office in order to conduct interviews and surveillance. On occasion, some investigative analysts have to confront individuals who may become irate or are in danger. Requirements for being an investigative analyst can differ depending on the position. For a investigative analyst a candidate must satisfy certain requirements. A candidate must have successfully completer post-secondary education in Criminal Justice, Law, Accounting, Computer Science, or Health Administration depending on the investigative purpose of the analyst. In some positions, previous experience dealing with an investigation field, which may be police work. Some forms of investigation require a significant amount of computer knowledge in order to be able to find information of the computer or over the internet. Investigative analysts usually need to operate in an independent manner and should be very detail oriented. Skills that one should posses in this position are analytical skills, organizational skills, and communication skills. Flexibility is also a key component because flexibility can be unpredictable. The selection process that is used for an investigative analysis is important. Making observations during the interview process and looking into an individual’s backgrounds is very important. Through the functional job evaluation, observing through interviews helps to assist in setting recommendations for the outline of the job. Job analysis is an essential part of I/O psychology. Analyzing a job involves determining what tasks a job is composed of, and what abilities are necessary to successfully carry out tasks in the position of investigative analysts. The results from a job analysis can be used for a variety of personnel management purposes but are more important for the decisions regarding selection of employees, or promotions. Job analysis is assumed before selection and promotional testing in the efforts to determine the attributes which qualify an individual for a specific position. The aspects that are recognized in the job analysis serve as the criteria for assessments used in the selection or promotion of employees. Functional job evaluation is a technique which is most helpful in gaining the most qualified candidates. This method can also assists various people who are not as well suited for the job or who needs to make improvements in certain areas. The evaluation techniques that are good practices for the companies and workers when a worker is employed by the Ohio Investigative Unit which has investigators who operate in Akron, Athens, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Toledo. The Ohio Investigative Unit is the only state law enforcement in the state of Ohio who is solely dedicated to preventing and detecting illegal use of food stamp benefits. Investigators must work undercover and adept to playing any role that allows them to blend in with the clientele who is under investigation. In Ohio, Investigative unit agents must be certified with the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission. Agents are required to carry out forty hours of exams and lessons in order to maintain the position they are in. Promotions and rewards are given to those employees who are able to carry out investigative tasks, work under strenuous conditions and who are able to get the information that is asked of them without being detected. Fundamentally, for parole/probation placements to be useful the company should have a system that is valid and dependable. Functional job evaluation can be time consuming and costly but the task of probation and parole officials needs staff that is highly trained The Reliability and Validity of Functional Job Analysis staff who have extensive coaching, useful knowledge, and a wide range of skills. The dependability of functional job evaluation associates with the credibility of functional job valuation as well. In case dependability has got a higher mean, this will assist support the credibility of the job evaluation. Studies indicate job analysis rankings are fairly dependable (Spector, 2012). The credibility is dependent on evaluating various ways or sources of information. The credibility defines the possibility and the usefulness of functional job evaluation. Benefits and Vulnerabilities of Performance Appraisal Methods Evaluation techniques have its advantages but there are also vulnerabilities and conflicts that take place also. The company and its employees are essential on evaluation techniques but what is most important is ensuring the workers have the coaching and support to fulfill requirements necessary for growth and the growth of the company. Management decisions in rewards and expectations utilize information that is obtained by I/O psychiatrists in assisting with making suggestions for rewards and also punishment for those  who violate (Spector, 2012). The drawbacks of weaknesses in the period of time and effort that s required to keep an eye on workers and the performances of their jobs. The requirements necessary for developing various methods assists in reducing the expenses in the event that the methods are useful. This would help in decreasing workers injuries, tardiness, and call-offs. Regrettably, the drawbacks or weakness is the period of time and effort required to keep an eye on workers and job performances. An excellent reward method replaces the expenses most companies acquire while keeping an excellent work environment which offers rewards for good performance. Performance evaluation techniques are performance data that assists management in making decisions, worker growth, suggestions, and researching the effectiveness of organizational practices. Conclusion The ideas of jobs analyses are utilized by companies who have various sizes, people, as well as various professions. The reason for the job evaluation is to examine if the job best suited for a qualified applicant. Some other reasons may include management decisions, worker feedback and growth, and criteria for research. Companies who employ these techniques have taken into consideration the dependability and credibility of job evaluation. Dependable sources may be timely and costly but, they are worth having for the company since the objective is to increase, reward, and maintain worker efficiency at high levels. Probation officials have a tough job and work in an atmosphere which supports its employees properly is necessary for worker efficiency and preparedness. Working for a company which cared for the well-being and the correct training of all workers promotes excellent performance and is part of a complicated system which is studied and created by I/O psychiatrists. This paper has conducted a functional job analysis for the job of a probation officer. It has also evaluated the reliability and validity of a functional job analysis of a probation officer. It has also assessed the various performance appraisal methods that can be applied to a probation officer. This paper concluded by giving explanation to the various benefits and vulnerabilities of every performance appraisal method.