Probation department flags 18 vacancies, wins approval to refill critical community-corrections secretary

The Monroe County probation department described a deep staffing shortfall on Feb. 24, reporting 18 open positions across full-time and part-time roles and saying turnover far exceeded pre-pandemic norms.

Linda Brady (chief probation officer) and Judge Dieckhoff explained the operational strain: community-corrections field officers and support staff have left at elevated rates since 2020, forcing reassignment of tasks such as urine testing and front-desk reception to remaining staff. The department said it currently supervises roughly 1,500 people and receives an average of about 108 phone calls per day at its Community Corrections office, underscoring the service burden.

The department requested exemption from the hiring freeze to refill one critical vacancy, the Community Corrections legal secretary/receptionist, a role funded by community-corrections grants and user fees rather than the county general fund. "We are month from having even more vacancies," the probation chief said, describing two more staff who have already announced departures.

Councilors questioned the longer-term funding posture; the department noted the state reduced community-corrections grant lines by roughly 10% in the most recent budget cycle and the program had been flatlined locally for several years. Council approved the request by a 6–1 vote.

Councilors and judges emphasized the public-safety and recidivism implications of reduced community alternatives. "If you don't have those alternatives to offer, then we have fewer choices as judges," one judge said, arguing that problem-solving courts and community supervision reduce jail population and improve outcomes.

Next steps: The probation office will fill the legal secretary post using grant and fee revenue sources and continue to flag the department's staffing needs in future budget and grant discussions.