News  Mass Probation Service Advertises Job Openings and Services in a Unique Way As Participant of a Local Xmas Tree Decorating Contest

Pictured above, left to right: Matthew DeVeau, Chief Probation Officer in the Administrative Supervision Unit (ASU); Samantha Shea, Information Services Division Project Manager; Kevin Riley, Information Services Project Manager and Dianne Fasano, Acting Probation Commissioner.

The tree is adorned with ornaments that include QR codes which direct festival attendees to the Massachusetts Trial Court’s open jobs page. There are also “learn more” ornaments that feature MPS’ departments, including Victim Services, Electronic Monitoring, Pretrial Services, Record Sealing and Expungement, Transitional Housing and Reentry, and the Field Services Division.

The proceeds from the event will support historical preservation projects throughout the Merrimack Valley, according to Kevin Riley, Information Services Project Manager, who is one of the MPS employees who helped lead the creative project. 

“The intention of submitting this tree was two-fold: (1) Promote the great work performed by MPS within the community and (2) Serve as a creative means of attracting talented individuals to our organization. We are always looking for innovative solutions to promoting MPS in the community and attracting talent to MPS - this opportunity was a blast!,” said Mr. Riley who said he hopes to make it an annual event.

The MPS tree will be on display at the festival’s site, 13 Branch Street in Methuen, until December 2, 2023. Each year, more than 300 trees are entered into the contest, according to the festival’s website. The festival receives more than 25,000 visitors from Massachusetts and New Hampshire cities and towns. Festival attendees may purchase raffles to win one of the trees, mini-trees, wreaths, and a $5,000 cash raffle.

The Avengers is the name of MPS’s Senior Managers team, which named itself after the Marvel Comics characters in a team-building effort. Several members of MPS’ Avengers’ team donated ornaments or spent time decorating the tree. They include: Acting Probation Commissioner Dianne Fasano; Yvonne Roland, Deputy Commissioner-Administrative Services; Camila Silva, Information Services Field Coordinator; Samantha Shea, Information Services Division Project Manager.

Other employees who participated include Corinn Crowninshield, Statewide Manager of Victim Services; Leslie Diaz, Information Services Operations Coordinator; Patti Gavin, Statewide Probation Training Supervisor and Matthew DeVeau, Chief Probation Officer in the Administrative Supervision Unit (ASU).