County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under the direction of a Unit Supervisor and under the close supervision of a Deputy Probation Officer, to assist in administrative and client contact functions of court probationer cases; assists the Deputy Probation Officer to implement individualized case plans in compliance with court ordered conditions of probation and in compliance with the guidelines and program goals as required by a grant funded program; assist in monitoring the unmet needs of court probationers on field supervision or enrolled in a grant funded program by addressing rehabilitative needs such as school attendance and performance, payment of restitution, community service, personal/health counseling, appropriate substance abuse services, and career/vocational assistance; and do related work as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

Positions in this class are assigned to work with Deputy Probation Officers and may change assignments and office location during the course of employment. Probation Interns are distinguished from the DPO series in that they do not have peace officer status, are not to engage in the restraint, arrest, or handcuffing of a program client. Incumbent will not represent the Probation Department without authorization of the DPO. Additionally, their work is subject to detailed and frequent review.

Positions in this class are of a temporary nature and assignments are to be terminated no later than 3 years after the date of appointment.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Assists Deputy Probation Officers by interviewing clients, relatives, and acquaintances to obtain client information required by court ordered conditions or goals of the program.
2. Contacts client's school to obtain attendance records and any relevant school information necessary to assist DPO in data collection.
3. Assists Deputy Probation Officers in administrative detail and functions by maintaining and updating case folder records, reporting cards, case folder materials, and other records relating to cases; prepares case related data entry documents as directed by Deputy Probation Officer.
4. Assist in obtaining home and personal items for minors and their families such as food, clothing, and personal and health items.
5. Assists Deputy Probation Officers in assessing program participants as requested by providing necessary information related to case records to aide in the evaluation of the progress of the client; updates Deputy Probation Officer of records related to individual treatment efforts, program referrals, and potential for graduation from the program.
6. Assists Deputy Probation Officers in planning and coordinating recreational and leisure time programs and may coordinate program participants in connection with such activities; may assist in coordinating outside agencies to teach classes on probation related issues or group sessions, such as the probation process, general counseling or discussion sessions with clients as directed by the Deputy Probation Officer; participates in special programs, such as open house and parent night activities as accompanied by a Deputy Probation Officer.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Current enrollment in an accredited community college or a degree program.

License:

All candidates must possess a valid California Class "C" Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

Special Requirements:

Willingness to perform work requiring irregular hours and weekends.

A thorough background investigation of all prospective interns. A record of a felony conviction may result in disqualification.

Must be willing to work all assignments and locations in services area program.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Examples of Duties" section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Intermediate and basic math.
• Principles of criminal justice systems.
• Cultural differences and of minority group cultures.
• Effective techniques in facilitating socio-cultural relationships.
• Social economic and psychological factors, forces and trends relating to crime, delinquency, and social adjustment.
• Service of public and private agencies available to probationers.
• Information systems and personal computers.
• General principles of organization.

Ability to:

• Communicate orally and in writing with a variety of people in various ethnic, educational and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Be flexible and tolerate changing workload assignments and deadlines.
• Follow oral and written instructions.
• Establish and maintain objective working relationships with clients to assist in determining needs and take an effective course of action.
• Establish and maintain effective interpersonal relationships with others.
• Function in an automated work environment.
• Gather, analyze and organize data.
• Provide logical reasoning, draw valid conclusions, and make appropriate recommendations.
• Maintain confidential information.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

IB:pf 11/3/04
Newspecs: 6107N.doc
CSC Date: 1/19/2005
IB;cs Revised 8/21/08
CSC Date: 10/8/2008
MH:cs Revised 12/4/13
CSC Date: 1/22/14

BENEFITS

ABOUT THE COUNTY

Alameda County, located on the east side of San Francisco Bay, is California’s seventh-largest county.  The County employs 9,080 full-time employees and operates on an annual budget of $2.39 billion.  Oakland, the County seat, is California’s eighth largest city.  One and a half million people call Alameda County home and live in a variety of incorporated cities, unincorporated communities and rural areas.  As a major urban county, Alameda provides a full range of services to its citizens.  The County is a blend of culturally and ethnically diverse communities, and its mixture of cosmopolitan and suburban areas provides the perfect environment for families and their active lifestyles.  The County offers extensive cultural resources, countless recreational opportunities and an array of fine public and private colleges and universities.

SERVICES AS NEEDED EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

MEDICAL PLANS The County offers three Medical Plans. The County contributes up to the full family premium for a specifically identified HMO Plan.  The County contribution is prorated based on the number of work hours up to 50% of the standard hours in a pay period.  Employees pay any additional premium costs if they chose an alternate HMO or PPO Plan. If an eligible employee waives all medical coverage through the County a monthly stipend may be provided.

DENTAL PLANS The County offers two Dental Plans: PPO and Dental Maintenance Option (DMO). The County contributes up to the family coverage for both plans as long as the employee works at least 50% of the standard hours in a pay period. The PPO option plan design is 100% Preventative, 80% Basic Care, 80% Major Care with a $45 per individual deductible and a $1,200 maximum per year. The DMO option has an orthodontic benefit for children as well as adults.

VISION BENEFIT An annual eye exam is covered for participants in the HMO Medical Plans with corresponding co-pay. Some union bargaining units have a provision in their Memorandum of Understanding that after six months of continuous service, reimbursement for eye glasses or contacts is provided at an amount dependent upon the union bargained unit. This benefit is available only to employees.

PRE-TAX TRANSIT AND PARKING BENEFIT An employee can set aside up to $205 a month in pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified work-related parking fees. Through the Transit Benefit, $1,260 a year can be set aside on a pre-tax basis by the employee to purchase tickets for public transportation used to commute to one’s job.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP) The County has an EAP available for employees, spouses/domestic partners and eligible dependents.  This program provides services such as: counseling, financial consulting, child and elder care consulting and some legal counseling.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

VETERAN’S PREFERENCE
Those claiming additional preference points as a VETERAN must submit a copy of the DD214 form on the day of the oral examination. Those claiming additional preference points as a DISABLED VETERAN must submit a copy of the DD214 form and a letter from the Department of Veteran Affairs confirming eligibility for additional points on the day of the oral examination.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER
All government employees are disaster service workers as defined by California Government Code Section 3100.  In addition to everyday duties, employees have the added responsibility of helping throughout any disaster. 

DMV EMPLOYER PULL NOTICE PROGRAM
All county employees who drive on county business are required to enroll in the California Department of Motor Vehicles Employer Pull Notice Program in an effort to promote driver safety.  Employees’ driver record reports will be released to the County Safety Officer in Risk Management to ensure that employees have valid driver’s licenses and are eligible to drive on county business.
 

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION
An applicant’s previous employment may be investigated.  Results of this investigation may be cause for disqualification.  Also, all convictions will be reviewed and may result in a request for additional information or termination of employment.  A conviction record will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from employment.  Each case will be given individual consideration, based on job-relatedness.

MEDICAL EXAMINATION
All prospective county employees must pass a medical examination before beginning employment.  For positions which require a commercial driver’s license and the performance of functions defined as “safety sensitive,” Federal law and County policy requires that the examination include a drug screening process.  Offers of employment are conditional upon successful completion of this examination.

Alameda County is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.  Women, ethnic and racial minorities and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  Applicants will be considered without regard to their race, color, religion, sex national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or any other non-job-related factor.