County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

This series specification describes the three Deputy Probation Officer classes in the Probation Department, which, under close supervision at the lower level and under direction at the higher levels, investigate and supervise adult or juvenile defendants or court wards; assist the courts in making detention and sentencing decisions; aid in the social rehabilitation of wards and defendants, including compliance with court orders; conduct fact finding investigations of pre-employment and employee misconduct cases; represent the Probation Department in court, institutions, foster homes, and community agencies; act as a substitute for a full-time Court Officer, and in Juvenile and Adult Divisions, covers additional court calendars as directed on a part-time basis; perform intensive casework counseling, and related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

Deputy Probation Officer II is the journey-level classification. Incumbents may be assigned all duties, except those exclusively related to the DPO III classification. A greater amount of previous probation or closely related experience and training is required for this class than for Deputy Probation Officer I. Deputy Probation Officer II's work independently with less need for supervision and initial training. Deputy Probation Officer II’s are expected to promote to the Deputy Probation Officer III classification upon completion of four years full-time experience as a Deputy Probation Officer II and satisfactory performance.

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.

When assigned to investigation of juvenile or adult cases:

1. Interviews clients, relatives, acquaintances, witnesses, complainants, and others to determine attitude toward and nature of offense, personal and social adjustment, school, family, and work histories, living and financial circumstances or other circumstances.

2. Contacts employees, public officers, and social agencies to verify prior arrest or delinquency history, employment record, school adjustment, marital, medical and financial status, and the legal situation of the client.

3. Develops a rehabilitation plan, including the decision to handle the matter informally or proceed in court.

4. Prepares case and court reports describing the client, his/her life situation, the offense, statement of the principles and the recommended plan for rehabilitation or dismissal and testifies in court as required.

5. Maintains case records and prepares periodic reports summarizing work performed.

6. Files petitions, or recommendations regarding the filing of a petition; approves admission to detention of minors; obtains medical treatment permits and clothing for minors; and transports offenders and court wards.

7. May act as a part-time Court Officer or substitute for part-time court officers.

8. Prepares court reports, memorandums, letters and other documents related to managing a caseload, including the use of automated equipment.

When assigned to supervision or diversion of juveniles or adults:

1. Interviews clients; explains nature and conditions of probation; identifies treatment, education, employment or other program needs; schedules subsequent contacts and arranges for referrals by providing community outreach.

2. Periodically counsels clients to effect compliance with conditions of probation and social rehabilitation by discussing with the client his/her plan, family attitudes, employment and financial difficulties, and makes home calls to assess clients’ adjustment and living conditions.

3. Confers with superior regarding clients' progress; recommends the need for modification or revocation of probation, the feasibility of termination of probation and the need for obtaining assistance in different cases.

4. Prepares case summary reports indicating the progress of the client, nature and frequency of contact, and degree of compliance with probation; enforces conditions of probation such as conducting searches and obtaining urine samples for drug screening; and recommends the continuation, modification, violation, or termination of probation.

5. Maintains reporting cards, case folder materials, and other records relating to cases.

6. Prepares court reports, memorandums, letters and other documents related to managing a caseload, including the use of automated equipment.

7. Investigates offenders charged with subsequent offenses to determine feasibility of probation and develops recommendations regarding the filing of appropriate petitions; arrests clients who violate the law and terms of probation; and physically restrains clients.

8. Teaches classes on probation related issues, such as drug abuse or parenting skills and/or leads group counseling or discussion sessions with clients.

When assigned to Chabot Community Day Center or Camp Wilmont Sweeney:

1. Performs intensive counseling and treatment of delinquent minors committed to the program.

2. Develops and implements individual treatment plans; conducts case conferences or "staffings" and participates in review boards prior to graduation of minors committed to the program in order to evaluate the progress of minors in relation to individual treatment efforts and potential for return to the community.

3. Conducts peer group and family conferences; observes wards in group and individual activity and provides advice and counseling to foster behavioral modification.

4. Confers with parents, teachers, Juvenile Institutional Officers, prospective employers, medical and mental health staff service providers, and other persons who can assist in the rehabilitation effort.

5. Prepares court reports, progress reports, treatment and recidivist reports, accident and incident reports and other documents related to managing a caseload, including the use of automated equipment.

6. May assist in planning and conducting recreational and leisure time programs and may supervise Juvenile Institutional Officers in connection with such activities; participates in special programs, such as open house and parent night activities.

7. Helps individual wards who are nearing the end of their stay at camp to form a plan of continued education and work as they progress toward career goals they have set for themselves.

When assigned to Juvenile Placement Unit

1. Supervises delinquent and non-delinquent court wards placed in foster homes and institutions.

2. Prepares juvenile for placement, obtains medical clearance, clothing, and permission of court for preplacement visit; confers with foster parents and institution personnel to describe his/her problems an the type of treatment required and outlines the visiting privileges of parents and need for medical care; visits juvenile to counsel and evaluate progress in the foster home and institution; guides and counsels parents to effect their social rehabilitation.

3. Acts as liaison between Probation Department and the Juvenile Court and natural parents, foster parents, and institutions; prepares placement reports, memorandums, letters and other documents related to the case; and discusses with supervisor advisability of returning juvenile to his/her home.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Either I

The equivalent of at least eighteen months of full-time experience in class of Deputy Probation Officer I in the Alameda County classified Service. (Non-classified includes District Attorney’s Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts.)

And

Satisfactory completion of the STC Basic Probation Officer training course. The equivalent of twelve months of full-time experience in the class of Probation Aide, Juvenile Institutional Officer I or higher level class, in the Alameda County Probation Department may substitute for 6 months of the required experience.

Or II
Education:

Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

And
Experience:

The equivalent of two years full-time experience in a position that required casework in a Probation Department, Parole Agency or Correctional Institution, Mental Health, Substance Abuse or other diversion or community counseling program dealing with pre-delinquent, delinquent or criminal persons. (Casework experience may include structured work on a non-paid basis.)

Or III
Education:

Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

And
Experience:

The equivalent of two years of current full-time experience as a Probation Officer in a California County Probation Department.

And

Successful completion of the State Board of Correction CORE training program for Probation Officers.

License:

All candidates must possess a valid California Class "C" Motor Vehicle Operator's license. Good driving record according to DMV negligent operator guidelines and qualifications for automotive insurance.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

All applicants must meet all minimum standards for Peace Officer under Section 1031 of the Government Code which includes: Must be at least 21 years of age at the time of appointment.

Applicants are not required to be a US citizen but must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law. (Per SB 960)

A thorough background investigation will be made of all prospective Deputy Probation Officers. A record of any felony conviction will result in disqualification.

Fingerprinted for purposes of search of local, state and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record.

Found free from any physical, emotional or mental condition which might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of an armed Peace Officer, as determined by a licensed examining authority in accordance with the California Government Code.

Within the prescribed time limit after date of appointment, satisfactory completion of training for probation officers as specified by the California Board of Corrections, Peace Officer Standards and Training PC 832 and any other training required under law.

Willingness to perform work requiring irregular hours, holidays and weekends.

Must be willing to work all positions, locations and shifts.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must satisfactorily pass a thorough medical examination for Peace Officers and a psychological evaluation before job placement can take place.

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:

• Usual causes of crime and delinquency.
• Elementary psychodynamics of behavior and modes of adjustment.
• Interviewing techniques and effective application of interviewing.
• Intermediate and basic math, plus fractions, decimals, and percentages.
• Principles of supervision.
• Applicable State, Federal and local statutes, ordinances, rules, policies, standard codes, and their interrelationship.
• Training and learning theory techniques, including recreational activity.
• Principles, methods, procedures and facilities used in modern progressive correctional programs, including methods of social casework.
• Cultural relativity and cultural differences.
• Understanding of minority group cultures.
• Concepts and effective techniques in facilitating socio-cultural relationships.
• Social economic and psychological factors, forces and trends relating to crime, delinquency, and social adjustment.
• Social and correctional case and group work.
• Developmental theory and social theory relating to rehabilitation.
• Counseling and guidance principles and principles of normal and abnormal psychology and personality theory.
• Theory, principles and trends of probation work.
• Principles and findings of normal and abnormal psychology.
• Principles, techniques and trends in social and correctional case and group work.
• General provisions of the law relating to the legal rights and obligations of adults and juveniles.
• Causes, extent of crime and delinquency.
• Techniques and methods of investigating and supervising adult and juvenile offenders.
• Service of public and private agencies available to probationers.
• Organization and procedures of the Alameda County Probation Department.
• Operation of Municipal and Superior Courts.
• Automated Systems and its applications.
• Information systems and personal computers.

Ability to:

• Verbally communicate, sufficient to communicate with a variety of people in various ethnic, educational and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Effectively apply interviewing skills, including listening skills.
• Speak publicly including planning and preparation of material and effective presentation, principles of group work and group dynamics.
• Proofread for grammar, punctuation, spelling and typographical errors.
• Define problems, collect information, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions to formulate recommendations and solve a wide variety of intellectual and practical problems.
• Write clearly, accurately and concisely, using grammatically correct English to convey ideas in written reports, letters, memoranda, etc.
• Read and interpret complex technical and legal documents in English, such as codes, psychological and medical documents, manuals, etc.
• Organize and manage a caseload.
• Be flexible and tolerant in adjusting to changes in workload assignments and work under the stress of meeting deadlines.
• Demonstrate interpersonal techniques relating to establishing rapport, tactfulness, controlling stress, gaining confidence and dealing with emotional stress.
• Follow oral and written instructions.
• Be willing to accept and follow direction.
• Understand one's self and have self-control in relation to self and others (self-awareness).
• Establish and maintain good objective working relationships with clients to determine needs in individual situations and take an effective course of action.
• Analyze complex emotional and behavioral disorders and carry out treatment plans.
• Exercise skilled judgment in the assessment and treatment of probationers, families, and dependent children.
• Establish effective and productive relationships with others.
• Access multiple information systems in order to research pertinent data.
• Function in an automated work environment.
• Effectively utilize self defense techniques.
• Effectively utilize a firearm.
 

• Verbally Skill in:

• Restraining an individual for the purpose of arrest and/or detention and conduct related searches.
• Applying restraint devices such as handcuffs.
• Administering first aid and CPR.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

TT:lm-h-Retyped: 1/85

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.