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, performs related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES 

Deputy Probation Officer III is the advanced journey-level classification in this series. While incumbents appointed to this classification perform the same full range of duties and responsibilities as those assigned at the II level, there is the further requirement for the highest degree of independent judgment and skill in the performance of assignments. Incumbents in the class of Deputy Probation Officer III may act as a lead worker for units as directed by the Department, and act as a full-time Court Officer in the adult and juvenile services division. The Deputy Probation Officer III positions are flexibly staffed with Deputy Probation Officer I and II, and positions can be filled at all three levels, except for the positions assigned to the Superior Court, which are at the Deputy Probation Officer III level only.

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. 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 manage or adjudicate the matter informally or refer to the court.

4. Prepares case and court reports describing the client, his/her life history, 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 supervising 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. Utilizes evidence-based intervention strategies and programs while supervising probationers, focusing on a client’s risks and needs in an effort to change behavior to reduce recidivism.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. Maintains case notes, case folder materials, and other records relating to cases.

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

8. 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.

9. 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 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 people 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 the 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 and 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; and, guides and counsels parents to ensure that the juvenile is adjusting well and receiving proper rehabilitative services.

3. Acts as a liaison between the 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.

When assigned to the Policy Development and Compliance Unit:

1. Consults with management staff and appropriate subject matter experts to obtain necessary information to draft concise and effective policies and procedures.

2. Manages policy development activities including researching, developing and preparing informational bulletins, notice of changes, interim policy and operational procedures.

3. Reviews proposed legislation and identifies potential impact on operations; develops corrective action plans, in collaboration with Executive Management and in response to audit report findings of deficiencies; interprets and applies standards, and assists with developing criteria for evaluating the effectiveness and feasibility of operational policies and practices.

4. Prepares and monitors the implementation of policy, informational bulletins, and prepares appropriate revisions to the Department’s operational manuals.

5. Responds to telephone inquiries from the general public, law enforcement, probation clientele and/or their family members on policy related matters.

6. Prepares information bulletins announcing new or revised forms, probation office relocations, activations, deactivations and mergers, and/or the implementation of new and/or revised policies and procedures.

7. Prepares varied and detailed research studies on policies and procedures for probation operations.

8. Maintains the Department’s operational manuals; keeps them up-to-date.

EXCLUSIVE TO THE DEPUTY PROBATION OFFICER III CLASSIFICATION:

1. Acts as a lead worker for unit assignments as directed by the Department.

2. Acts as a substitute for a full-time Court Officer.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

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

AND

Either I

Experience:

The equivalent of four years of full-time experience in a classification equivalent to, or higher than, Deputy Probation Officer II with the Probation Department in the Alameda County classified service.
OR II


Experience:

The equivalent of four years of professional, full-time correctional casework experience at the level of Deputy Probation Officer II in a probation, law enforcement agency, parole agency or correctional institution.

Substitution:

Possession of a Master’s degree in an appropriate field may be substituted for two years of the required experience.

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.
• Evidence-based probation supervision practices.

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.
• Effectively utilize the Department’s automated systems to record entries, update case factors, access client risk and needs information and attend training to maintain proficiency with all departmental automation systems.


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 CPS.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

TT:lm-h-Retyped: 1/85
Revised: 6/85-RSS:pb
Revised: 3/90
Revised: 6/90-BV:pb
Revised: 1/91-BV:ara
Revised: 7/1/94-DF:dj
Revised: 8/25/94
Old document: 0591h
New document: 6108-6110-6115
ys/3/01
CSC Date: 9/7/94
MM:pf Rev. 4/5/01
Csc date: 7/18/01
IB:pf Revisions 9/28/05
CSC Date: 12/7/2005
IB:po Revised 2/15/07
CSC Date: 3/14/07
IB:po Revised 2/21/07
CSC Date: 3/26/2008
IB:po Revised 4/14/2008
CSC Date: 5/7/2008
IB:cs Revised 1/3/12
CSC Date: 2/8/12
MH:cs Revised 6/4/14
CSC Date: 7/9/14
IC:jf Revision 3/21/17
CSC Date: 4/26/2017
IC:ah Revision 7/28/17
CSC Date: 8/16/17

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.