County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under direction, to supervise and guide a unit of Deputy Probation Officers engaged in function(s) such as pre-sentence investigations, home supervision, supervision of adult or juvenile offenders or out-of-home placement of wards of the Juvenile Court; and to do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This class is the first level of supervision in the probation officer series. Incumbents are responsible for guiding and developing staff members, enforcing policy and maintaining work standards and output. They exercise supervision over Deputy Probation Officer I’s, II’s and III’s and may be given specific assignments in addition to their regular duties. The next higher class, Division Director, is charged with the administration of a major section of probation services. The next lower class, Deputy Probation Officer III is not regularly required to supervise probation personnel or to carry a major program responsibility.

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. Supervises and reviews the work of intake, investigation, field supervision or placement deputies. Supervises a unit of Deputy Probation Officers in the Department; assesses, documents, and maintains service quality and quantity of the unit.

2. Acts in a consultative capacity providing instruction and guidance in interviewing, evaluating of information and in casework techniques and management, methods and procedures of investigation, field supervision and departmental policies.

3. Verifies that assigned staff are trained and completing client risk and needs assessment instruments.

4. Advises on complex cases, and legal, procedural and special problems.

5. Monitors staff, and reviews decisions and work for conformity to policy, adequacy and soundness of decision.

6. Reviews progress reports and recommendations for treatment, dismissals, revocations, or special hearings and recommends departmental approval; reviews pre-sentence reports to determine adequacy of presentation and consistency of information and legal recommendations.

7. Assesses and resolves policy matters and problems and refers issues when necessary to higher authority.

8. Assigns, monitors and coordinates activities of court officers who represent the Probation Department and serve as liaisons between the Court and the Department.

9. Communicates and implements policies and expectations to subordinates, monitors and evaluates overall performance.

10. Determines unit training needs, enrolls staff accordingly and pursuant to mandated requirements, monitors compliance.

11. Responsible for developing and monitoring monthly schedules for unit, including officer of the day, training, vacation, extended leave and various special coverage requirements.

12. Prepares and submits performance evaluations and develops corrective action plans as necessary.

13. Provides responsive, high quality customer service to County employees, representatives of outside agencies and members of the public.

14. May provide temporary coverage for a Division Director in his or her absence in accordance with County policy.

15. In conjunction with management, coordinates coverage and relief for caseloads in the absence of Deputy Probation Officers.

16. Reviews, updates and audits casefiles to include utilizing any of the department’s automated databases to conform with established timeframes and departmental standards.

17. May conduct preliminary fact-finding involving possible staff misconduct.

18. Instructs unit staff, within area of supervision responsibility, on changes in laws, departmental policies and procedures.

19. Participates in planning and policy development.

20. Conducts monthly staff meetings for assigned work unit in accordance with departmental policy.

21. Provides supervision and direction for emergency situations; this may include responding to disturbances/emergencies and providing intervention as needed, in accordance with departmental policy.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

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

AND EITHER I

Experience:

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

OR II

Experience:

The equivalent of five 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 or above may be substituted for two years of the required experience.

Special Requirements:

Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's license.
Possession of an automobile may be required.
Good driving record according to DMV negligent operator guidelines and qualification for automotive insurance.
Any felony conviction is disqualifying.


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:

• Interviewing techniques.
• Employee supervision and appraisal techniques.
• Intermediate math.
• Basic math plus fractions, decimals and percentages.
• State, Federal and local statutes, ordinances, regulations, rules, policies and procedures.
• Departmental policies and philosophy.
• Trends in correctional field.
• Evidence-based probation supervision practices.

Ability to:
• Communicate effectively with a variety of people of various educational and socio-cultural backgrounds.
• Demonstrate effective public speaking skills, including planning and preparation of material and effective presentation.
• Effectively apply interviewing and listening skills.
• Read, interpret and apply complex legal and behavioral science information relating to criminal justice process.
• Access and implement training and learning theory techniques.
• Deal effectively with subordinates and superiors in a fair manner.
• Motivate subordinates.
• Coordinate work with others.
• Implement new policies and procedures.
• Set goals and objectives and establish priorities.
• Be flexible and tolerant in adjusting to changes in workload and assignments.
• Effectively set and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrate self-restraint, judgment and strategy in dealing with a variety of people, adversaries and advocates under varying situations, conditions and circumstances.
• Define problems, collect information, establish facts, evaluate alternative solutions, draw valid conclusions and select and act on the best alternative.
• Use community resources to meet the needs of clients.
• Write clearly, accurately and concisely and use grammatically correct English to convey ideas in written reports, letters and memoranda.
• Edit reports written by subordinates to ensure a clear, accurate and concise product.
• Provide consultation, regarding family system analysis and interpersonal relations analysis.
• Decision making, coach staff and model leadership behavior.
• Effectively utilize self defense techniques
• Effectively utilize a firearm

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

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)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance 
• 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
• Management Paid Leave**
• 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.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.