County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under the general direction of the Chief Probation Officer, Assistant Chief Probation Officer oversees the day-to-day operations of three (3) major operational branches of the Probation Department (Adult Services, Juvenile Services, and Support Operations); plans, directs, and evaluates the implementation of department/division-wide initiatives; implements and enforces departmental policy as it is determined by the Chief Probation Officer; may directly supervise staff within division programs and projects; may act for the Chief Probation Officer in their absence; and performs related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This single position classification of Assistant Chief Probation Officer reports directly to the Chief Probation Officer, while the Deputy Chiefs of major probation programs and staff services may either report directly to the Chief Probation Officer or to the Assistant Chief.  Although these Deputy Chiefs are fully responsible for planning and directing the work of their divisions, the Assistant Chief Probation Officer is responsible for reviewing and evaluating their operations for conformance with legal mandates, departmental policies and initiatives, and good management practices.

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. Interprets County and Probation Department policies, procedures, and regulations to subordinate management personnel as they relate to probation/correctional and support operations related issues; reviews operations and ensures compliance with policy and directives.
2. Consults with and advises subordinates on problems concerning personnel and coordination of procedures and services; evaluates continuing operations and, if necessary, initiates corrective action through discussion with the Deputy Chief involved; recommends the assignment and reassignment of professional and clerical personnel to the Chief Probation Officer.
3. Prepares and administers the annual budget as directed by the Chief Probation Officer; reviews budget estimates and requests with Deputy Chiefs and the Administrative/Financial Services Manager with a view to maintaining good fiscal practice within their operational branch; will have overall responsibility concerning the annual budget.
4. Plans, organizes, and implements strategic planning, including review of correctional studies, reports, and special demonstration projects to address identified or anticipated Probation Department needs and services, facilities, and designs; responsible for implementing organizational change, restructuring or program development in the Probation Department; and confers with the Juvenile Justice Commission, Board of Supervisors, architects, and other interested parties.
5. Collaborates with the Deputy Chief and Probation Training Manager to coordinate the Probation Department's training programs; evaluates the overall effectiveness of both the annual and required training program and implements specialized training to address particular projects or newly identified department training needs and plans future training; has overall responsibility concerning Probation Department training programs.
6. Represents the Chief Probation Officer at meetings with County administrative officials, members of the Board of Supervisors, legislative bodies, boards, commissions, and various community groups and other organizations.
7. As directed by the Chief Probation Officer, the Assistant Chief reviews the work of the Administrative/Financial Services Division in preparing the annual department budget and establishes and maintains budgetary controls over expenditures, use of equipment, office space and staff; approves disbursements from department trust accounts or special department funds; discusses with the supervisor of the Central Collections Unit the more complex problems concerning the collections of monies in reimbursement, restitution, or County pay cases, and decides on action to be taken; reviews accounting procedures for efficiency and directs changes as indicated or as recommended by the Auditor-Controller's Office.
8. May act for the Chief Probation Officer in their absence.
9. Sets goals, priorities, and objectives for administrative and financial operations to ensure compliance with the Department's Mission Statement, Federal and State laws, County policies, and established professional correctional policies/ procedures; consults with Deputy Chiefs so that appropriate goals and objectives can be identified and evaluated.
10. Establishes department work priorities, reviews management reports to monitor department activities, and evaluates the work performance of division managers, may also be involved in the management of personnel discipline and administrative grievances.
11. Directs the department's resource development efforts in developing innovative probation and/or correctional programs, grant applications, projects and assists in securing potential funding; will collaborate with Deputy Chiefs and the fiscal division on their respective operational branches.
12. Implements evidence-based practices throughout areas of assigned responsibilities and directs/supervises research functions to support adherence to evidence- based practices.
13. In collaboration with department HR, may oversee labor relations and negotiation functions across divisions.
14. Responsible for determining the IT needs of operational branches and has oversight of IT and sets goals, priorities and objectives for departmental information technology function.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EITHER I

Education:

Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a field directly related to human services administration, such as Public Administration, Social Welfare, Psychology, Business Administration, or Public Service Management.

AND 

Experience:

The equivalent of three (3) years of full-time experience at the level of a Deputy Chief Probation Officer, or in an equivalent or higher-level Probation Department classification in the Alameda County classified service.

OR II

Education:

Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a field directly related to human services administration, such as Public Administration, Social Welfare, Psychology, Business Administration, or Public Service Management.

AND

Experience:

The equivalent of five (5) years of full-time supervisory administrative or managerial experience at the level of a Deputy Chief Probation Officer, which involved the supervision of a major functional division in an organization associated with the delivery of services in the fields of Probation, Corrections or other justice programs and services.

Substitution:

Possession of a master’s degree in a field directly related to Human Services Administration may be substituted for two (2) years of the required supervisory experience in Pattern II.

OR III

Experience:  

The equivalent of nine (9) years of combined managerial experience directly responsible for correctional rehabilitation programs, criminal justice programs, development and oversight, labor relations, and fiscal management at a level of Correctional Administrator/Manager, Director level or above.

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.  Possession of an automobile is required. 

Special Requirements:

All applicants must meet all minimum standards for Peace Officer under Section 1031 of the Government Code which includes:  

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) 

Must be at least 21 years of age at the time of appointment.  

Graduated from high school, attained a satisfactory score on a G.E.D. test or passed a California high school proficiency examination.  

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 a 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.  

May be required to be armed within course and scope of duties.  

Any felony conviction is disqualifying, except if granted a full and unconditional pardon from the felony conviction.  

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


Physical Requirements:

Applicant 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:

• Principles and practices of the role and function, responsibility, and authority of a County Probation Department.
• Supporting federal and state regulations impacting the delivery of Probation services, the Welfare and Institution Code, the Penal Code, health and Safety Code, Government code, State Legislation, Peace Officer Bill of Rights, and other laws and regulations relating to probation operations.
• Philosophy, principles, and practices of social casework pertaining to the investigation, evaluation, and detention of juveniles, including placement services and treatment.
• Investigation and evaluation of adult offenders sentenced to probation supervision.
• Theory, principles and practices of public sector financial administration, governmental budgeting, grants, funding proposal development, reimbursement claiming, procedures and contracts administration.
• Principles of modern organizational development, management, Human Resources development and public relations.
• Community resources and current alternative sentencing and treatment trends in the field of professional Probation, Parole and Corrections services.
• Federal and state grants, funding proposal development, reimbursement claiming procedures and contracts administration.
• Labor relations laws, practices, and trends.
• Information system concepts and advanced computer technology and terminology.
• Specialized operating system software and/or applications software.

Ability to:

• Demonstrate commitment to the County’s mission, credo, and goals.
• Continually model excellence and demonstrate vision, leadership, strong managerial skills, and innovation in a large, complex, and changing urban Probation department.
• Administer, plan, organize and direct a major administrative and financial operation in a large County-based Probation department.
• Coordinate varied and complex probation activities, in order to gain the cooperation of the professional and administrative personnel involved.
• Communicate effectively orally, and demonstrate strong writing skills by preparing clear, concise, and timely reports and correspondence.
• Establish and maintain effective collaborative working relationships with the Board of Supervisors, other elected and appointed officials, County Administrator's staff, community organization, other County departments’ management staff and others.
• Analyze and evaluate department-wide programs and administrative problems, identify alternative solutions, and recommend practical, logical, and effective solutions.
• Analyze new or proposed Federal and State legislation and to assess and report on the impact to the department's operations.
• Plan, organize and direct the multidisciplinary work of department staff, including professional and administrative support personnel.
• Maintain good public relations by being sensitive to the ethnic and cultural diversity of Alameda County's workforce, residents, and clientele, responding to identified needs, advocating for customers and clients, and stimulating community interest and promoting partnership in the delivery of all Probation programs and services.
• Work effectively as a team leader and builder.
• Use resources wisely.
• Effectively utilize a firearm.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

TT:jc  Rev: 7/94

Old doc:  1267h

New doc:  6145.doc

ys/8/01

CSC Date:  8/10/94

IB:pf  Revise 9/20/04

CSC Date:  9/29/2004

MH:cs  Revised 12/9/13

CSC Date:  1/8/14

IC:jf Revised 3/9/17

CSC Date: 3/15/17

RE:saa Revised 10/28/2022

CSC Date:11/30/2022

RE: saa Revised 03/02/2023

CSC Date:05/03/2023

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.