County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under close supervision, learns the principles and techniques of youth group work; assists in the supervision of a group of youth detained in Juvenile Hall or other Probation Department facilities; and, performs related work as required.


DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

Positions in this class work primarily at Juvenile Hall but may work in one of several Probation Department facilities as assigned by management. Incumbents are assigned tasks of a well-defined nature and their supervision lessens as they become more experienced. Incumbents may be required to work any shift, any day of the week. Incumbents also exercise care and custodial functions over a unit, dormitory and/or individual rooms.

This class is distinguished from the Juvenile Institutional Officer classification in that the latter is the journey level class performing the full range of activities associated with youth group work. Incumbents will flex promote to Juvenile Institutional Officer after successful completion of all requirements of a 12-month probationary period. Appointment at the Juvenile Institutional Officer Associate level will not exceed one year.

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. Under close supervision, the Juvenile Institutional Officer Associate organizes or supervises the leisure time activities, such as games, athletics, and crafts and encourages participation; provides instruction on the rules of various activities; referees games and organizes tournaments.

2. Maintains proper living standards and health habits by instructing in personal hygiene, overseeing daily routine hygienic practices, checking for and reporting illness, and supervising youth at meals.

3. Checks on the security and safety of the units and facility at all times; inspects windows/screens, keeps doors locked when not in use, keeps count of all youth, remains alert for any unusual noise, activity, behavior, and attempts to escape.

4. Assists in the admitting and releasing operation; performs necessary booking and record work, such as: registers and stores personal belongings, searches for weapons or other contraband articles, weighs and measures youth, checks for marks, bruises, and infection; and, outfits youth with clothing and provides instructions on the regulations and routines of the Probation facilities.

5. May transport youth between facilities, court appearances or medical appointments or other activities; may be required to patrol Probation Department facilities during the evening hours.

6. As required, may complete reports on discipline, runaway attempts, and other incidents; prepares observation reports on youth attitudes, behavior, appearance, interests, skills, progress, and needs; maintains progress reports for use within the facility; keeps the log book up to date.

7. Under close supervision, and with careful advance planning, conducts individual counseling sessions with a small assigned group; assists youth in gaining insight into him/herself and relationships to family, peers, and adults; discusses techniques and problems with supervisory and resource persons.

8. Observes conduct and behavior of youth and maintains order and discipline at all times; keeps order and silence; if necessary applies physical restraints or uses pepper spray; keeps the group occupied with constructive activities and imposes discipline when necessary, such as denial of privileges and reports the more severe disciplinary problems to the Institutional Supervisor II for disposition.

9. On an emergency basis, may provide relief for staff members at Camp Sweeney and secures intermittent coverage for additional shifts.

10. May administer testing for alcohol or drugs and searches for contraband from youth as needed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EITHER I

Experience:

The equivalent of six months full time experience as a Juvenile Institutional Officer Intermittent in the Alameda County classified service.

OR II

Experience:

The equivalent of one year of full time experience involving the organization, direction, or supervision of youth groups in correctional counseling, or in a recreational or correctional setting.

OR III

Education:

A minimum of ten college or university level courses which may be expected to provide knowledge and skills required for this position. These courses must be equal to or greater than 30 semester units or 45 quarter units successfully completed. Coursework in the field of social sciences is highly desirable.

License:

Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's license. May be required to obtain a Class "B" driver's license. A good driving record according to DMV negligent operator guidelines and qualifications for automotive insurance.

Special Requirements:

Persons appointed to positions in this class in the Probation Department must meet the minimum standards for Peace Officer Section 1031 Government Code.

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:

• Awareness of the cultural groups present in Alameda County.
• General emotional and behavioral patterns of both delinquent and non-delinquent youth and the causes of juvenile delinquency.
• Leadership techniques for directing or supervising work or leisure time activities.
• Community resources.
• First aid practices.
• Acceptable general health care and housekeeping methods.
• Security, inspection and safety necessary in a secure/non secure facility.
• Department facilities.
• Juvenile laws and departmental rules and regulations.

Skill in:

• Restraining youth.
• Administering first aid.
• Applying restraint devices such as handcuffs, etc.
• Proper use and deployment of Olerosin Capsicum (OC).

Ability to:

• Respond appropriately to hostile and aggressive behavior.
• Secure the respect and confidence of youth.
• Establish effective working relationships with supervisors and fellow workers.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Organize and supervise structured recreational and housekeeping activities appropriate to a detention setting and counseling, both in groups and with individuals.
• Work successfully with people from a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
• Diffuse crisis situations in a calm and positive manner.
• Work effectively with youth, physically, or emotionally handicapped minors, and hostile or irate persons.
• Make constructive and appropriate decisions.
• Exercise sound judgment.
• All staff are expected to be fully alert while on duty.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

Revised: 2/83

TT:lm h

Retyped: 1/85  

DF:dj  Rev. 12/94

Oldspec:  0611h.wpf

Newspec:  6214.doc

Updated:  2/27/01

Csc date:    12/14/94 

IB:pf  Revised/Retitled 6/21/04

{old title: Group Counselor I}

CSC Date:   8/16/2006

IB:po Revised 3/11/08

CSC Date:   4/23/2008

IC:cs  Revised/Retitled 6/21/16

Old Title: Juvenile Institutional Officer I

CSC Date:  9/14/16

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) 
• 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.