County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision, act as group leader in directing the activities of youths detained in Juvenile Institutions; to supervise and counsel a group youth placed in Probation facilities; may provide lead direction to entry level Juvenile Institution Officer Associates; and perform related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

The class of Juvenile Institutional Officer is a sworn, journey level in the Juvenile Institutional Officer series. Positions in this class may be located in all Probation areas including, but not limited to, Juvenile Hall, Camp Sweeney, the Court Staging Area, the Weekend Training Academy, Global Positioning Satellite (GPS), Home Supervision, the therapeutic response unit, intake, central control, and medical escort. Juvenile Institutional Officers are assigned a group of youths in one of the Probation Departments' facilities, and are responsible for all aspects of care, custody and control, and short-term counseling to youths. They may also be assigned to intensive individual and group counseling in the Probation facilities. For example, at Camp, the Juvenile Institutional Officer coordinates recreational and work programs, participates in educational and counseling programs and is regularly assigned group work with a focus on changing anti-social behavior and developing self-responsibility. The Juvenile Institutional Officer may be utilized as a lead counselor as needed.

This class is distinguished from the class of Juvenile Institutional Officer Associate in that the latter serves in a learning and supportive capacity. This class is distinguished from the Institutional Supervisor I in that the Institutional Supervisor I is the first-line supervisor on a shift and is charged with giving direction.

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.

All Juvenile Institutional Officers may perform the following duties:

1. Plans, organizes, administers and supervises a planned program of work, recreation, study, individual and/or group counseling to facilitate change in anti-social behavior and attitudes; assists juveniles in adjusting; teaches and encourages good manners, sportsmanship, and proper attitudes toward work, play and citizenship; comforts upset youth; and, issues rewards appropriately.

2. Observes and evaluates the conduct, behavior and expressed attitudes of youth and maintains order, group tone and discipline at all times. If necessary, applies physical restraints or uses pepper spray, and can impose discipline at all times. If necessary, applies physical restraints or uses pepper spray, and can impose discipline such as restrictions or denial of privileges. Reports the more severe disciplinary problems to the Institutional Supervisor I or II.

3. Conducts security checks of the buildings and grounds and deals appropriately with unauthorized personnel

4. Reviews and updates daily logbook and completes all necessary paperwork pertaining to the shift, individual or groups. Documents weekly behavior entries in youth progress folders.

5. Attends staff meetings, briefings and conferences to acquire, solicit or share information.

6. Ensures proper living standards and health habits are maintained by instructing in personal hygiene, overseeing daily routine hygienic practices, observing for and reporting illness, and by supervising youth at meals.

7. Assists in the admitting and releasing operations including intake, orientation, record work and registration.

8. Handles crisis situations using techniques learned in training.

9. Monitors and critiques youths’ daily performance.

10. Counsels youth on special problems. Reviews, investigates, and prepares responses to grievances received from the youth; completes reports on discipline, runaways, and incidents; prepares observation reports on youths’ attitudes, behavior, appearance, interests, skills, progress, and needs; maintains progress reports for use within the facilities; and, keeps the logbook up to date.

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

12. Reviews social and family history and conducts intake interviews with youth and parents or legal guardian.

13. Assists in monitoring and adjustment of treatment plans or youth with the Deputy Probation Officer, other agency staff, and/or when appropriate, with parents.

14. May provide relief for staff members in another facility and secures intermittent coverage for a.m., p.m., and graveyard shifts on an emergency basis.

15. May be assigned to being a lead.

16. Assists the supervisor in the training/orientation of new staff.

17. Maintains and monitors supplies and initiates supply requisitions.

 

Within GPS, Home Supervision, and Camp Sweeney, incumbents will perform the general Juvenile Institutional Officer duties, as well as the following:

1. Administers testing for alcohol or drugs and searches for contraband from youth as needed.


Within the Maximum Security Unit, incumbents will perform the general Juvenile Institutional Officer duties, as well as the following:

1. Responsible for overall monitoring of the operation of the unit, which includes providing direction, prioritizing, coordinating, assigning and reviewing the work of a unit of Juvenile Institutional Officer Associates.

2. Acts as liaison to the assigned Deputy Probation Officer.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EITHER I

Experience:

The equivalent of one year of full-time experience in the classification of Juvenile Institutional Officer Associate or in an equivalent or higher level probation classification in the Alameda County classified service.

OR II

 
Experience:

The equivalent of one year of full-time experience in the classification of Juvenile Institutional Officer Intermittent in the Alameda County classified service.

OR III  

Experience:

The equivalent of two years’ full-time experience in correctional casework or in recreational/correctional group work.

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:

Applicants must be at least 21 years of age at the time of appointment.

Persons appointed to positions in this class in the Probation Department must meet the minimum standards for a Peace Officer (Sec. 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:

• Principles of general psychology and child development, including behavior patterns of youth and the causes of youth delinquency.
• Principles of group and individual counseling work as applied to youth.
• Standard health and first aid practices.
• Recreational and leisure time activities.
• Procedures involved in the care, safety, and custody of youth.
• Basic laws and codes governing local welfare, penal, and institutional practices and procedures.
• Local welfare, correctional, and recreational facilities.

Skill in:

• Physically restraining youths.
• Administering first aid.
• Applying restraint devices such as handcuffs, etc.
• The appropriate use and deployment of pepper spray.

Ability to:

• Plan, supervise and direct the activities of a group of youth.
• Maintain firm discipline in a fair and tactful manner.
• Aid in the rehabilitation of youth.
• Secure and maintain the cooperation of coworkers and subordinates.
• Supervise housekeeping and recreational activities appropriate to a detention setting.
• Write accurate and meaningful observation and other types of reports.
• Maintain group control in stressful situations.
• Diffuse crisis situations in a calm and positive manner.
• Work effectively with a variety of youths and adults from various ethnic cultures, social and economic backgrounds.
• Communicate effectively with individuals or groups both orally and in writing.
• Read and interpret departmental policy and procedures.
• Make constructive and appropriate decisions.
• Exercise sound judgment.
• All staff are expected to be fully alert while on duty.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

TT:lm-h Revised: 2/83

Retyped:  3/85

TT:pb  Revised:  9/25/86

JH:sw  Revised 3/30/96

Old doc:  0613h

New doc:  6216.doc

JC:pf/Revised 1/6/00

CSC Date:  1/5/00

 ys/12/01

CSC Date:  5/13/98

IB:pf Revised 4/6/04

CSC Date:  5/26/04

IB:pf  Revised/Retitled 6/21/04

[old title:  Group Counselor III]

CSC Date:  8/16/2006

IC:cs  Revised/Retitled 6/21/16

Old Title: Juvenile Institutional Officer III

CSC Date:  9/14/16

RE: saa 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.