County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under direction, to investigate violations of laws; or, to supervise an assigned detail of subordinates in routine patrol activities, in detention and corrections duties, in civil process duties, or in varied criminal justice assignments; or, to coordinate emergency services preparedness programs and volunteer activities; and to do related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This class represents the first level of supervision or specialist in the peace officer series. Positions in this class are usually assigned duties in supervising subordinates assigned to all divisions of the Department; and carrying out criminal, juvenile or department administrative investigations or performing extradition duties involving the transport of prisoners from other jurisdictions. Sergeants also train new employees in law enforcement techniques, in detention and corrections operations, in investigative procedures, in civil process, and in other areas of criminal justice assignments. Duties typically involve operating within well-defined departmental or legal procedures and include responsibility for supervision and evaluation of subordinate performance. Sergeants are responsible for assigning and training of staff and inspections of personnel, facilities, equipment and vehicles at their assigned duty stations. This class differs from the next higher class of Lieutenant by the latter having more extensive authority in the execution of administrative powers. Lieutenants generally serve as Watch Commanders or Unit Commanders. Sergeants differ from the lower class of Deputy Sheriff II by the Sergeant being a first-line supervisory class.

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.

When Assigned to Law Enforcement Services Division:

1. Receives and evaluates complaints and reports from the public and other law enforcement agencies; assigns calls to patrol units in beat areas and reassigns beat areas to maintain effective coverage; dispatches units in emergencies until relieved by superior officer; personally operates patrol car to supervise and assist patrol units and equipment; assigns warrants and other papers to be served; supervises the booking and transportation of prisoners; reads and evaluates crime and arrest reports; records personnel duty time; supervises the maintenance of departmental files such as police activity logs, report and crime files; maintains equipment reports and inventories and is responsible for evidence control.

2. Supervises subordinates in assigned County hospital security duties; maintaining security of persons and property; effects and maintains liaison with hospital administration on security matters; supervises subordinates assigned to other contract services.

3. Searches crime scenes for evidence such as fingerprints, hairs, paint and body fluids and obtains samples for laboratory identification. Interrogates victims, witnesses and informants for further information and obtains statements; and collects, preserves and marks evidence.

4. Supervises subordinates at crime scenes in searching the immediate areas, obtaining statements and preserving evidence; searches for persons wanted for criminal violations and apprehends violators.

5. Checks sources of information and attempts to obtain identification of offender; prepares report of investigation for presentation to the District Attorney and obtains complaints; appears in court to testify on results of investigation and nature of evidence.

6. Supervises subordinates assigned to assist in crime detection work; prepares reports showing progress on assigned cases; and transports prisoners to and from other jurisdictions, as required.

7. Makes follow-up investigations of cases involving juveniles and evaluates attitudes and environment, as well as the criminaI aspects of the case; reprimands and releases juvenile offenders if background indicates such action appropriate; prepares cases for presentation to the District Attorney, Probation Department, or other agency; confers and speaks to community groups interested in juvenile delinquency.

When Assigned to Detention and Corrections Division:

1. Supervises and assigns subordinates in charge of inmate work crews performing maintenance activities; acts in liaison capacity with County departments and other agencies as required in performance of duties.

2. Supervises subordinates within minimum, medium, maximum and community re-entry detention facilities in the receiving and booking of inmates; in the receipt of inmate property and money; in the assignment of inmates and the maintenance of security. Supervises the preparation and service of food to inmates; directs periodic inmate counts and inspects facilities for security, sanitation and general order.

3. Supervises the preparation, completion, submission and filing of required records, inmate files, reports, schedules and logs; notifies superior officer in the event of escapes, riot, or unusual circumstances, and directs operations until relieved.

4. Supervises the preparation of court calendars, inmate court appearances and hospital appointments, as required; arranges for inmate transport to courts and for medical care, as necessary; checks documents for authenticity and legal content.

5. Reviews and conducts hearings; investigates and adjudicates inmate disciplinary matters.

6. Supervises the release of inmates, property and money; notifies other law enforcement agencies of detainers and releases prisoners to applicable agencies.

7. Plans, administers and coordinates the educational, vocational, recreational, spiritual and personal services for the inmates in the facilities of the Sheriff's Office. Provides general supervision over recreation supervisory and clerical personnel and all public volunteer/non-volunteer personnel participating in the Inmate Services Program.

When Assigned to County-Wide Services Division:

1. Supervises subordinates in performance of clerical and technical tasks pertaining to civil process pursuant to legal code requirements; reviews civil process documents for authenticity and legal content; assigns civil process for service and timely return.

2. Provides field supervision to Deputy Sheriffs assigned to civil process service; assigns process for service and operates patrol vehicIe to assist personnel in service of civil process and complex civil actions.

3. Assigns and supervises Deputy Sheriffs working in the superior courts.

4. Supervises and assigns subordinates in the transportation of prisoners to and from superior courts, County hospitals, State and Federal institutions in the performance of extradition duties as required; and routinely inspects equipment for proper maintenance.

5. Assists in planning, writing, and coordinating the law enforcement, traffic, and military assistance elements of the County's and client cities' emergency preparedness plans; coordinates implementation of these plans locally, and at area and regional levels.

6. Assists in and/or evaluates effectiveness of operations during simulated emergency exercises.

7. Supervises subordinates and is administratively responsible for the program planning, recruiting, and training of volunteer services and programs, including Sheriff's Reserve and Search and Rescue Services.

8. Represents the Office of Emergency Services at meetings; makes presentations to various groups to encourage participation in emergency service programs.

When Assigned to Management Services Division:

1. Assists the Training Manager in planning, coordinating, organizing, implementing and monitoring mandated and non-mandated training programs for in-service, academy and reserve personnel.

2. Instructs courses on special and in-service training programs; supervises subordinates on various training activities and maintenance of training records.

3. Supervises subordinates staff in the preparation of background investigations concerning new employees and contract employees.

4. Coordinates through subordinate staff attendance at job fairs and other recruiting events.

5. Coordinates physical agility testing for Sheriff’s Recruit and Deputy Sheriff applicants.

When Assigned as the Public Information Officer:

1. Handles calls from the press regarding department matters; prepares press releases; coordinates media coverage and acts as the department spokesperson on matters of public interest.

When Assigned to the Internal Affairs Section:

1. Conducts investigations of allegations against department personnel; examines and evaluates complaints of misconduct and prepares report of findings.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience:

Candidates must have completed their probationary period as a member of the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office and possess the following:

Either I

The equivalent of three years’ full-time continuous experience as a Deputy Sheriff I/II in the Alameda County classified service. (Non-classified includes District Attorney’s Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts.)

Or II

The equivalent of five years’ full-time California law enforcement experience, which must include a minimum of two years as a Deputy Sheriff I/II in the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office and possession of an Advanced Certificate issued by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training.

License:

Possession of a valid California State Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

Special Requirement:

Federal law and County policy requires that certain positions in the class of Sergeant which require a commercial driver's license and the performance of duties defined as "safety sensitive" are subject to post-offer/pre-placement/pre-duty, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, random, return-to-duty and follow-up drug and alcohol testing.

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:

• Rules of evidence, current legal decisions, laws of arrest, and other laws, ordinances, codes, and regulations pertinent to law enforcement and detention.
• Modern methods of crime detection.
• Modern law enforcement principles and practices.
• Civil process and procedures, jail procedures and custody, patrol procedures, criminal investigation procedures and crime prevention methods.
• Department organization, function, rules and regulations.
• Weapons and their use.
• Officer survival techniques.
• Minimum jail standards.
• Supervisory practices.

Abilities:

• Written communication.
• Oral communication.
• Decision making.
• Analysis and problem solving.
• Management control.
• Leadership.
• Interpersonal sensitivity.
• Flexibility.
• Adaptation to stress.
• Supervision of personnel

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

GB:nw 9/72
Rev.JE:aw-2/79
Rev.JE:nt-l/82
Rev.HC:ab-8/83
Rev.HC:ab-9/84
JH:jc
Updated: 6/95
RE:jc
Revised 2/99
Old document: 0814h
New document: Jobspecs/8617
ys/2/01
CSC Date: 3/3/99

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.