Placer County

To perform the more difficult or unusual juvenile or adult probation casework; to be a specialist in a particularly difficult area of probation work or act as a lead over a unit or small program; and to provide staff assistance to assigned Supervising Deputy Probation Officer – Field or Probation Manager.

This is the advanced journey level class in the Deputy Probation Officer - Field series for the court and supervision units.  This is the highest non-supervisory class in the Probation Officer series.  Positions at this level are distinguished from other classes within the series by the level of responsibility assumed, complexity of duties, and by the nature of the public contact made.  Employees perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties assigned to classes within this series, including acting as a specialist or as a lead over a unit or small program.  Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned area of responsibility. This class is distinguished from the Deputy Probation Officer II – Field in that this is the lead or specialist level. It is distinguished from the Supervising Deputy Probation Officer in that the latter has full supervisory responsibility for a unit, while the former has lead responsibility or serves as a technical specialist. 

Receives direction from a Supervising Deputy Probation Officer - Field or Probation Manager.

May exercise technical and functional supervision over clerical, technical and/or entry-level professional staff.

• In difficult and unusual cases, interview adults or juveniles, their families, and interested individuals; determine the type and extent of their needs and problems; and make recommendations upon advisability of probation; when probation is indicated, formulate plans of probation and make recommendations to the court on plans for the adjustment and rehabilitation of the offender; perform field supervision services; and enforce court orders. 
• Write adult and juvenile diversion and pre-sentence investigation reports for the courts; appear in court for sentencing on Superior Court cases. 
• Provide lead supervision over a unit or small program; coordinate work flow and assist in setting priorities; act as a liaison with the local community, outside agencies, and the County.
• Plan, organize, and supervise a caseload; review court reports to ensure compliance with laws and Departmental guidelines; review staff requests to make arrests, transport prisoners, conduct searches, and other related activities; supervise or personally assist in the transportation of wards in and out of the State. 
• Supervise and monitor defendants on the electronic monitoring program; when necessary, search residences and vehicles; work with contractor to install electronic monitoring equipment; set up monitoring schedule with defendants. 
• Act as the Probation Department’s liaison with, and may provide consulting services for, organizations, groups, and individuals concerned with providing rehabilitative services for juvenile or adult offenders. 
• Conduct juvenile traffic hearings for minors and impose appropriate penalties for violations; conduct Juvenile Citation Hearings and supervise the Adult Work Release Program. 
• Assist in researching and developing new probation casework techniques and principles; may perform as a consultant or specialist in particularly difficult areas of probation work. 
• May represent the Probation Department before interested groups and individuals. 
• Develop, operate, and monitor special programs and projects undertaken by the Department. 
• Review court reports to ensure compliance with laws and Departmental guidelines. 
• May be assigned as assistant to a Supervising Deputy Probation Officer - Field, filling in during absence. 
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Two years of experience in a class comparable to Deputy Probation Officer II - Field in Placer County.

Training: Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in criminal justice, corrections, or a closely related field.

Required License or Certificate:

• Possession of the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) Basic Probation Officer certificate.
• Must successfully complete additional required certified instruction annually.
• Must maintain a valid First Aid and CPR certificate.
• May need to possess a valid driver’s license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Special Requirements:

• Must be at least 21 years of age upon appointment.
• Must meet minimum standards required for Peace Officers as set forth in Section 1029 and 1031 of the Government Code.
• Must meet the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) standards in Title 15, Sections 130-132.
• Must pass a background investigation.
• Must meet physical standards established for County Safety employees, including a psychological examination.
• Must qualify for use of a firearm when assigned to a field position.

Knowledge of:

• Pinciples of probation casework and counseling, as applied to the probation field.
• Principles and theories of human behavior.
• State and local laws and Departmental policies and procedures affecting probation work.
• Operation, process, and terminology of the Courts.
• Principles and practices of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.

Ability to:

• On an intermittent basis, analyze individual behavior and family systems; identify potential problems among clients; interpret and understand human behavior; problem solve situations by mediating disputes; remember past behavior; and explain procedures and policies to juveniles and adults.
• On an intermittent basis, sit at desk while preparing reports or interviewing; stand to conduct field contacts; bend and squat to perform searches; kneel to make arrests or file papers; climb during searches; manage physical confrontations when individuals resist arrest; use fine hand manipulation for handcuff, weapons, and computer use; visual, auditory, and sense of smell needed for supervision of wards and probationers; and lift very heavy weight.
• Exercise skilled judgment in the assessment and treatment of probationers and families; effectively manage a large, complex, and diverse case load.
• Analyze situations accurately and objectively; adopt an effective course of action; work effectively in stressful situations; resolve conflicts in an effective manner; obtain information through interview and interrogation.
• Perform crisis intervention; give individual counseling and understand counseling techniques and methods.
• Perform arrest, search, and seizure activities safely and within the confines of the law.
• Synthesize complex information into a formal recommendation to the court; write clear and concise court reports.
• Be sensitive to various cultural and ethnic groups present in the community.
• Use and care for small firearms and other law enforcement equipment and tools as assigned.
• Act quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Maintain good physical, emotional, and mental condition to satisfactorily perform the functions of the position.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.