Deputy Probation Officer II - Field

Placer County is currently recruiting for Deputy Probation Officer II - Field.

Qualified applicants will be notified of their scheduled date and time for the written examination based on the following:

• Applications received by 5:00 pm Friday, June 21, 2013, will be scheduled to take the written examination on Thursday, July 11, 2013.
• Applications received by 5:00 pm Friday, July 26, 2013, will be scheduled to take the written examination on Wednesday, August 21, 2013.

This recruitment will be used to fill both open and promotional vacancies in the Probation Department as they arise, subject to specific position requirements and CEO approval.

To investigate cases of juvenile delinquency or adult applicants for probation; and to supervise and counsel juveniles and adults on probation.

This is the full journey level class within the Deputy Probation Officer – Field series.  This class is distinguished from the Deputy Probation Officer I – Field by the assignment of the full range of duties in both court and field supervision of adults or juveniles.  Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit.  Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the entry level after two years of satisfactory performance.

This class is distinguished from the Senior Deputy Probation Officer - Field in that the latter is assigned to technically complex and difficult assignments, may serve as a lead over a small unit or program. 

Receives general supervision from a Supervising Deputy Probation Officer - Field or Probation Manager; may receive technical and functional supervision from a Senior Deputy Probation Officer - Field.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: 

• Interview adults or juveniles, their families, and interested individuals; read police reports and other psychological and medical evaluations; interview victims; make recommendations about 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.
• Conduct investigations in all juvenile matters referred to the Probation Department; analyze information and act in accordance with State law and Departmental policy; draw affidavits for referral to the District Attorney.
• Represent the Probation Department in the various pre-adjudicatory hearings; prepare court reports making recommendations for dispositions; make reports to the courts on probationers’ progress, recommending modification, dismissal, or revocation where necessary.
• Investigate adult referrals from the courts; conduct pre-sentence investigations and prepare written reports and recommendations for the courts; appear in court to represent the Probation Department at various hearings.
• Act as Juvenile Intake Officer and Citation Hearing Officer; investigate and confer with the District Attorney; make recommendations to the court regarding release or detention pending further court actions; conduct probationary citation hearings for juveniles cited for misdemeanors with no prior record.
• Conduct risk assessment on probationers and recommend level of supervision; supervise adults and juveniles in the field, in the office, and through review of reports; monitor the activities and treatment programs of juvenile and adult probationers; enforce court orders and conditions of probation; file violations of probation when probation conditions are not met; and execute arrests.
• Maintain an intensive caseload with high-risk juveniles and engage in a therapeutic relationship with the client. 
• Establish contacts and work in close association with community agencies in developing and coordinating treatment programs for juvenile and adult probationers.
• Present delinquency prevention programs to schools and community groups.
• Serve as home supervision officer or diversion officer, working closely with allied agencies.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

It is the applicant's responsibility to identify in their application materials how they meet the Minimum Qualifications listed below.

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 probation officer experience in a class comparable to Deputy Probation Officer I – Field in Placer County.

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

License or Certificate:

• Training required under Section 832 of the Penal Code (Search and Seizure) must be successfully completed within 90 days of employment.
• 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.
• Must successfully complete the minimum number of hours of annual training as certified by the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) in any year in which the incumbent is not enrolled in basic, supervisory, management, or administrators course.  The annual training is designed as continuing education to update knowledge and improve skills.

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.

NOTE: Applicants receiving their degree outside the United States must submit proof of accreditation by a recognized evaluation agency.

In addition to the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities for Deputy Probation Officer I - Field (see posting for Deputy Probation Officer I - Field, 2013-14406-01):

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of modern adult and juvenile probation work.
• State and local laws and ordinances and Departmental policy and procedures affecting probation work.
• Causes, control, and treatment techniques of crime and delinquency.
• Modern casework techniques applicable to probation work.

Ability to:

• Understand and deal effectively with probation applicants and probationers.
• Exercise good judgment in evaluating behavior of probationers.
• Prepare and deliver oral presentations to the court.
• Analyze and respond to court orders; determine eligibility of individuals to special programs offered by the Department.
• Obtain information through interview and interrogation and deal fairly and courteously with the public.
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine proper course of action; act quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Work independently with minimal supervision.

Written Examination (100%) 

The written examination consists of the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC)  standardized exam.  Additional information and a study guide for this examination may be found on the BSCC website at http://www.bscc.ca.gov/programs-and-services/stc/services/stc-forms-and-publications.   Click on  "STC Publications" and scroll down to "Selection Exam Probation Officer Candidate Orientation Booklet."

Prior to the date of hire, applicants for regular full and part-time positions must pass a medical examination which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation. Applicants for extra help positions may be subject to a drug screening. All applicants must sign a constitutional oath, submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S. and be fingerprinted. For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, be bonded or undergo a background check.

All new permanent employees, with the exception of sworn law enforcement and management, shall be required to join the employee organization or pay an 'Agency Fee' as a condition of employment.

The eligible list(s) resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification.  For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Placer County now offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please visit our website at: http://www.jobaps.com/placer/sup/abfreenames.asp.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment and retaliation is prohibited and that all employees and applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All recruitment, hiring, transfer and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of sex, sexual orientation, race, color, ancestry, religious creed, national origin, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, or any other classification protected by federal, state or local laws or ordinance. Please contact the Personnel Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change.  It is advisable that applicants inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Personnel Department.

Click here to view benefits for the Professional - Safety Bargain Unit

Candidates submitting applications by 6/21/2013 at 5:00 pm:

7/11/2013    Written Examination

7/24/2013    Eligible list established (tentative date)

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Candidates submitting applications by 7/26/2013 at 5:00 pm:

8/21/2013    Written Examination

9/04/2013    Eligible list established (tentative date)