Deputy Probation Officer Supervising - Institution

This is a promotional recruitment only. 

You must be a current, permanent employee of Placer County to be eligible.

To supervise a group of probation officers engaged in professional probation work in a juvenile detention facility; serve as shift supervisor in the institution; review the work of probation staff, evaluating performance; counsel and coach staff; train and orient new staff; assist in the development of institution policies and procedures; provide technical expertise and perform related supervisory duties; and provide staff assistance to Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent.

This is the supervisory level in the Deputy Probation Officer - Institution series. Positions at this level have responsibility for staff working in the juvenile detention facility. Positions in this class are distinguished from the next lower level class of Senior Deputy Probation Officer – Institution by having direct and continuing supervision over probation officers, and are distinguished from this in the next higher class of Assistant Superintendent in that the latter is charged with institution-wide administrative responsibilities.  Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all institutional policies and procedures, and are not normally involved in the direct supervision of detained juveniles, but rather focus efforts on the efficient functioning of assigned unit or units.

Receives direction from the Assistant Superintendent, Superintendent, or other management staff.

Exercises direct supervision over professional, technical, and clerical staff.

• Assign, supervise and direct staff on an assigned shift; monitor institutional operations; coordinate workflow and assist in setting priorities; investigate and resolve disciplinary matters; document and resolve incidents.
• Supervise facility staff; train and orient staff; monitor and evaluate performance, coach and counsel employees, implement corrective actions, and recommend disciplinary actions.
• Act as the Probation Department’s liaison with organizations, groups, and individuals concerned with providing rehabilitative services for juvenile offenders detained at the Detention Facility and regarding general Probation matters.
• Assist in researching and developing new juvenile detention techniques and principles; may perform as a consultant or specialist in particularly difficult areas of detention facility management.
• Prepare detailed and complex reports which may be administrative, operational, or technical in nature; prepare monthly statistics and other special reports; compile annual budget numbers for special programs and grants.
• May represent the Detention Facility before interested groups and individuals.
• Maintain safety and security of wards within the County institutions.
• Develop, operate, and monitor special programs and projects undertaken by the Department.
• 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: Four years of probation officer experience, at least two of which were in a class comparable to Deputy Probation Officer II – Institution in Placer County.

Or:

Four years of probation officer experience, which includes at least one year in a class comparable to Deputy Probation Officer II – Institution and at least one of which was 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.

License or Certificate:

• Possession of the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) Juvenile Corrections Officer Core OR Juvenile Institutions Core Certificate.
• Must have successfully completed the Supervisory Probation Course of instruction certified by the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) within one year of appointment to the classification.  Must successfully complete additional required certified instruction annually thereafter.
• 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:  

• Employees in this classification are peace officers as defined by section 830.5 of the Penal Code and must satisfy the State of California criteria for peace officer status.
• 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 for the classification.
• Must meet physical standards established for County Safety employees, including a psychological examination that qualifies candidates to carry firearms.
• May be required to qualify for use of a firearm when assigned to transportation position.

Knowledge of:

• Advanced principles of criminal justice and rehabilitation probation casework, human behavior, and counseling as applied to the detention of juveniles.
• Principles and theories of human behavior.
• State and local laws and Departmental policies and procedures affecting juvenile detention and probation.
• Criminal behavior and the law.
• Principles and practices of supervision, training, and performance evaluation.
• Principles and practices of leadership, motivation, team building, and conflict resolution.
• Causes, control, and treatment techniques of crime and delinquency.

Ability to:

• Train, supervise, and evaluate staff; coach and counsel staff; develop and implement training plans; implement progressive discipline.
• Plan, organize, and direct the work of a staff.
• On an intermittent basis: analyze individual behavior and family systems; identify potential problems among juvenile detainees; interpret and understand human behavior; observe wards under supervision; problem solve situations by mediating disputes; remember past behavior and medications; and explain procedures and policies to staff and wards.
• On an intermittent basis: sit at desk while preparing reports or interviewing; walk to supervise wards within the institutions; bend and squat to book juveniles into the facility or perform searches; kneel to make arrests or file papers; climb during searches; manage physical confrontations when individuals resist arrest; 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 and diverse caseload.
• 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.
• Maintain control and custody of incarcerated wards; physically restrain and/or arrest violent wards to defuse violent situations.
• Book inmates; connect to electronic monitoring program equipment; search residences and vehicles; explain program and rules to participants; conduct field checks.
• 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.
• 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.

Oral Examination (100%)

The oral examination will be conducted by a panel of raters who will assess and rate the degree to which each applicant demonstrates the knowledge and abilities required for this classification. Applicants’ responses to a series of job related questions, as well as their education and experience, will be rated in relation to the requirements for this classification.

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 Professional - Safety bargaining unit

Minimum Qualifications Screening        3/25/2014

Oral Examination   (tentative)   Week of 4/7/2014

Establish List   (tentative)                      4/15/2014