Human Resource Services
Alameda Skyline

Deputy Probation Officer I

Recruitment #12-6108-01

Introduction

Please read this entire recruitment document.  There is important information regarding testing processes and access to a test information booklet.

The Probation Department has openings for the position of

DEPUTY PROBATION OFFICER I

Probation Department Mission Statement

The Alameda County Probation Department, as a partner in the criminal justice system, protects and serves our diverse community, offers services to victims, and provides rehabilitative opportunities to offenders in compliance with State law.

The Probation Department is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Deputy Probation Officer I.  This position is an entry-level class which under close supervision will perform investigative and supervision duties associated with adult or juvenile defendants or court wards.  Incumbents will assist the courts in making detention and sentencing decisions, aid in the social rehabilitation of juveniles and adult offenders, ensuring compliance with court orders, conducting fact finding investigations; representing the Probation Department in court, within institutions, foster homes, and a variety of community agencies; may act as a substitute for a full-time Court Officer, and perform intensive casework counseling, and related work as required.  Deputy Probation Officer I's are expected to promote to the Deputy Probation Officer II classification upon completion of the 18-month training  period, successful completion of the STC Basic Probation Officer Training Course, and successful job performance.

The Probation Department

The Alameda County Probation Department is an essential element of the County’s system of public protection and human services.  The Department’s role is to reduce the impact of crime in the community by providing accurate, comprehensive and timely information and recommendations to the Courts, providing community-based sanctions and treatment for offenders, and working cooperatively with law enforcement agencies and community organizations with similar objectives.  The Department provides a wide range of mandated and discretionary investigative, advisory, and supervisory services to adult and juvenile probationers  pursuant to State law and the County Charter.

Alameda County places a strong emphasis on juvenile delinquency prevention services.  The Department operates, in collaboration with schools and community organizations, a Community Probation Program focusing on juvenile males in the system, and gender specific services to female juvenile offenders.

The Department operates a 24-hour Juvenile Hall detention facility in San Leandro with a rated capacity of 360 juveniles with current staffing for 300 youth.  Juvenile Hall provides through collaboration alternatives to detention with Home Supervision, Electronic Monitoring, GPS, and Weekend Training Academy programs. The Department also runs Camp Wilmont Sweeney, a community placement facility.  The camp is a 24-hour open setting residential treatment program.  In FY2009-10 the Department supervised an average of 3,226 juvenile cases per month and had 176 minors in placement. 

DESCRIPTION

In addition to the minimum qualifications listed below, the ideal candidate will have:    

  • Exceptional communication skills, both in writing, with demonstrated attention to detail and orally.  Additionally, must possess the ability to communicate effectively with a wide variety of stakeholders, including but not limited to court personnel, departmental staff, youth and adult offenders, individuals from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds and service providers.
  • Remarkable organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize tasks and issues and to accomplish multiple projects simultaneously. 
  • A keen awareness of the challenges of balancing the competing roles as peace officer, advocate, representative of the Probation Department, and a collaborator with family, providers, caregivers, community agencies and various stakeholders.
  • A proven track record as an excellent decision maker, with a history of choosing and/or recommending appropriate courses of action by considering all implications and consequences.  Must have the ability to take prompt action to achieve objectives  and work proactively to identify and address issues.
  • A positive attitude that can be summed up as a ‘can-do’ approach with a passion for the work, a readiness to take part and be a contributing team member, a strong work ethic, a willingness to learn and openness to new ideas.
  • Proven resilience and stress tolerance demonstrated by maintaining calm and professional performance when faced with extremely difficult individuals, time pressures, adversity, opposition or unsafe conditions.  Must have the ability to remain focused and composed in difficult situations.
  • The highest ethical standards and must strive to uphold public trust by adhering to laws, rules, and demonstrating honesty and integrity, and modeling these qualities for the clients under his or her supervision.

For a detailed listing of the position of Deputy Probation Officer I duties, please see the complete job description at the following link: Deputy Probation Officer I Job Specification.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

DEPUTY PROBATION OFFICER I

Education:

Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

License:

All candidates must possess a valid California Class "C" Motor Vehicle Operator's license. Good driving record according to DMV negligent operator guidelines and qualifications for automotive insurance.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

All applicants must meet all minimum standards for Peace Officer under Section 1031 of the California Government Code which includes: Must be at least 21 years of age at the time of appointment.

Persons appointed to positions in these classifications must be citizens of the United States or have applied for citizenship and must meet all other minimum requirements for Peace Officer (per Section 1031 of the Government Code).

A thorough background investigation will be made of all prospective Deputy Probation Officers. A record of any felony conviction will result in disqualification.

Fingerprinted for purposes of search of local, state and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record.

Candidates must be found free from any physical, emotional or mental condition which might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of an armed Peace Officer, as determined by a licensed examining authority in accordance with the California Government Code.

Within the prescribed time limit after date of appointment, satisfactory completion of training for probation officers as specified by the California Board of Corrections, Peace Officer Standards and Training PC 832 and any other training required under law.

Candidates must demonstrate a willingness to perform work requiring irregular hours, holidays and weekends.

Must be willing to work all positions, locations and shifts.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must satisfactorily pass a thorough medical examination for Peace Officers and a psychological evaluation before job placement can take place.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

The most suitably qualified candidates will possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Usual causes of crime and delinquency.
• Elementary psychodynamics of behavior and modes of adjustment.
• Interviewing techniques and effective application of interviewing.
• Intermediate and basic math, plus fractions, decimals, and percentages.
• Principles of supervision.
• Applicable State, Federal and local statutes, ordinances, rules, policies, standard codes, and their interrelationship.
• Training and learning theory techniques, including recreational activity.
• Principles, methods, procedures and facilities used in modern progressive correctional programs, including methods of social casework.
• Cultural relativity and cultural differences.
• Understanding of minority group cultures.
• Concepts and effective techniques in facilitating socio-cultural relationships.
• Social economic and psychological factors, forces and trends relating to crime, delinquency, and social adjustment.
• Social and correctional case and group work.
• Developmental theory and social theory relating to rehabilitation.
• Counseling and guidance principles and principles of normal and abnormal psychology and personality theory.
• Theory, principles and trends of probation work.
• Principles and findings of normal and abnormal psychology.
• Principles, techniques and trends in social and correctional case and group work.
• General provisions of the law relating to the legal rights and obligations of adults and juveniles.
• Causes, extent of crime and delinquency.
• Techniques and methods of investigating and supervising adult and juvenile offenders.
• Service of public and private agencies available to probationers.
• Organization and procedures of the Alameda County Probation Department.
• Operation of Municipal and Superior Courts.
• Automated Systems and its applications.
• Information systems and personal computers.

Ability to:

• Verbally communicate, sufficient to communicate with a variety of people in various ethnic, educational and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Effectively apply interviewing skills, including listening skills.
• Speak publicly including planning and preparation of material and effective presentation, principles of group work and group dynamics.
• Proofread for grammar, punctuation, spelling and typographical errors.
• Define problems, collect information, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions to formulate recommendations and solve a wide variety of intellectual and practical problems.
• Write clearly, accurately and concisely, using grammatically correct English to convey ideas in written reports, letters, memoranda, etc.
• Read and interpret complex technical and legal documents in English, such as codes, psychological and medical documents, manuals, etc.
• Organize and manage a caseload.
• Be flexible and tolerant in adjusting to changes in workload assignments and work under the stress of meeting deadlines.
• Demonstrate interpersonal techniques relating to establishing rapport, tactfulness, controlling stress, gaining confidence and dealing with emotional stress.
• Follow oral and written instructions.
• Be willing to accept and follow direction.
• Understand one's self and have self-control in relation to self and others (self-awareness).
• Establish and maintain good objective working relationships with clients to determine needs in individual situations and take an effective course of action.
• Analyze complex emotional and behavioral disorders and carry out treatment plans.
• Exercise skilled judgment in the assessment and treatment of probationers, families, and dependent children.
• Establish effective and productive relationships with others.
• Access multiple information systems in order to research pertinent data.
• Function in an automated work environment.
• Effectively utilize self defense techniques.
• Effectively utilize a firearm.

Skill in:

• Restraining an individual for the purpose of arrest and/or detention and conduct related searches.
• Applying restraint devices such as handcuffs.
• Administering first aid and CPR.

EXAMINATION COMPONENTS

Alameda County utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit.  Such a system is competitive and based on broad recruitment efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to test in an examination process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position.  Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, the eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position.  Other recruitments many be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work.
To learn more about our recruitment and selection process, please visit the “What You Need to Know” section of our website, www.acgov.org/hrs.
We reserve the right to make changes to the announced selection process.

Selection Plan

Applicants will be informed via email with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance.  The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the Agency:

TENTATIVE SELECTION PLAN

Deadline for Filing:  Monday, April 16, 2012 (Applications will be accepted on-line only)

Application will be reviewed to determine that candidates meet the Minimum Qualifcations by April 23, 2012 Your supplemental questionnaire must be fully completed in order to be considered for the next phase of the selection process.

Written Examination: Week of April 30, 2012

Written Assessment:  Week of May 14, 2012

Type of Exam: New Open Assembled

  1. Review applications and supplemental questionnaires to determine those candidates who meet the minimum qualifications.
  2. All candidates meeting the minimum qualifications will be invited to take a written exam during the week of April 30, 2012.
  3. Candidates passing the written exam will be invited to take a writing assessment the week of May 14, 2012.
  4. Those candidates passing the writing assessment will be placed on a ranking list to participate in the next steps of the selection process.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to regularly check their e-mail for any notices from the department.

Applicants must receive a passing score on the written examination to be invited to take the writing assessment and must receive a passing score on the writing assessment to be placed on an employment ranking list.

A "Candidate Orientation Booklet" is available for this exam.  The booklet provides an overview of the exam format and some sample questions. The booklet is not intended to be a study guide but is aimed at reducing test anxiety and giving candidates some information about what to expect on the test.

To access the booklet, go to http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/CSA/Index.html. (The website for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.) Click on the link to " Standards and Guidelines for Selection of Entry-Level Positions" on the right. On the new page scroll down to the link  "Candidate Orientation Booklet - Probation Officer (PDF format)" and print the document.

This booklet is only available through the web site listed above. 

PLEASE NOTE: Alameda County Human Resources Department does not have copies of this booklet.

  • All candidates for the job of Deputy Probation Officer I must successfully complete the following (after passing the written exam and writing assessment): BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION includes an interview and a thorough check of police records, personal, military, and employment histories, and inquiry of persons who know you and evaluate whether you: respect the law and rights of others; are dependable and responsible; have demonstrated mature judgment in areas such as the use of drugs and intoxicants; are honest; and are a safe driver.
  • After a conditional offer of employment has been accepted, appointee must successfully complete the following:
  • PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAMINATION is given by a licenced clinician. You will be evaluated on the psychological factors related to successful performance to determine if you are presently suited for the difficult and stressful job of Deputy Probation Officer.
  •  MEDICAL EXAMINATION

The appointee must satisfactorily complete a probationary period.

The Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate qualified individuals with mental and physical disabilities, and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, and Alameda County Resolution No. R-83-773.  To request an accommodation due to a disability during this or other phases of the selection process, please contact the Human Resource Services Department at (510) 272-6472 before the final filing deadline. Alameda County Human Resources Services will require documentation to substantiate a request for reasonable accommodation. In order to qualify for a reasonable accommodation, applicants must have a permanent disability pursuant to the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's statute of the Americans with Disability Act of 1990, as amended, and/or the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) Act.

For more information regarding our Reasonable Accommodation procedures, please visit our website, www.acgov.org/hrs

BENEFITS

ABOUT THE COUNTY

Alameda County, located on the east side of San Francisco Bay, is California’s seventh-largest county.  The County employs 9,080 full-time employees and operates on an annual budget of $2.39 billion.  Oakland, the County seat, is California’s eighth largest city.  One and a half million people call Alameda County home and live in a variety of incorporated cities, unincorporated communities and rural areas.  As a major urban county, Alameda provides a full range of services to its citizens.  The County is a blend of culturally and ethnically diverse communities, and its mixture of cosmopolitan and suburban areas provides the perfect environment for families and their active lifestyles.  The County offers extensive cultural resources, countless recreational opportunities and an array of fine public and private colleges and universities.

 

BENEFITS FOR NON-MANAGEMENT POSITIONS

MEDICAL PLANS

The County offers HMO and PPO medical plans.  The County has two contributions structures, 1) County contributes 100% of the lowest cost HMO; or 2) County contributes 90% of the HMO plans and 90% of the lowest cost HMO towards the PPO.  The County contribution can be prorated based on the number of work hours up to 50% of the standard hours in a pay period.  If an eligible employee waives all medical coverage through the County, a monthly stipend may be provided.

DENTAL PLANS

The County offers two Dental Plans: PPO and Dental Maintenance Option (DMO). The County contributes 100% of the family coverage for both plans as long as the employee works at least 50% of the standard hours in a pay period. The PPO option plan design is 100% Preventative, 80% Basic Care, 80% Major Care with a $45 per individual deductible and annual maximum up to  $1,450 per year.  The DMO option has an orthodontic benefit for children as well as adults.

VISION BENEFIT

The County offers two Voluntary Vision Plans through Vision Service Plan (VSP) for eligible employees.  The two plans consist of a low option and a high option that offer annual eye exams and coverage for various frames and lenses.  The Voluntary Vision Plan is 100% employee paid and is available for employees and their dependents.  In addition, an annual eye exam is covered for participants in the HMO Medical Plans with corresponding co-pay. 

A Vision Reimbursement Plan is available for some union bargaining units who have a provision in their Memorandum of Understanding that after six months of continuous service, Vision Reimbursement for eye lenses or contacts is provided up to a set dollar amount. This vision reimbursement benefit is available to employees only.

COUNTY ALLOWANCE DOLLARS

The County provides up to $300 of flex dollars annually, dependent upon the eligible employee's represented or unrepresented classification.  These flex dollars can be used to pay for medical premiums.  The unused portion of these flex dollars are deposited into a Health Flexible Spending Account for the employee, which can be used for unreimbursed medical expenses. 

HEALTH FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT

Employees may opt to salary contribute on a pre-tax basis up to $5,000 for eligible out of pocket medical, dental and vision expenses such as: prescription co-pays, office visit co-pays, prescription eye glasses or contact lenses.

DEPENDENT CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

For employees who have either children under age 13 or dependents (parent, sibling or in-law incapable of self-care) that are dependent upon the employee for care can salary contribute on a pre-tax basis up to $5,000 annually. These pre-tax dollars can be used to pay for day care expenses provided by a licensed facility.

LIFE INSURANCE

The County pays for a Basic Life Insurance policy of $9,000 up to $20,000 for an employee based on the affiliation with their appropriate union.

COMMUTER BENEFITS

For the 2011 Plan Year, an employee can set aside up to $230 a month in pre-tax dollars to pay for qualified work-related parking and commuting to and from work transit fees.

HOLIDAYS

Most employees are provided 11 paid holidays plus four floating holidays dependent upon the union bargaining unit.

VACATION AND SICK LEAVE WITH PAY

Vacation accrual ranges from two weeks to five weeks depending upon years of service and the union bargaining unit to which the position is assigned. Sick leave accruals are based on the union bargaining unit and are defined in the corresponding Memorandum of Understanding.

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)

The County has an EAP available for employees, spouses/domestic partners and eligible dependents.  This program provides services such as: counseling, financial consulting, child and elder care consulting and some legal counseling.

DISABILITY or INCOME REPLACEMENT

Two voluntary plans are offered: Short-term Disability and Long-term Disability can be purchased through a payroll deduction or with accrued vacation hours depending upon the union bargaining unit.

LONG TERM CARE

This voluntary benefit extends care for yourself and/or your spouse and/or your parents who experience a serious accident, chronic illness or frailties of old age. Places where care can be provided are: in one’s home, at a nursing home, at an assisted living facility or adult day care center.

 

RETIREMENT

The County retirement program is a Defined Benefit plan and is governed under the provisions of the 1937 Act systems. The County’s retirement is based on one’s age upon entrance, compensation, years of service and specific percentage of employee/employer contributions with the County’s portion vesting after five years of employment.
 
DEFERRED COMPENSATION

The County offers a Deferred Compensation program where an eligible employee can voluntarily contribute on a pre-tax basis, a minimum of $20 per pay period up to the total annual contribution limit.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

VETERAN’S PREFERENCE
Those claiming additional preference points as a VETERAN must submit a copy of the DD214 form on the day of the oral examination. Those claiming additional preference points as a DISABLED VETERAN must submit a copy of the DD214 form and a letter from the Department of Veteran Affairs confirming eligibility for additional points on the day of the oral examination.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
The Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination process to accommodate qualified individuals with mental and physical disabilities, and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disability Act (ADA) of 1990, and Alameda County Resolution No. R-83-773.  To request reasonable accommodation, you must notify the Human Resource Representative listed on this bulletin as soon as possible and before the last day to file, in order to make the necessary arrangements during each step of the examination process.                                                               (510) 272-3703 (TDD)

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER
All government employees are disaster service workers as defined by California Government Code Section 3100.  In addition to everyday duties, employees have the added responsibility of helping throughout any disaster. 

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION
An applicant’s previous employment may be investigated.  Results of this investigation may be cause for disqualification.  Also, all convictions will be reviewed and may result in a request for additional information or termination of employment.  A conviction record will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from employment.  Each case will be given individual consideration, based on job-relatedness.

MEDICAL EXAMINATION
All prospective county employees must pass a medical examination before beginning employment.  For positions which require a commercial driver’s license and the performance of functions defined as “safety sensitive,” Federal law and County policy requires that the examination include a drug screening process.  Offers of employment are conditional upon successful completion of this examination.

Alameda County is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.  Women, ethnic and racial minorities and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  Applicants will be considered without regard to their race, color, religion, sex national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, or any other non-job-related factor.

Conclusion

All notices related to County recruitments for which you have applied will be sent/delivered via email. Please add @acgov.org and alamedacountyHR@acgov.org as accepted addresses to any email blocking or spam filtering program you may use. If you do not do this, your email blocking or spam filtering program may block receipt of the notices regarding your application for recruitments. You are also strongly advised to regularly log into your County of Alameda online application account to check for notices that may have been sent to you. All email notices that will be sent to you will also be kept in your personal online application account. You will be able to view all of your notices in your online application account by clicking on the "My applications" button on the Current Job Openings page.
Please take the steps recommended above to ensure you do not miss any notices about a recruitment for which you have applied. The County of Alameda is not responsible for notices that are not read, received or accessed by any applicant for a County recruitment.
NOTE: All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email box alamedacountyHR@acgov.org are routed to an unmonitored mailbox. All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email box are routed to an unmonitored mailbox. If you have questions please go to our website at www.acgov.org/hrs. You may also contact the Human Resources Analyst listed on the job announcement for the recruitment for which you have applied.

Ione Bell, Human Resources Analyst
Human Resource Services, County of Alameda
510-272-6456