Probation Officer I

sjgov•Stockton, CA

About The Position

This examination is being given to fill several vacancies in the San Joaquin County Probation Department and to establish an eligible list which may be used to fill future vacancies. Please note : Potential new hires into this classification are required to successfully pass a pre-employment physical examination, a pre-employment drug screen and a background investigation as a condition of employment. Final appointment cannot be made unless the eligible candidate has passed the drug screen, physical and successfully completed the background process. The County pays for the initial drug screen and physical. Candidates who pass the written exam will be invited to attend a mandatory orientation, where they will be given the Personal History Statement (PHS) - background packet - and instructions for completing it. To preview the PHS, click on the link to the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) form 2-251: Peace Officer For candidates who have taken the BSCC Selection Exam for Adult Corrections Officer (ACO), Juvenile Corrections Officer (JCO) and Probation Officer (PO) Classifications for Local Corrections within the last 12 months, and achieved a T-score of 47 or above, San Joaquin County will allow you to submit the T-score received in lieu of retaking the written exam. The employment application for San Joaquin County must still be submitted and must meet the minimum qualifications for Probation Officer I in San Joaquin County. The BSCC T-score must be on agency letterhead and must show the name of the agency that administered the exam, the name of the exam, the date the exam was given and the candidate's name. The T-score letter may be submitted with the employment application as an attachment in the Resume section of the application, or emailed to: [email protected]. POST exam T-scores (PELLETB) are not accepted in lieu of taking this exam . Supporting a Safer, Stronger Community The San Joaquin County Probation Department is committed to increasing public safety, supporting victims, and reducing recidivism through client accountability and support; thereby making our community safer and stronger. We are dedicated to inspiring positive change by delivering proven evidence-based practices, which assist clients in identifying a path to productive life choices. San Joaquin County Probation has a shared set of values. We value excellence, importance of the individual, team concept, ethical conduct, professionalism, importance of community and a safe and healthy environment. NOTE: All correspondences relating to this recruitment will be delivered via e-mail. The e-mail account used will be the one provided on your employment application during time of submittal. Please be sure to check your e-mail often for updates. If you do not have an e-mail account on file, Human Resources will send you correspondences via US Mail.

Requirements

Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university, preferably with a degree in administration of justice, corrections, psychology, sociology, counseling or a related social or behavioral science. Applicants enrolled in their last semester/quarter will be accepted to the examination process but must provide evidence of graduation prior to being certified from the eligibility list.
License: Possession of a valid California driver’s license.
Training Requirements: Employees in this class 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. Appointees will be required to meet state-mandated CORE training requirements as defined by Standards and Training in Corrections (STC). As part of this requirement, employees must successfully complete probation officer CORE training during the first year of appointment.
Special Requirements: (1) must be at least 21 years of age upon appointment; (2) must meet minimum standards required for Peace Officers as set forth in Section 1029 and 1031 of the Government Code; (3) must pass a background investigation; (4) must meet physical standards established for County Safety employees, including a psychological examination; and (5) must qualify for use of a firearm when assigned to a field position.
Principles of written and oral communication including a thorough knowledge of language mechanics, syntax, and composition; principles and methods of logic and data organization; mathematics, basic statistics and research methods; principles and theories of sociology and psychology, particularly those related to assessment and adjustment of adult and juvenile personality development, behavior patterns and motivation; group and family dynamics; basic interviewing and investigation techniques; basic social casework practice, educational norms, treatment modalities and crisis intervention; basic concepts of law enforcement as well as probation and court practices; basic knowledge of socio-economic, psychosocial, and cultural influences on individual behavior.
Learn to make recommendations based upon investigative results; learn to manage a probation caseload; learn to prepare, review and edit comprehensive court reports and case files; learn to interpret, explain and apply applicable laws, codes and regulations; learn to make sound decisions in emergency or crisis situations; learn to work with and obtain the cooperation of juvenile and adult probationers, their families and concerned government and private agencies; read and comprehend complex written material involving difficult concepts and issues; gather and analyze data; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; pay attention to detail; operate a computer; use a firearm; work a variety of shifts, as assigned; establish and maintain effective working relationships with other probation staff, law enforcement officials, the public, and others.

Responsibilities

Learns to conduct probation investigations and make reports to the Court; researches case histories; interprets a variety of complex technical materials including medical, legal, financial and scientific reports and documents; interviews clients, families, victims, schools, and others to formulate goals and treatment plans for clients; compiles data, establishes facts, draws valid conclusions and submits recommendations.
Learns to represent the Department during Court proceedings by making persuasive presentations of facts, defending recommendations and testifying as a witness; prepares, files and/or serves legal papers.
Learns to supervise a caseload of juvenile or adult probationers to ensure compliance with terms and conditions of probation; explains conditions of probation to clients and families; implements treatment modalities and assesses progress during treatment; violates probation of individuals not following the orders of the Court.
Learns to establish victim restitution and monitor payment compliance.
Learns to work with health, social service, group home, or other support agencies to implement the treatment needs of probationers; makes referrals to treatment programs; assesses the progress, development and ongoing needs of clients; makes periodic reports to the Court on client status; counsels and acts as liaison between probationers, families, and others; makes recommendations for dismissal of cases where satisfactory progress has been achieved; resolves crises; may facilitate a variety of staff and/or client training programs.
Learns to process and investigate stepparent adoptions and other matters as ordered by the Court.
Learns to maintain a variety of records and case files; prepares case histories, reports, legal documents, and memoranda, utilizing departmental computer systems; enters and retrieves data from automated law enforcement information systems.
Learns to transport individuals, exercise powers of arrest and participate in searches of probationers and their property as required; on occasion, may physically restrain or subdue individuals, when appropriate, for the safety and protection of themselves and others.
May serve as a community resource; speaks before public groups and serves on boards and/or committees as the Department representative; collaborates with outside public and private agencies.

Benefits

Health Insurance : San Joaquin County provides employees with a choice of three health plans: a Kaiser Plan, a Select Plan, and a Premier Plan. Employees pay a portion of the cost of the premium. Dependent coverage is available for all plans.
Dental Insurance : The County provides employees with a choice of two dental plans: Delta Dental and United Health Care-Select Managed Care Direct Compensation Plan. There is no cost for employee only coverage in either plan; dependent coverage is available at the employee’s expense.
Vision Insurance : The County provides vision coverage through Vision Service Plan (VSP). There is no cost for employee only coverage; dependent coverage is available at the employee’s expense.
Life Insurance : The County provides eligible employees with life insurance coverage as follows: 1 but less than 3 years of continuous service: $1,000 3 but less than 5 years of continuous service: $3,000 5 but less than 10 years of continuous service: $5,000 10 years of continuous service or more: $10,000 Employees may purchase additional term life insurance to a maximum of $200,000 at the group rate.
125 Flexible Benefits Plan : This is a voluntary program that allows employees to use pre-tax dollars to pay for health-related expenses that are not paid by a medical, dental or vision plan (Health Flexible Spending Account $2550 annual limit with a $500 carry over); and dependent care costs (Dependent Care Assistance Plan $5000 annual limit).
Retirement Plan : Employees of the County are covered by the County Retirement Act of 1937. Please visit the San Joaquin County Employees’ Retirement Association (SJCERA) at www.sjcera.org for more information.
Deferred Compensation : The County maintains a deferred compensation plan under Section 457 of the IRS code. You may annually contribute $18,000 or 100% of your includible compensation, whichever is less. Individuals age 50 or older may contribute to their plan, up to $24,000. The Roth IRA (after tax) is also now available.
Vacation : Maximum earned vacation is 10 days each year up to 3 years; 15 days after 3 years; 20 days after 10 years; and 23 days after 20 years.
Holiday : Depending on date of hire into the unit, employees earn either 10 or 14 holidays per year.
Sick Leave : 12 working days of sick leave annually with unlimited accumulation.
Sick leave incentive : An employee is eligible to receive eight hours administrative leave if the leave balance equals at least one-half of the cumulative amount that the employee is eligible to accrue. The employee must also be on payroll during the entire calendar year.
Bereavement Leave : 3 days of paid leave for the death of an immediate family member, 2 additional days of accrued leave for death of employee’s spouse, domestic partner, parent or child.
Merit Salary Increase : New employees will receive the starting salary, which is the first step of the salary range. After employees serve 52 weeks (2080 hours) on each step of the range, they are eligible for a merit increase to the next step.
Bilingual Pay : Each employee who is designated by the appointing authority and approved by the County Administrator and who has passed a bilingual proficiency examination administered by the Human Resources Division shall receive a bi-weekly supplement of $50.
Pre-Employment Physical Exam : If required, will be conducted at Dameron Hospital at no cost to the employee.
Educational Reimbursement Program : Eligible employees may be reimbursed for career-related course work up to a maximum of $850 per fiscal year. Eligible employees enrolled in an approved four (4) year College or University academic program may be reimbursed up to $800 per semester for a maximum of $1600 per fiscal year.
Probation Officer Training : Probation Officers shall be allowed to attend seminars, workshops, out-of-town conferences, and have educational leave on County time consistent with the County’s educational conference and seminar policy.
Parking Supplemental Downtown Stockton : The County contributes up to $17 per pay period for employees who pay for parking and are assigned to work in the Downtown Core Area.
School Activities : Employees may take up to 40 hours per year, but not more than eight (8) hours per month, to participate in their children’s school activities.