Probation Officer III

Introduction This•Stockton, CA

About The Position

This is a departmental promotion. Qualified applicants must be currently employed with the San Joaquin County Probation Department and meet the promotional eligibility requirements as stated in Civil Service Rule 10, Section 3-Eligibility for Promotional Examinations. This examination is being given to fill vacancies in the Probation Department and to establish an eligible list to fill future vacancies. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application. A completed application must be postmarked or received online by the final filing deadline. 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. DEFINITION Under general supervision, works in the Probation Department and serves the Court and the community by performing lead, advanced, and/or specialized probation work; performs professional casework services for adult and juvenile offenders and their families, supervises probationers and works toward their rehabilitation; conducts investigations; monitors and enforces probationer compliance; carries out special assignments; and does related or other work as required in accordance with Rule 3, Section 3 of the Civil Service Rules. CLASS CHARACTERISTICS This is the advanced journey-level class in the Probation Officer series. Incumbents work with substantial independence and authority to perform lead, advanced and/or specialized probation duties, often serving as a technical casework or program expert with emphasis on community collaboration, education, and partnership. This class is distinguished from Probation Officer II because incumbents of that class perform journey-level duties and assignment of advanced/specialized or lead work is intermittent and not a substantial responsibility. This class is distinguished from Probation Unit Supervisor because incumbents of that class have full supervisory responsibility over staff in a Probation unit or program.

Requirements

PLEASE NOTE: This is a departmental promotion. Qualified applicants must currently be employed with the San Joaquin County Probation Department and meet the promotional eligibility requirements as stated in Civil Service Rule 10, Section 3-Eligibility for Promotional Examinations.
Note: Supplemental application must be submitted with employment application.
EITHER PATTERN I Experience : Two years as a Probation Officer II in San Joaquin County .
OR PATTERN II 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.
Experience : Three years as a probation officer or parole officer, including at least two years at a journey level comparable to or higher than the class of Probation Officer II in San Joaquin County .
Substitutions : Applicants may request that ONE of the following may be substituted for one year of the above-required journey-level experience: (1) a master’s degree in public or business administration, administration of justice, corrections, psychology, sociology, counseling or a related social or behavioral; OR (2) one year of juvenile detention experience at a level comparable to or higher than Juvenile Detention Officer in San Joaquin County; OR (3) one year of pre-trial inmate interviewing at a level comparable to or higher than Pretrial Program Specialist in San Joaquin County.
AND 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 must meet state-mandated CORE training requirements as defined by Standards and Training in Corrections (STC). As part of this requirement, applicants must provide evidence that they have successfully completed probation officer CORE training or an equivalent training course prior to appointment . Upon appointment, employees whose background did not include probation officer CORE training must complete such training within one year of employment .
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.
KNOWLEDGE Basic principles of leadership and training; project management techniques and practices; 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; principles of conflict de-escalation; group and family dynamics; basic interviewing and investigation techniques; basic social casework practice, educational norms, treatment modalities and crisis intervention; community interaction and collaborative problem solving; basic concepts of law enforcement as well as probation and court practices; basic knowledge of socio-economic, psychosocial, and cultural influences on individual behavior.
ABILITY Lead others in making recommendations based upon investigative results; independently complete special probation projects and reports; train staff in how to manage a probation caseload, including the management of complex and difficult cases; prepare, review and edit comprehensive court reports and case files; fairly and equitably interpret, explain and apply applicable laws, codes and regulations; make sound decisions in emergency or crisis situations; work with and obtain the cooperation of juvenile and adult probationers, their families and concerned government and private agencies; foster and develop collaborative partnerships with community members and organizations to proactively solve problems; 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.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS Mobility—frequent standing, walking, stooping, bending, climbing stairs, driving; constant use of a computer; occasional use of a firearm; Lifting—able to lift 50 pounds; Visual—constant overall vision; constant color perception, constant eye-hand coordination; constant depth perception; frequent reading/close-up work; constant field of vision/peripheral; Dexterity—frequent repetitive motion and reaching; Hearing/Talking—constant requirement to hear normal speech; constant hearing on telephone and radio; ability to hear faint sounds; constant talking on telephone/radio; Emotional/Psychological—potential contact with hostile individuals; exposure to emergency situations; may be exposed to trauma, grief and death; frequent public contact; decision-making and concentration; Special Requirements—some assignments may require working weekends, nights, and/or occasional overtime; Environmental—occasional exposure to varied weather conditions.

Responsibilities

Leads and assists less experienced staff in performing a wide range of professional probation services including those considered to be very difficult and highly complex; may have authority for making difficult decisions on cases and procedures; leads and coordinates training for new staff as assigned.
Provides advanced support to specialized Department programs; assists supervisory and management staff in planning, organizing and implementing program goals and activities; assists in the development of policies, procedures, staffing and budget requirements; may serve as the program contact with other county departments, agencies and/or the courts; may supervise clerical or paraprofessional staff who perform program support work.
Supervises a caseload of juvenile or adult probationers that may include very difficult and/or highly complex cases; may be assigned to oversee and/or provide leadership for other staff regarding the most difficult, complex and/or sensitive cases; ensures compliance with terms and conditions of probation; develops and maintains positive relationships with clients, their families, and the public to gain compliance and build trust; explains conditions of probation; plans, coordinates and implements treatment modalities and assesses progress during treatment; violates probation of individuals not following the orders of the Court.
Leads, coordinates and/or conducts probation investigations; makes 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.
Represents the Department during Court proceedings, making persuasive presentations of facts, defending recommendations and testifying as a witness; prepares, files and/or serves legal papers.
Oversees and establishes victim restitution activities and monitors payment compliance.
Works with health, social service, group home, or other support agencies to plan, coordinate and 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 develop and facilitate a variety of classes.
Maintains 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.
May be assigned to perform special projects or investigations; may prepare and present complex reports or proposals.
May transport individuals, exercise proper powers of arrest techniques 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; determines appropriate course of action when faced with potentially violent situations; may be required to carry a firearm in the performance of duties and meet related State and departmental requirements.
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. NOTE: If you are receiving a retirement allowance from another California county covered by the County Employees’ Retirement Act of 1937 or from any governmental agency covered by the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS), you are advised to contact the Retirement Officer of the Retirement Plan from which you retired to determine what effect employment in San Joaquin County would have on your retirement allowance. Employees hired into the following classifications on or after 12/31/90 are considered Safety Members: Probation Officer I, II, III, and Probation Unit Supervisor.
Deferred Compensation : The County maintains a deferred compensation plan under Section 457 of the IRS code. You may annually contribute $22,500 or 100% of your includible compensation, whichever is less. Individuals age 50 or older may contribute to their plan, up to $30,000. 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.