Juvenile Services Officer I

Salary : $61,484.80 - $78,478.40 Annually

Location : San Luis Obispo, CA

Job Type : Permanent - Hourly

Job Number : 1124KS-000370-01

Department : Probation

Division : Probation JSC Juvenile

Opening Date : 11 / 08 / 2024

About the Position

The anticipated salary range for hire is $61,484.80 - $67,787.20 annually. The top of the range for salary advancement is $78,478.40.

The Probation Department is seeking self-motivated, qualified professionals to fill the position of Juvenile Services Officer. In accordance with established policies and procedures, a Juvenile Services Officer will provide for the temporary and safe supervision of juveniles in a custody setting. In this role, you will be involved in observing and reporting behavior of juveniles, booking minors into custody and providing verbal de-escalation as necessary. Additionally, you will assist in maintaining the security of assigned areas, including monitoring the movement and activity of detainees, staff, and visitors through direct visual contact, and audio / video monitoring systems. In this role you will also be involved in referring requests for information regarding detained youth to their assigned Deputy Probation Officer and coordinate safe movement of youth to and from Court.

Juvenile Services Officer I is part of a career series for Juvenile Services Officer I, II and III. Classes in this series, in a custody setting, provide for the temporary and safe supervision of juveniles who are accused of conduct subject to the jurisdiction of the court who require a restricted environment for their own, or the community's protection, while pending legal action; do other related work as required.

Typical Tasks and Representative Duties :

Not in order of importance)

• Supervise and counsel juveniles in custody in accordance with established procedures;
• Organize and direct services which support the juvenile's physical, emotional, and social development, which include education, recreation, counseling, nutrition, hygiene, reading, visitation, transportation, communication, and continuous supervision;
• Utilize force to ensure a safe environment, in accordance with established policy, including the use of physical, mechanical, and chemical restraints;
• Observe and report behavior and provide verbal de-escalation as necessary;
• Book minors into custody in accordance with department procedures, and perform strip searches as necessary;
• Collect specimens when required;
• Confirm personal and criminal history information of detainees, and complete booking records;
• Operate computer systems and utilize law enforcement databases to access and record information on previous arrests, outstanding warrants, court dates, and the status of detainees;
• Properly secure and store personal belongings of detainees, and may receive and receipt money collected from and / or deposited for detainees;
• Maintain accurate accounting of detainee's funds and property;
• Assist in maintaining the security of assigned areas, including monitoring the movement and activity of detainees, staff, and visitors through direct visual contact, and audio / video monitoring systems;
• Manage secure exits and entrances and notify appropriate personnel in emergency situations;
• Refer requests for information regarding detained youth to their assigned Deputy Probation Officer;
• Coordinate the safe movement of youth to and from Court.

Click here to view detailed job description.

For more information regarding the Probation Department, please visit our website at Probation - County of San Luis Obispo .

Note : This recruitment may be used to fill future permanent, substitute, limited term, and temporary positions, both full-time and part-time.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will have an understanding of the Juvenile Justice System process and have a basic working understanding of interviewing, counseling, crisis intervention, institution safety, and security methods and techniques. Additionally, a successful candidate will have knowledge of the developmental stages of minors and basic principles of applied psychology, including parenting skills and conflict resolution methods. Effective report writing skills and communication skills are a must.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

A combination of education, training, and experience resulting in the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. An example of qualifying education and experience includes :

Completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units of college course work (Job-related experience may be substituted for the required education. Some examples of positions with relatable experience include : social workers, case managers, coaches, correctional officers, guidance counselors, behavioral counselors, development advisors, behavioral specialists, resource specialists, programs coordinators, teachers aids, special education coordinators, camp counselors, youth leaders, psychiatric technicians, and crisis intervention specialists)

Licenses and Certificates :

A valid driver's license is required at the time of application. A valid CALIFORNIA driver's license is required at the time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment.

Satisfactory completion of the Board of Correction, Standards and Training for Corrections, for Group and Counselor CORE Academy within one (1) year of appointment.

Successful completion of the Laws and Arrest component of Penal Code 832 training within one (1) year of appointment.

How to Apply

Note : This is a "continuous" recruitment, however, the posting can close at anytime without notice, therefore, prompt application is encouraged.

Applications, including answers to supplemental questions, must be submitted online by the final filing date. Apply for this position at governmentjobs.com / careers / slocountyca . Most County recruitments require you to respond to supplemental questions as part of the application process. We recommend that you review these questions prior to beginning your application.

An initial application review will be conducted. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and are best qualified will be invited to participate in selection activities which may include online assessments, performance exams, written exams, and interviews.

Final candidates will be required to have an in-depth background review performed before proceeding in the process. Please note that references will not be contacted until the end of the process.

If you have questions or would like to discuss the opportunity further, please contact Human Resources at hr@co.slo.ca.us . Confidential inquiries are welcomed.

For further information regarding the County of San Luis Obispo, visit our website at www.slocounty.ca.gov .

THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Scheduled Physical Agility Dates :

Scheduled Online Written Exam Testing Windows :

Written Exam :

Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) Selection Examination for the Adult Corrections Officer, Juvenile Corrections Officer, and Probation Officer Classifications. Study materials can be obtained via The Candidate Orientation Booklet on the BSCC website. This resource provides a helpful overview of the exam including sample questions. This booklet is available online at : bscc.ca.gov / wp-content / uploads / COB.pdf

Candidates are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the overview and sample exam ahead of the actual test date.

PLEASE NOTE : If you have taken this exam with another agency in the last year, you may be eligible to utilize your score to waive the written exam portion of the recruitment process. Please contact Miranda Wall at mewall@co.slo.ca.us to determine eligibility.

Physical Agility Test (PAT) :

The PAT consists of four events. Each event is scored as a pass / fail and has time limitations. You must pass ALL four events below to move forward in the recruitment process.

BODY LIFT : This event is meant to represent lifting someone who has attempted to hang themselves. It requires supporting the weight of a hanging lifelike dummy weighing approximately 150-lb. All stress / slack must be continuously off the rope / chain from which it is suspended for 30 seconds.

BODY DRAG : This event is meant to represent dragging someone who is physically incapacitated. It requires lifting and dragging a lifelike dummy that is lying on the ground and weighs approximately 150-lb. The dummy must be dragged 30 feet. This event must be accomplished in 30 seconds or less.

WEIGHTED AGILITY RUN : This event will require you to walk briskly or jog through a 150-foot zigzag barrier course. This course will consist of three sharp turns. At the 75-foot mark, you will pick up a 20-lb weighted object and carry it back through the course. This event must be accomplished in 30 seconds or less.

550 YARD RUN : This event will simulate a long distance run without obstacles. This event must be accomplished in 3 minutes or less.

Since the events involve running, you can prepare for the test by practicing both short sprints and longer runs. The 550-yard run is equivalent to about two city blocks up and back. The other two events involve upper body strength. It is possible to condition yourself for these by doing push-ups and pull-ups.

Supplemental Information

Must be able to work a variety of shifts including irregular hours, weekends and holidays.

Officers are on a "3 - 12" schedule. They work 3 twelve hour shifts one week with four days off and then 3 twelve hour shifts and 1 eight hour shift the next week. This equates to 14 shifts a month. The facility is continually open, so officers are assigned to shifts around the clock, including weekends and holidays. Shifts are assigned based on the needs of the facility and staff seniority.

PEACE OFFICER REQUIREMENTS

Must meet minimum peace officer standards as specified in California Government Code Sections 1029 and 1031.

Personal History Statement - Peace Officer Form 2-251 :

All applicants that are invited to department interviews will be required to complete, sign, and return a Personal History Statement (PHS) directly to the Probation Department. More details and instructions will follow after the final filing date with a status of your application. The personal history statement form can be accessed at https : / / post.ca.gov / Forms under the Background / Hiring section.

Medical Exam :

All candidates will be required to take a pre-employment medical examination. The pre-employment medical examination will include a vision and hearing test, pulmonary function test, chest x-ray, and treadmill stress test.

Polygraph / Psychological Exam :

The polygraph examination will measure the accuracy of information given during the background investigation process and is part of the background investigation. The psychological examination will include the administration of psychological tests, an assessment of psychological factors, and an interview with a County-designated Psychologist.

Background Check :

To accept a position with the Probation Office, you must successfully complete a Background Investigation. Below is a partial list of offenses or issues that may disqualify you from successful completion. Please review the below list :

Recent misdemeanor conviction, or any two misdemeanor convictions as an adult

Poor employment history

Any sale, manufacture, or cultivation of illegal drugs

Recent use of illegal substances such as opiates, hallucinogens, injectables, cocaine, methamphetamine, or similar substance

Poor driving record such as numerous hazardous traffic violations or chargeable accidents

Recent conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol and / or drugs, or any two convictions for this offense as an adult

Any act of domestic violence, as defined by law

Any crime committed against a child

Behavior or derogatory remarks constituting discrimination or bias toward others based on their race, religion, gender, national origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or other protected class

Any material misstatement of fact or intentional omission of information during the application or background process

Issues that arise during the investigation process will be assessed, and judgement and discretion will be used to determine the employability of the candidate. Where there is evidence of a candidate's past use of controlled substances, many factors shall be used to determine the employability of the individual such as a pattern of use, kind of drug used, circumstances of the start of the drug use, treatment, behavior, and attitude since discontinuance, etc. Please note that a history of using controlled substances does not result in automatic disqualification from the selection process. Prior to disqualifying any candidate whose profile falls within the provisions of the policy, the candidate shall be given the opportunity to present any and all evidence of mitigating facts that the candidate feels should be considered by the hiring authority. The results of these examinations and the background investigation shall be confidential and shall not be available to the candidate or any unauthorized individuals for review.

Please note that references will not be contacted until the end of the process.

Reasonable Accommodation Notice

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment. Please call 805-781-5959 for assistance or e-mail hr@co.slo.ca.us for more information.

Veteran's Preference Points

If you are applying for employment with the County of San Luis Obispo and you served in the United States Armed Forces, you may be eligible for veteran's preference points as part of the recruitment process. Some dependents and survivors of eligible veterans may also be eligible for preference points. for more information and to learn how to apply for this benefit. Please note that Veteran's credits must be on file with the County of San Luis Obispo Veterans Services Office prior to the recruitment closing date indicated on the job announcement.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The County is an equal opportunity employer. Objectives are directed toward assuring equal opportunity in selection / promotion, pay, and job assignments. Recruitment and selection procedures have been established to ensure non-discrimination on the basis of political or religious opinions or affiliations, age, sex, race, color, national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or other non-merit factors. In addition, the County complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act in hiring and retaining employees. For more information contact the Human Resources Department at (805)781-5959.

Make a Difference

Employees of the County of San Luis Obispo are public servants who impact the lives of our community every day. From supporting efforts to reduce homelessness, keeping our drinking water clean, or serving the families in need in the community, County employees make a difference.

Compensation and Benefits

Your annual salary is supplemented by a generous benefit package.

For additional information regarding the benefits listed that may be available to you, visit the associated .

Some benefits include :

The County of San Luis Obispo has been recognized as a Diamond Level Family Friendly Workplace by San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce. We support our employees through : childcare assistance, flexible scheduling practices, paid and unpaid leave, comprehensive health benefits, flexible spending accounts, and employee assistance programs.

Pension Benefit and Employee Contribution Rates :

The County's pension is a defined benefit plan that provides a guaranteed monthly pension payment for life based on your time in service, wages, and other factors. The County is the primary contributor to the pension fund, but the health of the pension fund also depends on mandatory employee contributions. Employees are required to pay a percentage of their base pay towards the pension fund, ranging from 5% to 19%. This amount is deducted from your paycheck pre-tax every pay period. To find out how much will be deducted from your paycheck should you be hired for this position, please contact Pension Trust at (805) 781-5465.

Healthcare Benefits and Cafeteria Contributions :

The County offers comprehensive medical coverage to you and your family, along with two dental plan options and vision coverage. All permanent employees receive a monthly employer contribution (or 'cafeteria' contribution) to help them pay for their portion of the medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums. The amount of the cafeteria contribution varies by Bargaining Unit (BU) and the extent to which employees enroll their dependents. If the cafeteria amount is greater than your selected premiums, the remainder of the cafeteria is paid out to you in your paycheck as taxable income. If the cafeteria amount is less than your monthly premiums, you pay the remainder of the premiums with pre-tax wages.

To estimate your out-of-pocket costs (or cashback from extra cafeteria),

Pension Benefit and Employee Contribution Rates :

The County's pension is a defined benefit plan that provides a guaranteed monthly pension payment for life based on your time in service, wages, and other factors. The County is the primary contributor to the pension fund, but the health of the pension fund also depends on mandatory employee contributions. Employees are required to pay a percentage of their base pay towards the pension fund, ranging from 5% to 19%. This amount is deducted from your paycheck pre-tax every pay period. To find out how much will be deducted from your paycheck should you be hired for this position, please contact Pension Trust at (805) 781-5465.

Healthcare Benefits and Cafeteria Contributions :

The County offers comprehensive medical coverage to you and your family, along with two dental plan options and vision coverage. All permanent employees receive a monthly employer contribution (or 'cafeteria' contribution) to help them pay for their portion of the medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums. The amount of the cafeteria contribution varies by Bargaining Unit (BU) and the extent to which employees enroll their dependents. If the cafeteria amount is greater than your selected premiums, the remainder of the cafeteria is paid out to you in your paycheck as taxable income. If the cafeteria amount is less than your monthly premiums, you pay of the remainder of the premiums with pre-tax wages.

To estimate your out-of-pocket costs (or cashback from extra cafeteria),

Learning and Development

The County prioritizes your learning, personal and professional development, and career growth. Employees have access to over 1500 on-demand courses, instructor led courses, and job-specific trainings.

Employees can take courses to upskill to make themselves more competitive for promotional opportunities and further their career growth. Examples of courses include :

Student Loan Forgiveness

Did you know that if you are employed by a government agency you may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program

County employees also have access to GotZoom, a program that offers tools and support to navigate your federal student loans.

Homebuyer assistance program

Employees have access to the "Assist-to-Own" program sponsored by to get a loan for the down payment.

Please choose the option below that best describes your education / experience related to this position.

If you chose option# 2 as your answer for Question# 1 - Briefly describe your job related experience in dealing with a diverse population, family relationships, the development of youth and delinquency factors such as child abuse, attachment disorders, learning disabilities, developmental delays, substance abuse and / or truancy.Some examples of positions with relatable experience include : social workers, case managers, coaches, correctional officers, guidance counselors, behavioral counselors, development advisors, behavioral specialists, resource specialists, programs coordinators, teachers aids, special education coordinators, camp counselors, youth leaders, psychiatric technicians, and crisis intervention specialists.

Required Question

Salary : $61,485 - $67,787