Deputy Probation Officer I/II

DEFINITION
To investigate adult and juvenile cases for probation; to provide professional casework services to adult and juvenile offenders placed on probation and monitor probationers' activities to ensure compliance with court orders; to represent the department in court hearings; and to perform related duties and responsibilities as required.

Deputy Probation Officer I is the entry level classification in the series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents perform a variety of professional casework duties while learning County policies and procedures. This classification is flexibly staffed with Deputy Probation Officer II, and incumbents normally advance to the higher level after gaining experience and achieving proficiency which meet the requirements for Deputy Probation Officer II.

Deputy Probation Officer II is the journey-level classification in the series.  Incumbents receive general supervision within a framework of standard policies and procedures.  Positions in this class perform the full range of duties and are expected to have a thorough knowledge of departmental procedures and policies and be able to exercise independent judgment while performing complex casework.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general supervision from the Deputy Chief or Chief Probation Officer.EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Compiles, investigates, verifies and presents reports on personal, social, educational, financial, health and/or prior criminal involvement of probationers; interviews probationers, family members and other involved individuals to obtain additional pertinent case information.

Assesses client needs; develops and recommends to the court case plans to ensure probationers' compliance with court orders; interprets plans to probationers, family members and other interested individuals.

Presents departmental recommendations for sentencing in court.

Arranges for and monitors placement of probationers in rehabilitation and/or treatment programs such as community service work, group homes, foster care, Alcoholics Anonymous, etc., to facilitate social adjustment.

Intervenes in crisis situations; counsels families and communicates with involved community and/or private agencies; makes referrals to service providers as required.

Monitors probationers' performance and makes recommendations regarding probation modification, revocation, termination or arrest as necessary.

Monitors and investigates clients at their homes, places of employment and other locations as necessary; conducts drug / alcohol testing of probationers as appropriate; conducts personal searches and searches of probationers' property and residences as necessary to ensure officer safety and to investigate non-compliance with court orders.

Arrests probationers and assists law enforcement agencies in searches and seizures as required.

Appears and/or testifies in court for detention, jurisdictional, disposition and/or violation of parole hearings; attends special and/or annual reviews and/or sealing of records.

Transports adult and/or juvenile probationers to and from court and other locations as necessary.

Conducts interviews and/or background investigations for civil court matters, such as stepparent adoptions and custody suits.

Prepares and processes expungement requests.

Prepares and files necessary legal documents related to cases, including petitions, case reviews, sealing of records requests, etc.

Provides assistance to victims of crime as needed.

Assists with special departmental programs or projects.

Responds to and resolves inquiries, requests for assistance and complaints in areas of responsibility.

Performs general office work as required, including preparing reports and correspondence, attending meetings, compiling data for reports, copying and filing documents, entering and retrieving computer data, scheduling appointments, answering the telephone, etc.

Deputy Probation Officer II: (In addition to the above)
May assist with staff training and/or provide lead direction as assigned.Experience:
Deputy Probation Officer I:
None required.

Deputy Probation Officer II:
One year of full-time equivalent increasingly responsible experience as a probation , parole or corrections officer; or one year as a Deputy Probation Officer I in Mariposa County. 

Education: (Both Deputy Probation Officer I and II)
High school or GED equivalency is required.  Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in sociology, criminology, corrections, social services, psychology or closely related field.  A copy of your college transcript(s) must be attached to your application.

Substitution: (Both Deputy Probation Officer I and II)
Relevant work experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the education.

Additional Requirements: (Both Deputy Probation Officer I and II)
Possession of a valid California driver's license.  Under certain circumstances, the Human Resources Director may accept a valid driver's license from another state if applicant acknowledges his/her intent to acquire a California driver's license within three months by signing an acknowledgement form.

Deputy Probation Officer II:
Possession of a certificate of completion for 200 hours of Basic Probation Officers coursework.  A copy of your certificate of completion must be attached to your application.EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS
Knowledge of:
Deputy Probation Officer I:
Basic principles of applied psychology and human behavior.

Methods and techniques of interviewing.

Report and business letter preparation techniques.

Modern office practices and technology, including the use of computers for word processing and records management.

English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.

Basic arithmetic.

Safe work practices.

Deputy Probation Officer II: (In addition to the above)
Pertinent federal, state and local laws, regulations, codes and ordinances.

County and departmental policies and procedures.

Principles and practices of adult and juvenile probation work.

Casework, case planning and management, including intervention and modification strategies.

Types and services of public and private assistance / support agencies available to probationers.

Principles and practices of law enforcement.

Judicial / court processes and procedures.

Ability to:
Deputy Probation Officer I:
Learn, understand and apply pertinent federal, state and local laws, rules, regulations, codes and ordinances, and County / department policies and procedures.

Understand and follow complex written and oral instructions.

React quickly and calmly in emergency situations.

Prepare clear and concise reports; maintain detailed records.

Perform mathematical computations with accuracy.

Gain cooperation through discussion and persuasion.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Maintain detailed records and prepare clear, concise reports.

Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Meet the physical requirements necessary to safely and effectively perform assigned duties.

Deputy Probation Officer II: (In addition to the above)
Interpret and apply pertinent federal, state and local laws, rules, regulations, codes and ordinances, and County / department policies and procedures.

Exercise sound, independent judgment with minimal supervision.

Provide effective case management.

Analyze written and verbal reports, draw appropriate conclusions, and develop recommendations and action plans.

Make effective public presentations.

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS 
Work is performed in an office and field environment; worker drives on surface streets and may be exposed to traffic hazards, adverse weather conditions, extreme heat or cold, wetness, air contaminants, fumes/dust, laboratory solvents and chemicals, skin irritants, violence, above average noise.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Requires the mobility to work in an office and field environment.  Requires the ability to sit at a desk and intermittently walk, stand, stoop, kneel, crouch, climb, run, balance and reach while performing office and field duties; operate a motor vehicle; lift and/or move weights of up to 25 pounds frequently and over 40 pounds occasionally; use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls.  Must be able to maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for making observations, communicating with others, reading and writing, and operating office and police-issue equipment.  Must be able to use a telephone to communicate verbally and a keyboard to communicate through written means, to review information and enter/retrieve data, to see and read characters on a computer screen. Requires the strength and stamina to perform law enforcement duties, including handling firearms.

THE SELECTION PROCESS
All interested applicants must complete and submit a job application including any required supplemental questionnaires, and attach any required documentation. For those who meet the minimum qualifications, a competitive evaluation of the training and experience described on your application or supplemental questionnaire, a written examination, a structured oral interview, a performance rating, or a combination of any of these, may be performed. You will be scored based on that competitive evaluation. This process may be altered if there are ten or less applicants that qualified.

Salary : $4,840 - $6,818