County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under the administrative direction of the Chief Probation Officer, the Director of Professional Standards, Probation, manages the Alameda County Probation Department’s Professional Standards Unit. The position is responsible for providing direction and oversight to the Department’s Background Investigation Section and Office of Internal Affairs Section; undertaking complex investigative tasks for the Department; and, completing related and assigned work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

The Director of Professional Standards, Probation, reports directly to the Chief Probation Officer and is responsible for the oversight and management of the Professional Standards Unit. This position supervises investigators, peace officer and non-peace officer personnel. The position requires extensive knowledge and experience in managing a specialized investigative unit. The Chief of Investigations is distinguished from the next lower class of Supervisor, Investigations by the exercise of functional management and oversight over the work of the staff, and by being responsible for the administrative control of the Professional Standards Unit.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in this classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Takes supervision, direction, and guidance from the Chief Probation Officer.

2. Assists in the development of policies, procedures, and training related to conducting background investigations and internal affair investigations.

3. Works closely with County Counsel, the Office of Human Resources, and local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies; and, represents the Probation Department at various personnel hearings, training sessions, and criminal and civil court matters.

4. Reviews pending legislation, laws and regulations; identifies operational impact; and, creates implementation plans.

5. Manages complex and sensitive criminal and/or administrative investigations, and provides technical assistance and training to other law enforcement agencies.

6. Reviews and approves actions on sensitive cases involving matters which may be appealed or which involve other county departments.

7. Maintains effective, cooperative, and successful partnerships with stakeholders including but not limited to, the Attorney General’s Office, District Attorney’s Office, Sheriff’s Office, Chiefs of Police, Probation Chiefs, State Parole, and other community agencies and organizations.

8. Demonstrates experience and knowledge in applying principles and techniques of personnel management and staff development (i.e., directing the planning and implementation of employee training programs, evaluating staff for special assignments, promotions, and succession planning, including analyzing growth and identifying future staffing needs); the ability to provide equal employment opportunities in the workplace; and, administer the employee disciplinary process.

9. Prepares a variety of reports and correspondence; participates in the department’s strategic planning.

10. Develops and forwards reports relating to complaints against staff, background investigations, and internal affair investigations to the Chief Probation Officer.

11. Attends and holds meetings and conferences to inform staff of new policies and procedures, and to ensure conformity with departmental and county regulations.

12. Researches, evaluates, and establishes internal tracking and monitoring systems.

13. Interacts and communicates effectively in public hearings addressing community groups, legislative bodies, local government representatives, law enforcement agencies, and the news media.

14. Compiles, tracks, and maintains accurate data and record files regarding background investigations and internal affair investigations.

15. Evaluates and monitors the performance of subordinate supervisor(s) and line-staff under their supervision; recommends disciplinary action as appropriate.

16. Has oversight of, and responsibility for, the department’s Citizen’s Complaint Process.

17. Uses, maintains, carries, and qualifies with approved department firearms.  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Possession of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university (180 quarter or 120 semester units) in Sociology, Criminology, Psychology, Penology, or a closely related field.

And

Either I

Experience:

The equivalent of five years of full-time experience in the Alameda County Probation Department with a minimum of two years of full-time experience in the classification of Unit Supervisor or higher in the Alameda County classified service, and a minimum of one year of full-time experience supervising or conducting background/internal affairs investigations.

Or II

Experience:

The equivalent of five years of professional, full-time background/internal affairs investigative experience with a federal, state, county or local law enforcement or corrections agency, or a community corrections agency, one year of which must have been in a supervisory capacity.

Special Requirements:

• Meet the minimum requirements for Peace Officer (Section 1031 of the Government Code.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, and trends in public administration, organization, and management; techniques of organizing, program development, and evaluation; methods of administrative problem solving; and, principles and practices of policy formulation and development.
• Principles and practices of governmental budgeting.
• Interview, interrogation and investigative techniques and procedures.
• Employee supervision, appraisal, corrective action, and training practices and procedures.
• Probation Department policies and philosophy.
• Principles of training, motivating, and evaluating staff.
• Selection standards as set forth by the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission.
• Current practices and methods employed in background and internal affairs investigations.
• State, federal and local statutes, ordinances, regulations, rules, policies and procedures related to background investigations and internal affairs investigations.
• Probation bargaining unit memoranda of understanding, California Penal Code, Government Code, Evidence Code, Code of Civil Procedures, Peace Office Bill of Rights, County Civil Service rules, policies and procedures, personnel rules, and disciplinary guidelines.

Ability to:

• Develop and lead initiatives that advance the organization towards its mission; successfully manage associated transitions in the workplace with minimal disruptions; manage operations within budget; and, employ methods to appropriately adjust, understand, manage, and communicate financial information.
• Perform high administrative and major policy-influencing functions effectively, including knowledge of the regulation and statute application process; and, develop positive cooperative relationships with a wide variety of customers and stakeholders.
• Analyze complex and emergent issues and recommend and take effective courses of action; make independent, sound, and ethical decisions regarding highly sensitive matters; and, maintain confidentiality using collaborative and evidence-based processes.
• Collaborate internally and externally with divisions and organizations in implementing public safety policy and employee conduct policies and procedures.
• Set goals and objectives, establish priorities, meet deadlines, and coordinate work with others.
• Read, interpret and apply legal methodologies relating to background and internal affairs investigations.
• Effectively utilize interviewing, interrogation, and investigative techniques and procedures.
• Utilize practices and methods employed in administrative and criminal investigations.
• Write clearly, accurately and concisely, and use grammatically correct English when conveying ideas in written reports, letters, memoranda, and other documents.
• Effectively apply laws of arrest, search and seizure case law, and rules of evidence.
• Demonstrate effective public speaking skills, plan and deliver effective presentations, and prepare related materials.
• Use laptops, personal computers and word processing software.
• Gather, record, interpret, and report statistical data.
• Effectively utilize self-defense techniques.
• Use, maintain, carry, and qualify with approved department firearms.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave**
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Group Auto/Home Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.