Deputy Probation Officer I - Field

To investigate cases of juvenile delinquency or adult applicants for probation; and to supervise and counsel juveniles and adults on probation.

This is the entry level class in the Deputy Probation Officer series.  This class is distinguished from the Probation Assistant by performance of the full scope of sworn probation duties, such as search and arrest and is distinguished from the journey level by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties in both court and field supervision of adults or juveniles.  Employees at this level are not expected to perform with the same independence of direction and judgment on matters allocated to the journey level.  Since this class is typically used as a training class for Probation Department division assignment, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience. Employees work under immediate supervision while learning job tasks.  This class is flexibly allocated with Deputy Probation Officer II – Field.

Receives immediate to general supervision from a Supervising Deputy Probation Officer - Field or Probation Manager; may receive technical and functional supervision from a Senior Deputy Probation Officer – Field.

• Interview adults or juveniles, their families, and interested individuals; read police reports and other psychological and medical evaluations; interview victims; make recommendations about advisability of probation; when probation is indicated, formulate plans of probation and make recommendations to the court on plans for the adjustment and rehabilitation of the offender.
• Conduct investigations in all juvenile matters referred to the Probation Department; analyze information and act in accordance with State law and Departmental policy; draw affidavits for referral to the District Attorney.
• Represent the Probation Department in the various pre-adjudicatory hearings; prepare court reports making recommendations for dispositions; make reports to the courts on probationers’ progress, recommending modification, dismissal, or revocation where necessary.
• Investigate adult referrals from the courts; conduct pre-sentence investigations and prepare written reports and recommendations for the courts; appear in court to represent the Probation Department at various hearings.
• Act as Juvenile Intake Officer and Citation Hearing Officer; investigate and confer with the District Attorney; make recommendations to the court regarding release or detention pending further court actions; conduct probationary citation hearings for juveniles cited for misdemeanors with no prior record.
• Conduct risk assessment on probationers and recommend level of supervision; supervise adults and juveniles in the field, in the office, and through review of reports; monitor the activities and treatment programs of juvenile and adult probationers; enforce court orders and conditions of probation; file violations of probation when probation conditions are not met; and execute arrests.
• Maintain an intensive caseload with high-risk juveniles and engage in a therapeutic relationship with the client. 
• Establish contacts and work in close association with community agencies in developing and coordinating treatment programs for juvenile and adult probationers.
• Present delinquency prevention programs to schools and community groups.
• Serve as home supervision officer or diversion officer, working closely with allied agencies.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: No professional experience is required.

Training: Equivalent to Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in corrections, criminal justice, or a closely related field.  

License or Certificate:

• Must successfully complete the minimum required hours of instruction in the Basic Probation Officers Core Course as certified by the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) within the first year of appointment to this classification.
• Must successfully complete the training required under Section 832 of the Penal Code (Search and Seizure) within 90 days of employment.
• Must successfully complete the minimum number of hours of annual training as certified by the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) in any year in which the incumbent is not enrolled in basic, supervisory, management, or administrator’s course.  The annual training is designed as continuing education to update knowledge and improve skills.
• Must maintain a valid First Aid and CPR Certificate.
• May need to possess a valid driver’s license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Special Requirements:

• Must be at least 21 years of age upon appointment.
• Must meet minimum standards required for Peace Officers as set forth in Section 1029 and 1031 of the Government Code.
• Must meet the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) standards in Title 15, Sections 130-132.
• Must pass a background investigation.
• Must meet physical standards established for County Safety employees, including a psychological examination.
• Must qualify for use of a firearm when assigned to a field position.

NOTE: Applicants receiving their degree outside the United States must submit proof of accreditation by a recognized evaluation agency.

NOTE:  Relevant, equivalent experience (performing the same or similar job requiring similar knowledge, skills, and abilities) may be substituted for the required education as determined by the Human Resources Department.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and theory of criminal justice and rehabilitation as applied to criminal offenders including juveniles.
• Principles and theories of human behavior.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Report writing.

Ability to:

• Learn the principles and practices of modern adult and juvenile probation work.
• On an intermittent basis, analyze individual behavior and family systems; identify potential problems among clients; interpret and understand human behavior; know the theory of criminal behavior and the law; problem solve situations by mediating disputes; remember past behavior; and explain procedures and policies to juveniles and adults.
• On an intermittent basis, sit at a desk while preparing reports or interviewing; walk to supervise wards within the institutions; stand to conduct field contacts; bend and squat to book juveniles into the facility or perform searches; kneel to make arrests or file papers; climb during searches; manage physical confrontations when individuals resist arrest; fine hand manipulation for handcuff, weapons, and computer use; visual, auditory, and sense of smell needed for supervision of wards and probationers; and lift very heavy weight.
• Learn state laws, County ordinances, and Departmental policy and procedures affecting adults and juvenile probation.
• Learn modern casework techniques applicable to probation work.
• Understand and deal effectively with probation applicants and probationers.
• Analyze investigation materials to determine proper actions; determine truth of statements; exercise good judgment and make sound decisions under a variety of conditions; work effectively in stressful situations.
• Perform crisis intervention; give individual counseling and understand counseling techniques and methods.
• Perform arrest, search, and seizure activities safely and within the confines of the law.
• Synthesize information into a formal recommendation to the court; write clear and concise court reports.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Maintain good physical, emotional, and mental condition to satisfactorily perform the functions of the position.
• Use and care for small firearms and other law enforcement equipment and tools as assigned.
• Use other law enforcement equipment and tools as assigned.
• Perform arrest, search, and seizure activity safely, and within the confines of the law.
• Be sensitive to various cultural and ethnic groups present in the community.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Perform related duties as required.

Written Examination (100%) - The written examination is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, February 25, 2020. 

The written examination may include multiple choice, true/false, fill-in, matching, and/or essay type questions directly related to the required knowledge and abilities for this classification.

There will not be alternative or make-up exam date(s) scheduled. You will be notified of your scheduled examination date, time, and location after the posted filing deadline.

Additional information and a study guide for this examination may be found on the BSCC website here.

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination (which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation), sign a constitutional oath and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S.  For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation (which may include a voice stress analysis and/or a polygraph) and/or be bonded. Additionally, positions in law enforcement classifications, and those supporting law enforcement functions will be required to complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process. Applicants for positions with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification. Failure to clear these requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.

The eligible list(s) resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification.  For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please click here.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment, discrimination and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change.  It is advisable that applicants inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

Click here to view benefits for Professional - Safety bargaining unit

Tentative Recruitment Timeline:

Week of 2/10/20        Minimum Qualification Screening

2/25/20                      Written Examination

Week of 3/9/20          Establish Eligible List