Group Counselor (Entry)

WHY JOIN US AT SOLANO COUNTY?

COMMITMENT TO SERVICE: Our mission is to serve the people and to provide a safe and healthy place to live, learn, work and play.

We serve the public in many different ways, including:

• Providing primary medical, dental, alcohol, drug and mental health services to residents, including the uninsured, low-income, and medically underserved
• Providing law enforcement services in the unincorporated area of the county
• Protecting the community from public health threats such as communicable diseases
• Coordinating countywide responses to domestic violence and terrorism or other emergencies
• Managing the criminal justice process after arrest (jail, prosecution, probation)
• Supporting other local governments through efficient property tax collection as mandated by the State, County and local jurisdictions; and,
• Administration and enforcement of Federal, State, and Local laws and policies pertaining to environmental health, building construction, and land use planning

OUR EMPLOYEES: Our diverse workforce is committed to fulfilling this mission and does so by exemplifying our IDEAL Core Values, engaging in our day to day work of serving the public with Integrity, Dignity, Excellence, Accountability, and Leadership.

WHY WE EXIST

Impact the community in a positive way!

The Probation Department safeguards our community through the services provided to clients, the court, and victims. The Probation Department actively seeks to modify the behaviors that lead to criminal activity and those that allow for a successful transition back into the community. If you are a positive team player with a dedication to community service - this may be the job for you!

The mission of the Probation Department is to protect the community by:

•Facilitating rehabilitation of offenders and holding them accountable
•Conducting investigations and providing recommendations for the court
•Enforcing court orders
•Pursuing victim restoration and advocacy
•Providing safe, secure, effective detention and treatment programs

To learn more about the Probation Department, please visit: http://www.solanocounty.com/depts/probation/default.asp

Group Counselors supervise the safety, treatment, recreation, and daily living activities of juveniles detained in the Solano County Juvenile Hall in Fairfield. Group Counselors oversee a variety of counseling sessions, monitor behaviors, and enforce rules. The Juvenile Hall operates 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Group Counselors are assigned semi-annual shifts, which include working nights, weekends, and holidays.

The Juvenile Hall safeguards our community by providing short-term residential treatment program that meets legal and departmental parameters. We strive to maintain an environment that is conducive to initiating and motivating individual changes, providing a schedule of constructive and satisfying personal development, physical and educational programs, and minimizing negative effects of detention while in our custody. We care for every youth in a manner that reduces anxiety and maximizes the potential for personal growth, maturity and development. If you are a positive team player with a dedication to community service, then this may be the job for you!

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Education: Completion of fifteen semester units is required from an accredited college or university preferably in criminology, social work, psychology, sociology, or a closely related field;

OR

Experience: Six months of related experience supervising groups in a detention facility.

AND

Other: Successful completion of a P.O.S.T. Background Investigation is required prior to appointment. Upon successful passage of the examination process, candidates will begin the background investigation, as part of the background investigation candidates will be required to submit a completed Personal History Statement (PHS). At this time, candidates are encouraged to view the requirements of the PHS by visiting the Peace Officer Standards and Training website directly, at http://post.ca.gov. The PHS is NOT due by the final filing deadline and will not be accepted as part of your application.

To review the full job description for this position, please visit: http://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=15820

Solano County offers a cafeteria-style medical package with health benefits, offered through CalPERS. The County contribution for family coverage for the 2019 calendar year is $1,498.09 per month. The County offers a cash back provision for those who choose employee-only or who waive medical insurance coverage. The County may offer a supplemental contribution for employees enrolled in Employee plus Two or More coverage.

Dental and vision insurances for the employee and eligible dependents are paid 100% by the County.

Solano County participates in CalPERS retirement and contributes to Social Security.

Vacation is accrued at approximately 10 days per year for the first 3 years. Sick leave accrues at approximately 12 days per year.

The County observes 12 fixed, paid holidays per year.

Employees are eligible to receive an additional 2.5% longevity pay, per level, after the completion of continuous service at 10, 20, 25, 30, and 35 years.

To view the benefits for this position, please visit:
http://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=16479

Extra-help employees who work less than 29 hours per week do not typically receive or accrue benefits of regular employees during their period of employment. All extra-help employees accrue .034 hours of Paid Time Off for every full hour worked.

To view the benefits for an extra-help position, please visit:
http://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=16516

CULTURE OF LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT
Solano County is committed to “Invest In and For the Future” by providing training resources to encourage employee professional development and growth within our organization. While employed with Solano County, employees have the opportunity to pursue their career goals, interests, and develop the competencies on the Solano County Leadership Development Model by participating in the following programs:

• Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Annual Education Fair
• County Mentoring Program
• Leadership Academy
• Supervisory Trainings
• Skill Development Trainings
• Self-paced learning opportunities

09/16/19 – Deadline to submit application and required documents for the written exam on Saturday.

10/05/19* – Tentative date for Mandatory Informational Session and Written Exam.

Review Date:

11/18/19 – Deadline to submit application and required documents for the written exam on Saturday.

12/14/19* – Tentative date for Mandatory Informational Session and Written Exam.

FINAL REVIEW DATE:

Please note, there will be no additional review/testing dates after the dates indicated below.

01/27/20 – Deadline to submit application and required documents for the written exam on Saturday.

02/13/20* – Tentative date for Mandatory Informational Session and Written Exam.

*Please note this date and make sure you will be able to attend the mandatory information session and written exam. If you are unable to attend, you will not move forward in the hiring process. 

Based on the information provided in the application documents, the qualified applicants may be invited for further examination and will either be pre-scheduled by the Department of Human Resources or be invited to self-schedule. All applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. Depending upon the number of applications received, the selection process may consist of an initial application screening, a mandatory information meeting, a supplemental questionnaire assessment, a written and/or practical exam, an oral board exam, or any combination listed. Responses to supplemental questions may be used as screening and testing mechanisms and will be used to assess an applicant’s ability to advance in the process; as such, responses to supplemental questions should be treated as test examination responses. Information contained herein does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

A minimum score of 70% is required to continue in the selection process, unless otherwise announced.

All potential new hires and employees considered for promotion to management, confidential positions or unrepresented positions will be subject to a background and reference check after contingent job offer is accepted. These provisions are subject to change.

RETIREES - Solano County invites all qualified candidates to apply for positions; however pursuant to Government Code Section 21221(h) and 21224, hiring restrictions may apply to California Public Sector Pension Plan Retirees.

Please visit the County of Solano website, www.jobsatsolanocounty.com, to apply. Applications must be submitted through the JobAps system. Paper copies of applications are not accepted. All additional application materials as requested in the job announcement (degree/transcripts, certificates, DD-214 if applicable, ADA Accommodation Request) must be submitted with the Document Cover Sheet, available on the employment website: https://jobapscloud.com/Solano/sup/doccover.pdf or at the Department of Human Resources’ office, and are due by the final filing date.

Previously submitted application materials (i.e. copies of diploma and/or transcripts, etc.) for prior recruitments will not be applied for this recruitment but must be re-submitted for this recruitment.

Any further questions can be directed to the Department of Human Resources at (707) 784-6170 or at 675 Texas Street, Suite 1800 Fairfield 94533. The office is open Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. EOE/AA.

All candidates qualifying for the position under the education requirement must submit a copy of their official transcripts (verifying the courses and units completed) during the P.O.S.T. Background Investigation and will be disqualified if the transcripts do not include the required 15 college units.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING: Candidates who attended a college or university that is accredited by a foreign or non-U.S. accrediting agency must have their educational units evaluated by an educational evaluation service. The result must be submitted to the Human Resources Department no later than the close of the recruitment. Please contact the local college or university to learn where this service can be obtained.

How to Submit Your Documents
In addition to uploading attachments when applying online, candidates may submit documents in-person or by mail at Solano County Department of Human Resources 675 Texas Street, Suite 1800, Fairfield CA 94533, by fax to (707) 784-3424, or by email to recruitment@solanocounty.com. When submitting documents in-person, by mail or by fax, include the recruitment title (Group Counselor - Entry) and the recruitment number (19-512020-02). If submitting documents by email include the recruitment title and recruitment number in the subject field.

This Supplemental Questionnaire will be used to determine applicants’ qualifications for this position and assess an applicant’s ability to advance in the recruitment process; therefore, applicants are encouraged to answer all questions thoroughly and completely. Omitted information will not be considered or assumed. Applicants who have no experience in a specific area are recommended to state "no experience in this area" instead of leaving the space blank.

• Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Class C California Driver’s license is required.
• Possession of a valid American National Red Cross Standard First Aid and Personal Safety certificate within one year of appointment is required. Evidence of successful completion of training in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation within one year of appointment is required.
• Successful completion of training under Section 832 of the California Penal Code is required within one year of appointment.
• Peace Officers must meet minimum standards concerning citizenship, age, character, education and physical/mental condition as set forth in Section 1031 of the California Government Code.
• Must complete the Juvenile Counselor Core Course certified by the California Board of
  Corrections Standards and Training for Correctional Programs with twelve (12) months.

• Independent travel is required.
• Positions allocated to this class may require bilingual skills.
• Incumbents must be able to work in a restricted, sometimes hostile environment.
• Incumbents of this class should demonstrate necessary knowledge and abilities to be promoted to Group Counselor within eighteen (18) months of appointment.

To be eligible, applicant must have served at least 181 consecutive days of active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States and have received either an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions. A COPY OF THE DD 214, SHOWING DISCHARGE TYPE (GENERALLY COPY 4), MUST BE RECEIVED IN THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT BY THE DEADLINE IDENTIFIED UNDER THE SELECTION PROCESS. Applicants who have a service connected disability must also submit a recent award letter from the VA stating they are receiving disability benefits for service connected reasons.

Veteran applicants for initial County employment with an honorable or general under conditions discharge shall receive five (5) points added to their combined score. Disabled veterans rated at not less than 30% disability shall have ten (10) points added to their combined score. Veteran’s preference points will only be added to passing scores in competitive open examinations.

It is the policy of Solano County that all employment decisions and personnel policies will be applied equally to all County employees and applicants and be based upon the needs of County service, job related merit, and ability to perform the job.

APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES: Qualified individuals with a disability, who are able to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, and need an accommodation during any phase of the recruitment/testing/examination process (as detailed in the “Selection Process”), must complete the following Request for Testing Accommodation by Applicants with Disabilities Form: http://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=23215.

This form must be received in the Human Resources Department by the deadline identified under the selection process of the recruitment. Applicants will be contacted to discuss the specifics of the request.

OUR COMMUNITY
Solano County is the ideal place to live, learn, work and play… The America's Promise Alliance has named Solano County as one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People for six straight years—the only California community with that distinction.

•Live – Solano County as well as cities within the County have ranked in the top 15 hottest markets across the country and within the Bay Area due to prime location and affordability.
•Learn – Higher education abounds! Within the County, education choices include: Solano Community College, CSU Maritime Academy, Brandman University, and Touro University. Bordering our County is the renowned University of California Davis.
•Work – The blend of agriculture, corporate business and pleasant lifestyle enhance the attraction of Solano County. Blessed with a thriving agricultural economy, the county is also home to biotechnology and other growth industries.
•Play - Situated midway between San Francisco and Sacramento—the State capitol, Solano County is home to rolling hillsides, waterfronts and fertile farmland. County residents can enjoy day trips to the San Francisco Bay area, Lake Tahoe region and the Napa and Sonoma Valleys.

County Population (2018): 439,793

The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice.

SOLANO COUNTY IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER