Job Specifications

COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ

Under direction, conduct investigations and prepare recommendations to the courts in probation cases involving adults or juveniles; perform casework services for a caseload of adult and/or juvenile offenders and their families including the referral, supervision, counseling and rehabilitation of juveniles and adults on probation; divert offenders from further involvement in the justice system; interview detainees to gather and analyze background information; make recommendations to the Court concerning bail adjustments and "own recognizance" releases; and perform other duties as required.

Deputy Probation Officer I is the entry and trainee level class in the Probation Officer series. Incumbents work under relatively close supervision while they develop their skills and abilities in probation casework. Incumbents must successfully complete the Probation Officer core training course in the Standards and Training for Corrections Program (STC). After completing core STC training, gaining experience and the ability to work with a substantial degree of independence, incumbents are expected to promote to the class of Deputy Probation Officer II, normally after one year. This class is distinguished from the next higher class of Deputy Probation Officer II in that the latter works more independently, performs the full range of probation duties and is expected to rotate to any generalist assignment within the department.

Deputy Probation Officer II is the journey level in the professional Probation Officer series. Incumbents perform the full range of probation duties and are expected to rotate to any generalist assignment within the Department. Incumbents work independently and are required to possess casework management skills, initiative and professional judgment.

This class is distinguished from the next higher class of Deputy Probation Officer III in that the latter is responsible for serving as a unit supervisor responsible for supervising, training, scheduling and evaluating the work of a group of subordinate Probation Officers and/or for managing the most difficult, complex and sensitive cases. Both levels require the willingness to work overtime and irregular hours including weekends, and to travel within the State.

Conduct dispositional or pre-sentence investigations of adults and juveniles by interviewing offenders, families, victims, witnesses, police officers and others concerned to assess potential for successful probation, progress while on probation or to recommend sentences; in conjunction with direct service providers, write treatment plans for offenders in the areas of medical, mental health, employment, education and substance abuse; assess the effectiveness of treatment plans and keep direct service providers apprised of progress or problems; serve as an information and referral source for offenders; assess children and families for risk factors that could lead to out-of-home placement; provide placement prevention services; place and monitor wards in out-of-home care; prepare an evaluation of the offender and the circumstances of the offense for the Court, interpret findings and recommend a plan of rehabilitation or sentencing focusing on protection of the community and rehabilitation and potential behavior modification of the offender; compose and dictate correspondence and complex reports for Court use; use computer to prepare reports and access the computerized case management system; contact victims to establish restitution and provide victims' rights information; counsel with juvenile and/or adult offenders and others concerned, according to a rehabilitation plan, with an ultimate goal of successful rehabilitation and discharge from probation; make arrests and search persons; perform drug tests within chain of evidence procedures; may serve as the court officer by appearing in court to represent the department, to present probation reports and to respond to questions concerning probation recommendations; supervise and counsel wards of the juvenile court and juveniles on informal probation; arrange job placements; contact school officials for progress of juveniles on probation; supervise and counsel adult offenders placed on probation through personal interviews, written reports or by telephone calls; set up reporting requirements, payment schedules and court ordered counseling; counsel and guide probationers and assist in solving their emotional and social problems; assure that offenders comply with the terms and conditions of probation; inform juveniles, adults and their families of available community resources; make periodic reports to the court on the progress, development and needs of probationers; make recommendations to dismiss cases when satisfactory adjustments and/or restitution has been completed; inform the court of violations of probationers and recommend action; apprehend violators for return to custody; work with and secure the cooperation of social, law enforcement, recreational, religious, education and other agencies concerned with rehabilitation; arrange for court appearances for client and families; transport individuals when necessary; compose and dictate petitions, case histories and correspondence; keep records; serve as the officer for the day to provide general probation information to the public and professional agencies; may represent the Department at community meetings, committees and task forces; attend meetings; input, access and analyze data using a computer; review detention housing files on all adult inmates brought into custody to determine those eligible for the possibility of release and place those files in priority order; interview detainees in a locked facility covering areas such as residence, ties to the community and employment; verify information obtained in interviews; conduct background checks; gather and review criminal history records; obtain information from a variety of sources such as judges, victims, employers, families and friends of detainees, Probation, Parole, and Mental Health; act as a liaison with records personnel, judges, court staff and other criminal justice and social service agencies; evaluate information, prepare reports, and make recommendations to the Court concerning bail adjustments and conditions for release; appear in court as required to provide information and testimony; maintain files and records regarding case disposition; monitor the status of released persons and investigate the whereabouts of defendants who fail to appear in court; prepare correspondence and paper work such as agreements to appear, reminder letters, bail enhancement forms; compile statistics; answer inquiries from the public, court and detention personnel regarding detainee's status; and enter and access computerized information.

Working knowledge of:

• Fundamental principles of human behavior and psychology.
• Interviewing and investigative techniques.

Some knowledge of:

• The principles of penology as they affect persons in legal custody.
• Social, economic and psychological forces that affect behavior.
• Community and governmental resources available for probationers.
• Office procedures, practices and record-keeping systems.
• Functions and services of a probation department.

Working knowledge of the above, plus:

• Principles and practices of probation and rehabilitation.
• Criminal justice systems, including operation of the Courts
• Federal and State laws, regulations and procedures including probation services, criminal offenses and arrests.
• Control of crime and delinquency.

• Abilities required of all positions, level I as trainee and level II as journey:
• Learn and apply principles and practices of probation work and casework experience.
• Interview persons from diverse socio-economic, cultural and educational backgrounds and obtain confidential information.
• Gather and analyze investigative materials, exercise sound judgment in the assessment of family and personal problems, and weigh and determine the truth and importance of statements of evidence.
• Assess, through observation, the possible presence of substance abuse or mental health problems, and make the appropriate referrals.
• Make realistic and suitable casework recommendations about the lives of detainees, offenders and probationers.
• Understand, interpret, explain and apply Federal and State laws and county ordinances, policies and procedures.
• Work well under considerable pressure of deadlines, heavy workload and with upset, antagonistic or manipulative detainees, offenders, probationers and their families.
• Manage assigned caseload and establish caseload priorities to meet legal and departmental requirements.
• Use computer and word processing programs to prepare reports.
• Learn to use computer case management system.
• Effectively utilize community resources.
• Learn to use dictating equipment, physical restraints, drug testing devices, and radios.
• Write clear, concise and objective reports in which conclusions and recommendations are adequately supported.
• Orally present and explain facts and situations effectively.
• Prepare and maintain accurate records, case files and statistical reports.
• Lift items weighing up to 35 pounds from the floor, such as bins containing file folders.
• Learn to input, access and analyze data using a computer.
• Perform the full range of generalist duties with considerable skill, initiative and professional judgment.
• Diffuse potentially volatile situations.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with judges, detainees, clients, law enforcement personnel, Mental Health employees, and others contacted in the course of business.
• Learn to read criminal history sheets, from a variety of sources such as the FBI, DMV, and state and local law enforcement agencies.
• Work independently with little supervision.
• Work in locked facilities.
• Push and pull heavy doors to gain access to locked facilities.
• Distinguish mechanical sounds such as warning alarms and low volume conversations in a noisy environment.

Any combination of education and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and abilities, is qualifying, unless otherwise specified. A typical way to obtain these would be:

Deputy Probation Officer I: Equivalent to completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited four year college or university in psychology, sociology, social services, humanities, criminal justice or a related field or two years of experience performing duties comparable to those of Probation Aide in Santa Cruz County.

Deputy Probation Officer II: One year of experience performing duties comparable to a Deputy Probation Officer I in Santa Cruz County and successful completion of the core training course for Probation Officers as mandated by the Standards and Training for Corrections Program.

License/Certificate Requirements: Possess a valid California class C driver license; complete mandated Standards and Training for Corrections Program requirements.

Background Investigation: Ability to pass a full background investigation to meet provisions of Government Code 1029, 1029.1 and 1031.

Special Working Conditions: All assignments: Exposure to the possibility of bodily injury; potentially hostile clients; heights of up to 12 feet, such as climbing ladders; dust and pollens; offensive odors; infections which might cause chronic disease or death; insect bites. Work Furlough assignment: Exposure to high levels of noise; moving machinery; toxins; and chemical irritants.

Other Special Working Requirements: Must be a citizen of the United States or a permanent resident alien who has applied for citizenship at least one year prior to application for employment in accordance with Section 1031.5 of the Government Code; availability to work a flexible schedule, including evening, weekends, holidays and on an emergency, as needed basis.

PREVIOUS TITLES: None

Bargaining Unit: General Rep

EEOC Job Category: 02

Occupational Grouping: 68

Worker's Comp Code: 0285