Juvenile Institutional Officer Series

Alameda County; Oakland (CA); On-site; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health benefits

Retirement plan

12 paid holidays

Job summary

A local government agency in Alameda County is seeking a Juvenile Institutional Officer to supervise and counsel youths in detention facilities. The officer will direct activities, provide individual and group counseling, and participate in rehabilitation efforts. Ideal candidates will have a strong understanding of youth psychology and experience in correctional environments. The position supports a mission of public safety and community service, offering competitive benefits and a stable work environment.

Qualifications

• Candidates must be at least 21 years of age.
• Experience in correctional casework or recreational group work.
• Must meet minimum standards for a Peace Officer.

Responsibilities

• Direct activities of detained youths in Juvenile Institutions.
• Provide counseling and supervision to youths.
• Coordinate programs aimed at changing anti-social behavior.

Skills

Principles of psychology

Counseling techniques

Emergency management

Physical restraint techniques

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

Introduction

THIS IS A NEW CONTINUOUS EXAMINATION. The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year, but can be extended. This examination may be reopened as necessary and the names of additional candidates merged onto the existing list according to examination score.

Supplemental Questionnaire: A properly completed Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted with each application. Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing. Failure to submit the Application or Supplemental Questionnaire will result in disqualification. Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires will only be accepted on‑line. This is a continuous filing exam with filing deadlines on the following dates:

• August 31, 2025
• October 31, 2025
• December 31, 2025
• February 28, 2026
• April 30, 2026
• June 30, 2026
• August 31, 2026
• October 31, 2026
• December 31, 2026

If you have previously applied or started an application for the Juvenile Institutional Officer, Examination #25‑6216‑01, please contact the examination analyst, Tracy Gonzalez, at [e-mail] to have your previous application released back to you. In order to reapply, you must have your previous application released back to you. DO NOT SUBMIT A DUPLICATE APPLICATION.

MEN, WOMEN, MINORITIES, AND MILITARY VETERANS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. Veterans who pass the examination process and provide a DD‑214 that meets the County’s criteria will receive additional points added to their final overall score.

DESCRIPTION

Mission Statement

The mission of the Alameda County Probation Department is to protect the public safety by providing supervision, services, support and opportunities to our clients on behalf of the people of Alameda County through quality supervision, leadership, services and effective partnerships.

The Department

The Alameda County Probation Department is an essential element of the County’s system of public protection and human services. The Department’s role is to reduce the impact of crime in the community by providing accurate, comprehensive and timely information and recommendations to the Courts, providing community‑based sanctions and treatment for offenders, and working cooperatively with law enforcement agencies and community organizations with similar objectives. The Department provides a wide range of mandated and discretionary investigative, advisory, and supervisory services to adult and juvenile probationers pursuant to State law and the County Charter.

The Position

Under general supervision, act as group leader in directing the activities of youths detained in Juvenile Institutions; supervise and counsel a group youth placed in Probation facilities; may provide lead direction to entry level Juvenile Institution Officer Associates; and perform related duties as required. The class of Juvenile Institutional Officer is a sworn, journey level in the Juvenile Institutional Officer series. Positions in this class may be located in all Probation areas including, but not limited to, Juvenile Hall, Camp Sweeney, the Court Staging Area, the Weekend Training Academy, Global Positioning Satellite (GPS), Home Supervision, the therapeutic response unit, intake, central control, and medical escort. Juvenile Institutional Officers are assigned a group of youths in one of the Probation Departments' facilities, and are responsible for all aspects of care, custody and control, and short‑term counseling to youths. They may also be assigned to intensive individual and group counseling in the Probation facilities. For example, at Camp, the Juvenile Institutional Officer coordinates recreational and work programs, participates in educational and counseling programs and is regularly assigned group work with a focus on changing anti‑social behavior and developing self‑responsibility. The Juvenile Institutional Officer may be utilized as a lead counselor as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience: The equivalent of one year of full‑time experience in the classification of Juvenile Institutional Officer Associate or in an equivalent or higher level probation classification in the Alameda County classified service.

Experience: The equivalent of one year of full‑time experience in the classification of Juvenile Institutional Officer Intermittent in the Alameda County classified service.

Experience: The equivalent of two years’ full‑time experience in correctional casework or in recreational/correctional group work.

License: Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator’s license. May be required to obtain a Class ’B’ driver’s license. A good driving record according to DMV negligent operator guidelines and qualifications for automotive insurance.

Special Requirements

• Applicants must be at least 21 years of age at the time of appointment.
• Persons appointed to positions in this class in the Probation Department must meet the minimum standards for a Peace Officer (Sec. 1031 Government Code).
• Applicants are not required to be a U.S. citizen, but must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law (Per SB 960).
• Any felony conviction is disqualifying.
• Graduation from high school, a satisfactory score on a G.E.D. test or passing a California High School proficiency examination.
• Fingerprinted for purposes of search of local, state and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal records.
• Found free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition which might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a Peace Officer, as determined by a licensed examining authority in accordance with the California Government Code.
• Within the prescribed time limit after date of appointment, satisfactory completion of training for Juvenile Institutional Officers as specified by the California Board of State and Community Corrections, Peace Officer Standards and Training PC 832, PC 6035 and PC 6036 as required and any other training required under law.
• Must be available to work all shifts and locations.

Knowledge and Skills

Knowledge of:

• Principles of general psychology and child development, including behavior patterns of youth and the causes of youth delinquency.
• Principles of group and individual counseling work as applied to youth.
• Standard health and first aid practices.
• Recreational and leisure time activities.
• Procedures involved in the care, safety, and custody of youth.
• Basic laws and codes governing local welfare, penal, and institutional practices and procedures.
• Local welfare, correctional, and recreational facilities.

Skill in:

• Physically restraining youths.
• Administering first aid.
• Applying restraint devices such as handcuffs, etc.
• The appropriate use and deployment of pepper spray.

Ability to:

• Plan, supervise and direct the activities of a group of youth.
• Maintain firm discipline in a fair and tactful manner.
• Aid in the rehabilitation of youth.
• Secure and maintain the cooperation of coworkers and subordinates.
• Supervise housekeeping and recreational activities appropriate to a detention setting.
• Write accurate and meaningful observation and other types of reports.
• Maintain group control in stressful situations.
• Diffuse crisis situations in a calm and positive manner.
• Work effectively with a variety of youths and adults from various ethnic cultures, social and economic backgrounds.
• Communicate effectively with individuals or groups both orally and in writing.
• Read and interpret departmental policy and procedures.
• Make constructive and appropriate decisions.
• Exercise sound judgment.
• All staff are expected to be fully alert while on duty.

Examination Components

The Examination will consist of the following steps:

• Review of applicants’ applications and supplemental questionnaires to verify possession of the minimum qualifications. Candidates who possess the minimum requirements for the class will move on to the next step.
• Written examination which will be pass/fail. Those candidates attaining a passing score on the written exam will move on to the next step.
• Oral examination which will be weighted as 100% of the candidate’s final examination score.
• Background investigation includes a thorough check of police records, personal, military, and employment histories, and inquiry of persons who know you and evaluate whether you: respect the law and rights of others; are dependable and responsible; have demonstrated mature judgment in areas such as the use of drugs and intoxicants; are honest; and are a safe driver.
• Psychological examination: a licensed clinician evaluates you on the psychological factors related to successful performance to determine if you are presently suited for the difficult and stressful job of Juvenile Institutional Officer Associate.
• Medical examination: the appointee must satisfactorily complete a probationary period.

Candidates must attain a qualifying rating on each portion of the examination. We reserve the right to make changes to the announced examination steps.

Recruitment and Selection Plan

Applicants will be informed via email with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance. The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the Agency.

For applications submitted between January 1st through February 28, 2026:

• Deadline for filing: Continuous
• Review of Minimum Qualifications: Monday, March 2, 2026
• Oral Examination: Week of April 13, 2026

Tentative Selection Plan:

• Background investigation
• Psychological examination
• Medical examination

Benefits

The 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 employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall wellbeing.

• 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, Long‑Term Care, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program
• 12 paid holidays
• Floating holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Management Paid Leave
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• 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
• 1st United Services Credit Union

Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.

Conclusion

All notices related to County recruitments for which you have applied will be sent/delivered via email. Please add @jobaps.com, @acgov.org, [e-mail] and [e-mail] as accepted addresses to any email blocking or spam filtering program you may use. If you do not do this, your email blocking or spam filtering program may block receipt of the notices regarding your application for recruitments. You are also strongly advised to regularly log into your County of Alameda online application account to check for notices that may have been sent to you. All email notices that will be sent to you will also be kept in your personal online application account. You will be able to view all of your notices in your online application account by clicking on the 'My applications' button on the Current Job Openings page.

NOTE: All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email box [e-mail] and [e-mail] are routed to an unmonitored mailbox. If you have questions please go to our website at hrs.alamedacountyca.gov. You may also contact the Human Resources Analyst listed on the bulletin for the recruitment for which you have applied.

Tracy Gonzalez | Human Resources Analyst
Human Resource Services, County of Alameda
510‑272‑5085 | Email: [e-mail]
hrs.alamedacountyca.gov
Disaster Service Worker
All Alameda County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to report to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Equal Employment Opportunity
Alameda County has a diverse workforce, that is representative of the communities we serve, and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance and business need. Alameda County does not discriminate in employment on the basis of, race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non‑merit factors protected under federal, state and local law. Alameda County celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive, and welcoming workplace environment.