Probation Officer I (Probation Department) - #1026-RP2001-AC

San Joaquin County Probation; Stockton (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 73,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Job summary

San Joaquin County Probation Department in Stockton seeks qualified applicants for probation officer roles. Preliminary requirements include passing a pre- employment physical and drug screen, plus a thorough background investigation.

Final appointment depends on successful completion of the law enforcement background process. Applicants may be invited to orientation after passing the written exam, and the department houses an involved set of duties from investigations to court testimony, case

Qualifications

• Education: Graduation from an accredited four‑year college or university; preferably in administration of justice, corrections, psychology, sociology, counseling or related field.
• License: Possession of a valid California driver’s license.
• Training: Peace officer status per Penal Code; CORE training within the first year.
• Special Requirements: at least 21 years old; pass background; pass physical and psychological examinations; qualify for firearm use for field positions.

Responsibilities

• Learn to conduct probation investigations and prepare court reports, researching case histories and interpreting complex materials.
• Represent the Department in court proceedings, file/serve legal papers, and present factual information.
• Supervise a caseload of probationers, explain conditions, monitor progress, and enforce compliance.
• Establish victim restitution and monitor payments; coordinate with health and social service agencies for treatment needs.
• Maintain records and case files, utilize departmental computer systems, and enter/retrieve data from information systems.
• Transport individuals, exercise arrest powers, and participate in searches as required; may use force when necessary.
• Serve as a community resource and collaborate with outside agencies; participate in trainings and public outreach.

Job description

This examination is being given to fill several vacancies in the San Joaquin County Probation Department and to establish an eligible list which may be used to fill future vacancies. Potential new hires into this classification are required to successfully pass a pre‑employment physical examination, a pre‑employment drug screen and an extensive law enforcement background investigation as a condition of employment. Final appointment cannot be made unless the eligible candidate has passed the drug screen, physical and successfully completed the Law Enforcement background process. The County pays for the initial drug screen and physical. Candidates who pass the written exam will be invited to attend a mandatory orientation, where they will be given the Personal History Statement (PHS) – background packet – and instructions for completing it. To preview the PHS, click on the link to the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) form 2‑251: Personal History Statement – Peace Officer.

44 N San Joaquin St, Third Floor, Suite 330, Stockton, California 95202

salary $5,382.21‑$6,542.12 MONTHLY

These positions generally work Monday ‑ Friday during the hours of 7am ‑ 7pm, depending on the shift.

TYPICAL DUTIES

• Learns to conduct probation investigations and make reports to the Court; researches case histories; interprets a variety of complex technical materials including medical, legal, financial and scientific reports and documents; interviews clients, families, victims, schools, and others to formulate goals and treatment plans for clients; compiles data, establishes facts, draws valid conclusions and submits recommendations.
• Learns to represent the Department during Court proceedings by making persuasive presentations of facts, defending recommendations and testifying as a witness; prepares, files and/or serves legal papers.
• Learns to supervise a caseload of juvenile or adult probationers to ensure compliance with terms and conditions of probation; explains conditions of probation to clients and families; implements treatment modalities and assesses progress during treatment; violates probation of individuals not following the orders of the Court.
• Learns to establish victim restitution and monitor payment compliance.
• Learns to work with health, social service, group home, or other support agencies to implement the treatment needs of probationers; makes referrals to treatment programs; assesses the progress, development and ongoing needs of clients; makes periodic reports to the Court on client status; counsels and acts as liaison between probationers, families, and others; makes recommendations for dismissal of cases where satisfactory progress has been achieved; resolves crises; may facilitate a variety of staff and/or client training programs.
• Learns to process and investigate stepparent adoptions and other matters as ordered by the Court.
• Learns to maintain a variety of records and case files; prepares case histories, reports, legal documents, and memoranda, utilizing departmental computer systems; enters and retrieves data from automated law enforcement information systems.
• Learns to transport individuals, exercise powers of arrest and participate in searches of probationers and their property as required; on occasion, may physically restrain or subdue individuals, when appropriate, for the safety and protection of themselves and others.
• May serve as a community resource; speaks before public groups and serves on boards and/or committees as the Department representative; collaborates with outside public and private agencies.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Graduation from an accredited four‑year college or university, preferably with a degree in administration of justice, corrections, psychology, sociology, counseling or a related social or behavioral science. Applicants enrolled in their last semester/quarter will be accepted to the examination process but must provide evidence of graduation prior to being certified from the eligibility list.

License: Possession of a valid California driver’s license.

Training Requirements: Employees in this class are peace officers as defined by section 830.5 of the Penal Code and must satisfy the State of California criteria for peace officer status. Appointees will be required to meet state‑mandated CORE training requirements as defined by Standards and Training in Corrections (STC). As part of this requirement, employees must successfully complete probation officer CORE training during the first year of appointment.

Special Requirements: (1) must be at least 21 years of age upon appointment; (2) must meet minimum standards required for Peace Officers as set forth in Section 1029 and 1031 of the Government Code; (3) must pass a background investigation; (4) must meet physical standards established for County Safety employees, including a psychological examination; and (5) must qualify for use of a firearm when assigned to a field position.

KNOWLEDGE

Principles of written and oral communication including a thorough knowledge of language mechanics, syntax, and composition; principles and methods of logic and data organization; mathematics, basic statistics and research methods; principles and theories of sociology and psychology, particularly those related to assessment and adjustment of adult and juvenile personality development, behavior patterns and motivation; group and family dynamics; basic interviewing and investigation techniques; basic social casework practice, educational norms, treatment modalities and crisis intervention; basic concepts of law enforcement as well as probation and court practices; basic knowledge of socio‑economic, psychosocial, and cultural influences on individual behavior.

ABILITY

Learn to make recommendations based upon investigative results; learn to manage a probation caseload; learn to prepare, review and edit comprehensive court reports and case files; learn to interpret, explain and apply applicable laws, codes and regulations; learn to make sound decisions in emergency or crisis situations; learn to work with and obtain the cooperation of juvenile and adult probationers, their families and concerned government and private agencies; read and comprehend complex written material involving difficult concepts and issues; gather and analyze data; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; pay attention to detail; operate a computer; use a firearm; work a variety of shifts, as assigned; establish and maintain effective working relationships with other probation staff, law enforcement officials, the public, and others.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

Mobility—frequent standing, walking, stooping, bending, climbing stairs, driving; constant use of a computer; occasional use of a firearm; Lifting—able to lift 50 pounds; Visual—constant overall vision; constant color perception, constant eye‑hand coordination; constant depth perception; frequent reading/close‑up work; constant field of vision/peripheral; Dexterity—frequent repetitive motion and reaching; Hearing/Talking—constant requirement to hear normal speech; constant hearing on telephone and radio; ability to hear faint sounds; constant talking on telephone/radio; Emotional/Psychological—potential contact with hostile individuals; exposure to emergency situations; may be exposed to trauma, grief and death; frequent public contact; decision‑making and concentration; Special Requirements—some assignments may require working weekends, nights, and/or occasional overtime; Environmental—occasional exposure to varied weather conditions. San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

San Joaquin County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer and is committed to providing equal employment to all without regard to age, ancestry, color, creed, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation or belief, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. For more information go to Equal Employment Opportunity Division (sjgov.org).

BENEFITS

Health Insurance: San Joaquin County provides employees with a choice of three health plans: a Kaiser Plan, a Select Plan, and a Premier Plan. Employees pay a portion of the cost of the premium. Dependent coverage is available for all plans.

Dental Insurance: The County provides employees with a choice of two dental plans: Delta Dental and United Health Care‑Select Managed Care Direct Compensation Plan. There is no cost for employee only coverage in either plan; dependent coverage is available at the employee’s expense.

Vision Insurance: The County provides vision coverage through Vision Service Plan (VSP). There is no cost for employee only coverage; dependent coverage is available at the employee’s expense.

For more detailed information on the County’s benefits program, visit our website at www.sjgov.org under Human Resources/Benefits.

Life Insurance: The County provides eligible employees with life insurance coverage as follows:

1 but less than 3 years of continuous service: $1,000
3 but less than 5 years of continuous service: $3,000
5 but less than 10 years of continuous service: $5,000
10 years of continuous service or more: $10,000

Employees may purchase additional term life insurance to a maximum of $200,000 at the group rate.

125 Flexible Benefits Plan: This is a voluntary program that allows employees to use pre‑tax dollars to pay for health‑related expenses that are not paid by a medical, dental or vision plan (Health Flexible Spending Account $2,550 annual limit with a $500 carry over); and dependent care costs (Dependent Care Assistance Plan $5,000 annual limit).

Retirement Plan: Employees of the County are covered by the County Retirement Act of 1937. Please visit the San Joaquin County Employees’ Retirement Association (SJCERA) at www.sjcera.org for more information. NOTE: If you are receiving a retirement allowance from another California county covered by the County Employees’ Retirement Act of 1937 or from any governmental agency covered by the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS), you are advised to contact the Retirement Officer of the Retirement Plan from which you retired to determine what effect employment in San Joaquin County would have on your retirement allowance. Employees hired into the following classifications on or after 12/31/90 are considered Safety Members: Probation Officer I, II, III, and Probation Unit Supervisor.

Deferred Compensation: The County maintains a deferred compensation plan under Section 457 of the IRS code. You may annually contribute $22,500 or 100% of your includible compensation, whichever is less. Individuals age 50 or older may contribute to their plan, up to $30,000. The Roth IRA (after tax) is also now available.

Vacation: Maximum earned vacation is 10 days each year up to 3 years; 15 days after 3 years; 20 days after 10 years; and 23 days after 20 years.

Holiday: Depending on date of hire into the unit, employees earn either 10 or 14 holidays per year.

Sick Leave: 12 working days of sick leave annually with unlimited accumulation. Sick leave incentive: An employee is eligible to receive eight hours administrative leave if the leave balance equals at least one‑half of the cumulative amount that the employee is eligible to accrue. The employee must also be on payroll during the entire calendar year.

Bereavement Leave: 3 days of paid leave for the death of an immediate family member, 2 additional days of accrued leave for death of employee’s spouse, domestic partner, parent or child.

Merit Salary Increase: New employees will receive the starting salary, which is the first step of the salary range. After employees serve 52 weeks (2,080 hours) on each step of the range, they are eligible for a merit increase to the next step.

Bilingual Pay: Each employee who is designated by the appointing authority and approved by the County Administrator and who has passed a bilingual proficiency examination administered by the Human Resources Division shall receive a bi‑weekly supplement of $50.

Pre‑Employment Physical Exam: If required, will be conducted at Dameron Hospital at no cost to the employee.

Educational Reimbursement Program: Eligible employees may be reimbursed for career‑related course work up to a maximum of $850 per fiscal year. Eligible employees enrolled in an approved four (4) year College or University academic program may be reimbursed up to $800 per semester for a maximum of $1,600 per fiscal year.

Probation Officer Training: Probation Officers shall be allowed to attend seminars, workshops, out‑of‑town conferences, and have educational leave on County time consistent with the County’s educational conference and seminar policy.

Parking Supplemental Downtown Stockton: The County contributes up to $17 per pay period for employees who pay for parking and are assigned to work in the Downtown Core Area.

School Activities: Employees may take up to 40 hours per year, but not more than eight (8) hours per month, to participate in their children’s school activities.

Selection Procedures

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will go through the following examination process:

• Written Exam: The civil service written exam is a multiple choice format. If the written exam is administered alone, it will be 100% of the overall score. Candidates must achieve a minimum rating of 70% in order to be placed on the eligible list.
• Oral Exam: The oral exam is a structured interview process that will assess the candidate’s education, training, and experience and may include a practical exercise. The oral exam selection process is not a hiring interview. A panel of up to four people will determine the candidate’s score and rank for placement on the eligible list. Top candidates from the eligible list are referred for hiring interviews. If the oral exam is administered alone, it will be 100% of the overall score. Candidates must achieve a minimum rating of 70% in order to be placed on the eligible list.
• Written & Oral Exam: If both a written exam and an oral exam is administered, the written exam is weighted at 60% and the oral exam is weighted at 40% unless otherwise indicated on the announcement. Candidates must achieve a minimum rating of 70% on each examination in order to be placed on the eligible list.
• Rate‑out: A rate‑out is an examination that involves a paper rating of the candidate’s application using the following criteria: education, training, and experience. Candidates will not be scheduled for the rate‑out process.

Note: The rating of 70 referred to may be the same or other than an arithmetic 70% of the total possible points.