Deputy Probation Officer

Description

What We Offer

The County of Ventura offers an attractive compensation and benefits package. Aside from our base salary range, an employee within this position will also be eligible for the following:

• Educational Incentive

• An educational incentive of 2.5% for completion of an Associate's degree, 3.5% for completion of a Bachelor's degree, OR 5% for completion of a Graduate degree.

• Annual Leave

• A candidate selected for this position will earn 112 hours of Annual Leave per year, increasing to 152 hours after 5 years of service.

• Deferred Compensation

• Eligible to participate in the County's 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. This position is eligible for up to a 2.5% match on your 401(k) contributions.

• Health Plans

• You are offered a flexible credit allowance of up to $13,182 annually for purchasing medical, dental, and/or vision insurance from a group of authorized plans.

• Flexible Spending Accounts

• Pre-tax benefit towards eligible medical, dental, and vision care expenses.

• Pension Plan- Participation in the County's defined pension plan. If eligible, you may establish reciprocity with other public retirement systems such as CalPERS.

• Bilingual Incentive

• Proficiency levels by exam are $.65 per hour (Level I), $1.00 per hour (Level (II), or $2.00 per hour (Level III).

• Holidays

• 12 paid days per year which includes a scheduled floating holiday.

• Uniform Allowance

• A uniform allowance of $800 on November 1st of each year.

• Textbook and Tuition

• Up to a maximum of $2,000 per fiscal year in accordance with the memorandum of agreement.

The Position

Under general supervision, a Deputy Probation Officer (DPO) reviews, investigates and recommends disposition of juvenile and adult cases; determines appropriate treatment plans; monitors the progress of those placed on probation; refers probationers to appropriate community resources; provides casework services for youth housed in a detention facility or supervised by a field supervision unit; can be assigned to an armed or unarmed unit; and performs related duties as required. DPOs perform arrests, residential searches and other peace officer duties and work with other law enforcement agencies to promote public safety. DPOs may also assume responsibilities for a unit Senior DPO in the senior's/supervisor's absence, perform assignments requiring specialized skills, and assist in training, evaluating, and reviewing the work of lesser tenured or subordinate personnel.

Payroll Title: Deputy Probation Officer

Deputy Probation Officer is represented by Ventura County Professional Peace Officers Association (VCPPOA) and is eligible for overtime compensation.

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future Regular, Temporary, Fixed-term, Intermittent, and Extra Help vacancies within the Ventura County Probation Agency.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

OPENING DATE: January 17, 2024

CLOSING DATE: Continuous and may close at any time; therefore, the schedule for the remainder of the process will depend upon when we receive a sufficient number of qualified applications to meet business needs.

REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS:Applications will be reviewed weekly beginning the week of February 5, 2024.

Examples Of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Organize, analyze, and evaluate case data; prepare complex written reports and case histories; and may submit such reports/histories and related written and oral recommendations to the Court.

• Interview juveniles and/or adults in an office or custodial setting to gather pertinent information regarding the offense committed, behavioral patterns and social history of the individuals.

• Design appropriate treatment plans in areas such as employment, education, health, mental health, and substance abuse by using both departmental and community resources.

• Supervise juveniles and adults on probation; enforce the conditions of probation ordered by the Court; report the relative progress of the probationer to the Court.

• Develop specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish work and perform day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information, files, and processing paperwork.

• Maintain timely and accurate caseload records.

• Develop constructive and cooperative working relationships with others and maintain open and effective communication with supervisors, peers, and subordinates in a professional manner.

• Participate in and/or lead group sessions with probationers, their families, treatment providers, and others regarding case management.

• Cooperate with representatives of law enforcement, courts, public sector, and community-based organizations in areas of mutual interest to promote public safety.

• Perform probation sweeps, arrests, residential searches, and investigations with other law enforcement agencies to promote public safety.

• Exercise armed and/or unarmed peace officer powers of arrest which could include proper use of restraint techniques to subdue and/or arrest probationers.

• Search probationers and their property and obtain samples of bodily fluids for substance abuse testing.

• Participate in the arming program when selected, successfully complete all training courses and range requirements, and maintain proficiency in the use of Agency issued firearms.

• Transport probationers and other individuals as necessary.

• Perform other duties as required.

Typical Qualifications

These are entrance requirements to the examination process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

Education/Experience:

Any combination of education, experience and/or training which would indicate possession of the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs). Possession of the requisite KSAs can be demonstrated by:

A) Possession of or will have obtained by time of hire a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university, preferably with a major in behavioral science, social science, psychology, sociology, criminology, or a related field.

OR

B) Possession of or will have obtained by time of hire an Associate's degree from an accredited college/university OR sixty (60) semester units of academic coursework PLUS two (2) years of experience in custodial care, probation, parole, treatment counseling, casework, corrections, law enforcement, public safety, and/or a criminal investigations.

OR

C) Four (4) years of experience in custodial care, probation, parole, treatment counseling, casework, corrections, law enforcement, public safety, and/or criminal investigations.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:All levels of the DPO class series are "Peace Officers" pursuant to both the Penal and Government Codes of the State of California and applicants must therefore:

• Be at least 18 years of age;

• Have either earned a high school diploma or passed the General Education Development (GED) Test indicating attainment of the equivalent of a high school education`;

• Possess at time of hire and thereafter maintain a valid, Class C, California driver license;

• NOT be a convicted felon; and,

• Be a U.S. citizen, a permanent resident alien who has applied for citizenship, or be legally authorized to work in the United States. If hired, a permanent resident must provide proof of his/her application status with the United States Department of Homeland Security, Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Failure to cooperate with the USCIS to maintain required status or to be denied citizenship will result in dismissal from employment.

• Be found to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition, including bias against race or ethnicity, gender, nationality, religion, disability, or sexual orientation, that might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer.

ADDITIONAL SELECTION & EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION:

Physical/Medical and Psychological Requirements

• Prior to final appointment, applicants must submit to physical/medical and psychological examinations provided by the County to determine their ability to meet Peace Officer standards. The physical/medical examination will determine whether the applicant has the dexterity, strength, endurance and physical ability to restrain combative/violent individuals. The psychological examination will include the administration of psychological tests, an assessment of psychological factors, and an interview with a County-designated psychologist.

Background Investigation

• Applicants must be of good moral character, as determined by a thorough background investigation which involves contacting references and fingerprinting for search and disclosure of a criminal record. As part of this investigation, applicants may be subject to a polygraph examination and/or a voice stress analysis.

Training

• DPOs are required to successfully complete all required State-mandated training (225+ hours) during their first year of employment and at least forty (40) hours of approved training each year thereafter. In addition, DPO's are required to participate in and successfully complete all officer safety training classes and maintain proficiency in Agency approved tactics such as control/restraint methods, the use of Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) pepper spray, mechanical restraints, and blocking and defensive striking techniques.

Probationary Period

• Individuals appointed to the position of DPO are required to serve at least a one (1) year probationary period subject to satisfactory performance and successful completion of all mandatory training.

Recruitment Process

FINAL FILING DATE: This is a continuous recruitment and can be closed at any time; therefore, it is to your advantage to apply as soon as possible. The schedule for the remainder of the process will depend upon when we receive a sufficient number of qualified applications to meet business needs.

To apply on-line, please refer to our web site at www.ventura.org/jobs. If you prefer to fill out a paper application form, please call (805) 654-5129 for application materials and submit them to County of Ventura Human Resources, 800 South Victoria Avenue, L-1970, Ventura, CA 93009.

Applicants must provide sufficient information under the Education/Work Experience portion of the application and supplemental questionnaire in order to determine eligibility. A resume may be attached to supplement your responses in the above-referenced sections; however, it may not be submitted in lieu of the application.

NOTE: If presently permanently employed in another "merit" or "civil service" public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a "merit" or "civil service" style examination, then appointment by "Lateral Transfer" may be possible. If interested, please click here (Download PDF reader) for additional information.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE - qualifying: All applicants are required to complete and submit this questionnaire for this examination AT THE TIME OF FILING. The supplemental questionnaire is considered part of the application and may be used throughout the examination process to assist in determining each applicant's qualifications and acceptability for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire may result in the application being removed from consideration.

Please note that all applicants must be willing and able to work all shifts and work site locations, and must indicate this on their application and supplemental questionnaires.

APPLICATION EVALUATION - qualifying: All applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed to determine whether or not the stated requirements are met. Those individuals meeting the stated requirements will be invited to continue to the next step in the screening and selection process.

WRITTEN EXAMINATION

• Pass/Fail: A job related, written examination will be conducted to evaluate and compare participating candidates' knowledge, skills, and abilities in relation to those factors which have been determined to be essential for successful performance of the job. Candidates must earn a score of 70% or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list and those who do pass will be given a score of 70% and will be placed on the eligible list.

Candidates successfully completing the examination process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: After successful completion of the written examination process, certified candidates will undergo a thorough background investigation that will include, but not necessarily be limited to, contacting personal, educational and business references, and Livescan fingerprinting for a criminal records check. Additionally, certified candidates will undergo a polygraph, psychological, and medical examination. Those entering the background process are required to provide a current (issued within the past 30 days) Department of Motor Vehicles printout (K4 - 10 year driving record) to the Background Investigator.

PRACTICAL (PHYSICAL AGILITY) EXAMINATION

• Pass/Fail: Prior to appointment, a job related physical agility examination will be administered. The physical agility examination may consist of exercises to measure the candidate's level of fitness and physical abilities to perform the essential functions of the assignment. The physical agility examination may include, but is not limited to the following events: 75 yard run in 18 seconds maximum, 165 manikin drag for 20 feet within 30 seconds, and a weighted agility run of 100 yards consisting of picking up a fire extinguisher and a first aid bag at the 25 mark, and carrying it back through the course in 35 seconds maximum.

CONDITIONAL OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT: Certified candidates may receive a conditional offer of employment pending successful completion of physical/medical and psychological examinations.

For further information regarding this recruitment, please contact Kristy Madrigal by e-mail at Kristy.Madrigal@ventura.org or by telephone at (805) 654-5094.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.