Job Details

Shasta County Probation Officer

The current vacancy is in the Shasta County Probation Department. Written exams are scheduled monthly on the third Thursday at 9:00 AM and 5:30 PM (June's exam will be held on the fourth Thursday). Responses to supplemental questions are required. Applications will be reviewed weekly until positions are filled. This recruitment will be used to fill multiple vacancies. Final filing date: continuous.

Salary information: Deputy Probation Officer I: $4,568 - $5,830 approximate monthly / $26.35 - $33.63 approximate hourly. Deputy Probation Officer II: $5,036 - $6,428 approximate monthly / $29.05 - $37.08 approximate hourly. Please refer to the appropriate Bargaining Unit Memorandum of Understanding for potential future salary increases. About the position: Under general supervision, to investigate, assess, and manage cases involving adult or juvenile offenders; to prepare reports and make recommendations to the courts, to monitor compliance with probation conditions and assist in the rehabilitation of adults or juveniles through prevention services, supervision and guidance; and to perform related work as required. Special note: An individual will be required to pass a background investigation relevant to working in a law enforcement office or facility prior to being hired. Availability for day, swing, and graveyard shifts is required.

About Shasta County: Shasta County offers all the amenities of the big city while retaining a comfortable small-town atmosphere. With its natural beauty, affordable housing, excellent educational system, abundance of recreational opportunities, and excellent quality of life, Shasta County is a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

About the Department: The Probation Department conducts pre-sentence investigations, prepares pre-sentence reports, and makes placement recommendations for juveniles and adults accused of felonies. Following sentencing, the department monitors all individuals given terms of probation. The major divisions and "core" functions of the department are adult and juvenile intake, and adult and juvenile supervision.

Distinguishing Characteristics: Deputy Probation Officer I: This is the entry and trainee level in the probation officer class series. Although tasks performed are common to those of the next higher level of Deputy Probation Officer II, incumbents are assigned the more routine cases and function within well-defined guidelines under more direct supervision. Deputy Probation Officer II: This is the journey level within the probation officer class series. Incumbents in this class will have a basic understanding of probation work and have acquired the essential skills to perform general investigative and case management duties. This class is distinguished from the next higher class of Deputy Probation Officer III in that incumbents in the latter class typically have greater experience and have demonstrated the ability to perform more difficult assignments requiring greater skill, knowledge and judgment, and have a more comprehensive understanding of departmental policies and procedures.

Examples of Essential Duties

Deputy Probation Officer I: Conducts pre-sentence case investigations, interviews offenders and others, having information regarding the offender or the offense; prepares court recommendations for sentencing, probation conditions and rehabilitative programs; conduct investigations and prepare reports on findings; maintain supervision of probationers; make probationers accountable to the terms of their release while promoting a satisfactory social adjustment; make court appearance and make recommendations to the court regarding case disposition; collaborate with staff from other agencies in cases of mutual interest; confer with superiors and other staff members on general casework techniques and specific case situations; prepare and maintain case records and reports; make recommendations for dismissal of cases when satisfactory compliance and adjustment have been attained or for revocation of probation or other disposition in cases failing to adjust adequately; perform delinquency prevention duties, participate in intervention programs, conduct compliance checks and searches of offenders homes and property; conduct surveillance operations; perform physical arrests; work in multi-agency law enforcement efforts such as DUI checkpoints and anti-gang enforcement. Deputy Probation Officer II: Conducts pre-court case investigations, interviews offenders and others having information regarding the offender or the offense; prepares court reports and makes recommendations for conditions and rehabilitative programs; conducts investigations and reports on findings; explains conditions of probation to the probationers, their families, and interested individuals; maintains contact with probationers to assist in making a satisfactory social adjustment; may appear in court while cases are under consideration and make recommendations to the court regarding disposition; cooperates with staff from other agencies in cases of mutual interest; confers with superiors and other staff members on general casework techniques and specific case situations; prepares and maintains case records and reports; makes recommendations for dismissal of cases when satisfactory adjustment has been effected or for revocation of probation or other disposition in cases failing to adjust adequately; may perform delinquency prevention duties, participate in intervention programs, monitor probationers for compliance with probation conditions, coordinate home visits and searches with law enforcement, work with local agencies and groups; consults with law enforcement agencies; prepares and maintains case records and reports.

Qualifications

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below. Any combination of education and experience sufficient to directly demonstrate possession and application of the following: Deputy Probation Officer I: Knowledge of the theory and concepts of basic casework practices, the principles of applied psychology and evidence-based practices, basic interviewing techniques, and proficient writing techniques. Ability to learn the principles and practices of modern adult and juvenile probation work; learn court procedures relating to probation; learn State laws and County ordinances affecting adult and juvenile probation; learn to effectively manage a caseload; learn to administer with fidelity and interpret evidence-based assessments and create referrals and reports based on the information gathered and submitted, have tolerance and show good judgment and act accordingly in a professional environment; speak and write effectively; learn to prepare comprehensive reports and maintain accurate records; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. These employment standards are typically attained with a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university OR current enrollment in an accredited college or university in good standing and successful completion of a minimum of 90-100 semester units. Deputy Probation Officer II: Knowledge of principles of adult and juvenile probation work and court procedures relating to probation; Federal, State and local laws and ordinances affecting adults and juveniles; probation principles and techniques of effective casework; evidence-based practices; the causes, extent, prevention, and control of crime and delinquency; interviewing and counseling techniques. Ability to understand and deal effectively with probationers and applicants for probation; interpret court orders and make appropriate related decisions; effectively manage a large and complex caseload; analyze material and take appropriate action; exercise skilled judgment in probation matters; learn to administer with fidelity and interpret evidence-based assessments and create referrals and reports based on the information gathered and submitted; prepare comprehensive reports and maintain accurate financial records; speak and write effectively; organize work and establish priorities; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. Minimum qualifications: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university AND one (1) year of experience comparable to that of Deputy Probation Officer I with Shasta County. Special requirement: Possession of a valid California driver license. Individuals with a felony conviction may not apply for positions as peace officers. Advancement to the journey level class of DPO II requires successful completion of the probation officer basic CORE academy within one year of employment.

Supplemental questions: Responses to the following must be submitted with a completed application.

1. Do you have a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university? Yes/No. If "Yes" please state from which accredited college or university you received your degree from, and in what field. If No, please type "N/A".
2. Are you currently enrolled in an accredited college or university in good standing and successfully completed a minimum of 90 semester units? Yes/No If "Yes", please provide the amount of completed semester units, and current enrollment status. If No, please type "N/A".
3. I acknowledge that if I don't provide my Bachelor's degree or enrolled units information, my application will not be moved forward for further consideration. Yes/No
4. Have you completed the Deputy Probation Officer Core Training? Yes/No
5. Do you have one (1) year of experience comparable to that of a Deputy Probation Officer I with Shasta County? If "Yes," please provide details including, but not limited to, employers, dates of employment, and job duties. If "No," type "N/A".
6. I acknowledge that this position requires a valid California driver's license. Yes/No

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close