Probation Technician

Job Description:

Probation Technician

Description

About the Opportunity

THIS RECRUITMENT WILL CLOSE AFTER 75 APPLICATIONS ARE COLLECTED. PLEASE APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO BE CONSIDERED.

THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

Stanislaus County Probation is seeking a team member who has an understanding of the criminal justice system and the role of Probation. Employees in this classification must be able to effectively communicate, verbally and in writing, with the public and Department staff.

To learn more about the Probation Department, click here .

THE POSITION

The Probation Technician, working under the direct supervision of the Supervising Probation Officer, may be assigned to intake, investigation, supervision, or multi-agency collaborative projects in adult or juvenile casework in a variety of locations in the Probation Department. The Probation Technician will have direct and independent contact with probationers to interview, obtain information, explain terms and conditions of probation, refer to community resources for courses and counseling, and refer to community services opportunities.

Under general supervision, to perform non-peace officer support services for Probation Department professional staff; conducts evaluative, interpretive and advisory services for adult and youth offenders; and performs related work as required.

Probation Technician is the technical level classification responsible for providing non-peace officer support to Probation Department professional staff involved in adult or youth offender supervision and investigation functions. Incumbents in this classification may also be assigned to various specialized probation programs throughout the department.

Probation Technician is distinguished from Probation Officer and Probation Corrections Officer in that the latter classifications are Peace Officers.

Unless otherwise provided, this position is part of the Classified Service of the County and is assigned to the Technical Services bargaining unit for labor relations purposes.

Individuals who are in a full-time classification position are required to serve a twelve-month probationary period, which may be extended an additional six months, for a total of eighteen months.

Incumbents may also be subject to overtime, standby, callback, weekend, holiday and shift assignments as identified in their MOU (Memorandum of Understanding).

The Job Task Analysis provides information detailing the physical and functional demands of the classification. For the complete job task analysis, visit the Risk Management website at http://www.stancounty.com/riskmgmt/ under the "Disability" tab.

Typical Tasks

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

• Interviews adult and youth offenders in order to obtain factual information required for the preparation and administration of evidence-based risk/needs assessments, court reports, case planning and/or to determine eligibility for participation in specialized probation programs;
• Monitors probationers on a bank or mail-in caseload and alerts Probation Officers to anomalies;
• Monitor control room in juvenile detention setting; monitors cameras; opens and closes doors and sally ports; calls for backup when indicated;
• May conduct intake on juveniles prior to booking or release;
• Initiates and maintains contact with offenders and monitors offender performance while on probation or in custody; verify youth attendance at school; verify compliance with counseling orders, curfew, and payment of fines, restitution and other court ordered costs;
• Interprets and explains court orders, applicable laws, rules and regulations, and procedures governing the criminal justice system; determines restitution; advises and assists offenders in obtaining appropriate services, and refers to psychological, health, medical, and social services care providers;
• Administers drug and alcohol tests to offenders according to established procedures and guidelines; performs deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) collection; and completes fingerprinting;
• Performs deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) collection and completes fingerprinting;
• Utilizes multiple local, state and federal confidential databases to access offender information;
• Prepares reports, legal documents, memoranda and correspondence; compiles, maintains, and prepares contract and statistical data records;
• Compiles, maintains, and prepares contract and statistical data records;
• Orients offenders for home confinement or electronic monitoring program; installs Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment and monitors offenders; inputs data and tracks for compliance;
• Attends specialized training as directed;
• May act as a liaison between the department and law enforcement, courts, and community agencies;
• May translate as required to serve departmental needs. Translating may be in oral or written form;
• May transport individuals who are not in-custody;
• May provide training to lower-level staff;
• May assist in posting information to social media sites for purposes of educating the public and enhancing recruiting efforts;
• May audit evidence-based risk/needs assessments to ensure fidelity and accuracy;
• May deliver evidence-based programming to offenders in detention settings; and
• May be assigned special projects as directed.

Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education/Experience)

KNOWLEDGE

• Federal, state and local criminal justice laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures governing probation work;
• Federal, state and local judicial procedures;
• Departmental practices, rules, regulations, policies and procedures;
• Criminal justice and legal terminology;
• Fundamental aspects of human behavior;
• Interviewing techniques;
• Public and private community resources, care providers and agencies;
• Interviewing and information gathering methods and techniques;
• Report writing principles including rules of correct grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure;
• Principles and practices of record keeping;
• Standard office applications, including computer software usage and automated office equipment;
• Organizational and time management methods.

SKILLS/ABILITIES

• Understand, interpret and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures governing probation work;
• Maintain a working understanding of federal, state and local judicial proceedings;
• Work and communicate effectively both orally and in writing with people of various education, socio-economic and cultural backgrounds by respecting beliefs, interpersonal styles and behaviors of both clients and coworkers;
• Interview persons to obtain a variety of information and data;
• Provide guidance and training to lower-level staff;
• Operate modern office equipment including computer hardware, software, and internet and web-based applications;
• Handle sensitive situations and difficult offenders discreetly and effectively;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships at all organizational levels, as well as with other agencies and the public;
• Demonstrate and maintain a high degree of initiative, maturity, integrity, and good judgment.

We recognize your time is valuable, please only apply if you meet the following required qualifications.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

PATTERN I

• 40 semester units from an accredited college or university with a minimum of 15 semester units in criminology, criminal justice, sociology, psychology, child development, or closely related field

PATTERN II

• One (1) year of experience working with at-promise youth or adult offenders or one (1) year at a level equivalent to Legal Clerk in Stanislaus County. Click here to view specifications for Legal Clerk I.

License or Certificate:

• Possession of a valid Class "C" driver's license, or equivalent.

Application and Selection Procedures

APPLICATION PROCEDURES/FINAL FILING DATE

Applications cannot be submitted later than 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date. Make your online application as complete as possible so a full and realistic appraisal may be made of your qualifications.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application form.

Attaching your resume and cover letter are an optional feature for those who wish to do so in addition to completing the required application. Information on your resume and cover letter will not substitute for the education, work experience and required fields on the County application. The online County application is the primary tool used to evaluate your job qualifications.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

Most County recruitments consist of the steps detailed below and are governed by Merit Principles. The examination process ensures that all applicants are given the same opportunity to gain employment within Stanislaus County.

• Application Review and Screening. Applications are carefully screened based on information provided. Those who submit incomplete applications that lack relevant qualifications or do not submit all required documents will not be invited to move on.
  
• Written Examination. Applicants will be invited to participate in a written exam that tests knowledge for the position.
  
• Oral Examination. Applicants are invited to a panel interview in which they will be evaluated by County subject matter experts.
  
• Eligible Lists. Candidates who pass the examination will be placed on an eligible list for that classification. Eligible lists are effective for six months but may be extended up to eighteen months.
  

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE

Application Deadline: 75 applications or April 16 , 2025

Oral Examination: Tentative for the week of April 28, 2025

Note: The eligible list generated from this recruitment may be used to fill future extra-help, part-time and full-time vacancies throughout Stanislaus County.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Final appointment will be conditional upon successfully passing a County paid pre-employment drug screening (if applicable for position) and a job-related background investigation.

Some positions may require possession or the ability to obtain, and maintenance of a valid California Driver’s license or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job related essential functions.

Stanislaus County supports the good health of its workforce. More information is available at http://myclubwellness.org .

Cell phones are typically incompatible with the online application format or browser. We recommend using a desktop or laptop computer. If you are still having technical difficulties, please call NEOGOV at 1-855-524-5627.

Benefits associated with this position can be found at Benefits Summary .

Closing Date/Time: 4/16/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

Salary:

$47,944.00 - $58,260.80 Annually