Deputy Probation Officer Senior - Field

Job Description:

Deputy Probation Officer Senior - Field

Description

POSITION INFORMATION

This is a promotional recruitment - only permanent and/or probationary County employees are eligible to apply.

BENEFITS

Placer County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees. The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change. Applicants should inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

For more information regarding the benefits Placer County has to offer, please visit Placer County's Human Resources website.

DEFINITION

To perform the more difficult or unusual youth or adult probation casework; to be a specialist in a particularly difficult area of probation work or act as a lead over a unit or small program; and to provide staff assistance to assigned Supervising Deputy Probation Officer or Probation Manager.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the advanced journey and lead level class in the Deputy Probation Officer - Field series for the court and supervision units. This is the highest non-supervisory class in the Probation Officer series. Positions at this level are distinguished from other classes within the series by the level of responsibility assumed, complexity of duties, and by the nature of the public contact made. Employees perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties assigned to classes within this series, including acting as a specialist or as a lead over a unit or small program. Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned area of responsibility. This class is distinguished from the Deputy Probation Officer II - Field in that this is the lead or specialist level. It is further distinguished from the Supervising Deputy Probation Officer in that the latter has full supervisory responsibility for a unit, while the former has lead responsibility or serves as a technical specialist.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives direction from a Supervising Deputy Probation Officer or Probation Manager.

May exercise technical and functional supervision over clerical, technical and lower-level professional staff.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

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

• Train and orient field staff; plan and present in-service and on-the-job training; monitor staff performance; provide direction and explain department policies and procedures.
• In difficult and unusual cases, interview adults or youth, their families, and interested individuals; read police reports and other psychological and medical evaluations; interview victims; determine the type and extent of their needs and problems; make recommendations about advisability of probation; when probation is indicated, formulate plans of probation and make recommendations to the court on plans for the adjustment and rehabilitation of the offender; perform field supervision services; and enforce court orders.
• Conduct investigations in difficult and complex youth matters referred to the Probation Department; analyze information and act in accordance with State law and Departmental policy; draw affidavits for referral to the District Attorney.
• Represent the Probation Department in the various pre-adjudicatory hearings; prepare court reports making recommendations for dispositions; make reports to the courts on probationers’ progress, recommending modification, dismissal, or revocation where necessary.
• Investigate adult referrals from the courts; conduct pre-sentence investigations and prepare written reports and recommendations for the courts; appear in court to represent the Probation Department at various hearings.
• Write adult and youth diversion and pre-sentence investigation reports for the courts; appear in court for sentencing on Superior Court cases.
• Provide lead supervision over a unit or small program; coordinate workflow and assist in setting priorities; provide training to lower-level professional staff; act as a liaison with the local community, outside agencies, and other County departments.
• Plan, organize, and supervise a caseload; review court reports to ensure compliance with laws and Departmental guidelines; review staff requests to make arrests, transport prisoners, conduct searches, and other related activities; supervise or personally assist in the transportation of wards in and out of the State.
• Supervise and monitor probationers on the electronic monitoring program; when necessary, search residences and vehicles; work with contractor to install electronic monitoring equipment; set up monitoring schedule with probationers.
• Act as the Probation Department’s liaison with, and may provide consulting services for, organizations, groups, and individuals concerned with providing rehabilitative services for youth or adult offenders.
• Conduct youth traffic hearings for minors and impose appropriate penalties for violations; conduct probationary citation hearings and supervise the Adult Work Release Program.
• Conduct risk assessment on probationers and recommend level of supervision; screen probationers for appropriate program and services referrals; supervise adults and youth in the field, in the office, and through review of reports; monitor the activities and treatment programs of youth and adult probationers; identify and monitor behavioral changes and use motivational interviewing strategies to support client success; enforce court orders and conditions of probation; conduct drug and alcohol testing; perform home, vehicle, and electronic searches; file violations of probation when probation conditions are not met, implement conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques, and execute arrests.
• Assist in researching and developing new probation casework techniques and principles; may perform as a consultant or specialist in particularly difficult areas of probation work.
• Provide ongoing counseling and case management to assigned caseload; maintain an intensive caseload with high-risk youth and engage in a therapeutic relationship with the client.
• Develop, operate, and monitor special programs and projects undertaken by the Department.
• Review court reports to ensure compliance with laws and Departmental guidelines.
• Establish contacts and work in close association with community agencies in developing and coordinating treatment programs for youth and adult probationers.
• Present youth crime prevention programs to schools and community groups.
• Serve as home supervision officer or diversion officer, working closely with allied agencies.
• May be assigned as assistant to a Supervising Deputy Probation Officer, filling in during absence.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience and Training:
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Two (2) years of experience in a class comparable to Deputy Probation Officer II - Field in Placer County.

Training: Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in the behavioral sciences, administration of justice, criminal justice, corrections, or a closely related field.

Required License or Certificate:

• May need to possess a valid driver’s license as required by the position. Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.
• Must successfully complete Section 832 Penal Code Training (Search and Seizure) within ninety (90) days from date of hire.
• Possession of the Board of State and Community Corrections Basic Probation Officer certificate.
• Must successfully complete additional required certified instruction annually.
• Must maintain a valid First Aid and CPR certificate

Special Requirements:

• Employees in this classification 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.
  
• Must be at least 21 years of age upon appointment.
  
• Must meet minimum standards required for Peace Officers as set forth in Section 1029 and 1031 of the Government Code.
  
• Must meet the Board of State and Community Corrections standards in Title 15, Sections 1320-1322.
  
• Must pass a background investigation.
  
• Must meet physical standards established for County Safety employees, including a psychological examination.
  
• Must qualify for use of a firearm.
  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, and techniques of modern probation casework and counseling.
• Principles and theory of criminal justice and rehabilitation as applied to criminal offenders, including youth.
• Principles and theories of human behavior.
• Problems involved in handling youth and adult probationers under restraint.
• Principles of de-escalation and conflict resolution.
• State and local laws and ordinances, and Departmental policies and procedures affecting probation work.
• Operation, process, and terminology of the Courts.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment.
• Computer software, applications, and systems, including word processing and spreadsheet applications.
• Principles and practices of leadership, motivation, team building, and conflict resolution.
• Principles and practices of supervision and training.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; analyze individual behavior and situations to determine proper course of action; remember accounts given by witnesses; observe individuals, behaviors, situations, and activities and remember past behavior; identify situations of potential altercation; interpret and understand human behavior; read, identify, recall, analyze, interpret, understand, apply, and explain technical and numerical information, work papers, reports, procedures and policies, and applicable rules, laws, codes, and regulations; maintain awareness of safety at all times; work under time pressure and complete a high volume of tasks with frequent interruptions; focus on a single task for long periods of time; manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously and quickly switch between tasks; manage a high volume of cases.
• On a continuous basis, stand, walk, or sit at desk while in meetings, while in a vehicle, or in the field; bend, twist, squat, stoop, crouch, kneel, reach, push, and pull while in the field and when working with youth or adults, and to reach office equipment; climb while in pursuit or to observe youth in the institution; bend and squat to book juveniles into the facility or perform searches; kneel to make arrests or file papers; manage physical confrontations when individuals resist arrest; perform simple and power grasping, and fine hand manipulation; speak, use a telephone, write, and use a keyboard to communicate and/or enter retrieve data from a computer; see, hear, and smell with sufficient acuity to perform essential job functions; wear utility belt, vest, and/or other law enforcement equipment weighing approximately 25 pounds; and lift very heavy weight.
• Work as part of a team and in close proximity to probationers.
• Work assigned shift, including weekends, holidays, and odd or irregular hours; work unusual work schedules, including rotating shifts and overtime.
• Exercise skilled judgment in the assessment and treatment of probationers and families; effectively manage a large, complex, and diverse caseload.
• Work effectively in stressful situations; resolve conflicts in an effective manner; obtain information through interview and interrogation.
• Drive County-issued vehicles to perform field contacts.
• Perform crisis intervention; give individual counseling and understand counseling techniques and methods.
• Perform arrest, search, and seizure activities safely and within the confines of the law.
• Understand court processes; synthesize complex information into a formal recommendation to the court; write clear and concise court reports to inform the court of probationer progress.
• Coordinate efforts with other County departments and local law enforcement agencies as appropriate.
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Exercise good judgment and make sound decisions under a variety of conditions.
• Analyze and respond to court orders; determine eligibility of individuals to special programs offered by the Department.
• Be sensitive to various cultural and ethnic groups present in the community.
• Maintain good physical, emotional, and mental condition to satisfactorily perform the functions of the position.
• Use and care for small firearms and other law enforcement equipment and tools as assigned.
• Lift and carry a person in the event of an emergency.
• Act quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Prepare and deliver verbal presentations to the court.
• Prepare clear and accurate detailed reports and other written materials.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training, and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula. Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

SUBSTITUTE LISTS

The eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification. For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey level) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that unlawful harassment, discrimination, and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer, and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of the following characteristics: gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race (including traits associated with race, which include, but are not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, ancestry, religion (including creed and belief), national origin, citizenship, primary language, immigration status, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including parental status, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, the person’s use of cannabis off the job and away from the workplace, political orientation, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law or any combination of two or more characteristics stated herein. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

Conclusion

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Lindsay Baer, Administrative Technician, at lbaer@placer.ca.gov or (530) 886-4667.

Closing Date/Time: 10/16/2025 5:00:00 PM

Salary:

$46.45 - $58.00/hour; $8,051.33 - $10,053.33/month; $96,616.00 - $120,640.00/year