Job Description

Probation Officer

The Probation Department is looking for highly motivated individuals who can assist and advise youth on ways to redirect behavior into pro-social channels, while assisting youth in managing their behavior through coaching, counseling, and acknowledging pro-social behavior. The Los Angeles County Probation Department is leading the way in rebuilding lives and making our communities healthier and safer.

This position is for current probation officers that are outside of Los Angeles County. A lateral candidate is an individual who is currently working in a California probation department equivalent to Deputy Probation Officer I. Hiring bonus: $24K over a 2-year period to lateral (external to Los Angeles County Probation Department) peace officer candidates who qualify for the position of Deputy Probation Officer I will receive payments phased-in every 6 months.

Probation Officer positions hold the status of sworn, Peace Officers in the Probation Department. Performs probation work under close supervision, assisting in and learning to perform the work of professional level probation officers involved in the care and treatment of detained youth placed in either a Probation Department residential treatment facility or a detention services facility. Officers must be able to physically restrain combative youth.

Residential Treatment Positions assigned to a residential treatment facility are responsible for performing the less difficult and less complex tasks associated with caseload management, dorm and facility security, supervision of work and fire suppression crews, and public relations and community liaison services. Positions are also responsible for assisting in the re-socialization of probation youth.

Detention Services Positions assigned to a juvenile hall are responsible for performing the less difficult and less complex tasks associated with assessing life skills, risks, and needs of probation youth, and translating those factors into treatment objectives using evidence-based best practices. Positions counsel clients on conditions of probation and the need for compliance progress toward rehabilitation, develop individual case plans, determine appropriate treatment programs and services, recommend follow-up action as appropriate, and perform caseload management, and dorm and facility security activities.

Essential Job Functions:

• Provides for the care, safety and control of probation youth in a camp or a juvenile hall, maintains group and individual behavioral standards, and performs case management and life-skills assessment activities.
• Observes and records the behavior and actions of individual probation youth and comforts or disciplines as necessary.
• Conducts the living group process, including the proper supervision of probation youth eating, showering, using restroom facilities, visiting, and performing school and recreation activities.
• Develops and implements supervision programs for probation youth with the assistance of a Deputy Probation Officer II.
• Conducts recreational activities, provides individual and group crisis intervention, and ensures that the probation youth health needs are met and hygiene and personal appearances are adequate.
• Provides casework services to probation youth in a camp or juvenile hall, prepares petitions and court reports, evaluates and maintains records on the progress of assigned cases, maintains case records and logbooks.

Requirements:

To be considered a lateral applicant you must have a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited four-year college or university AND currently hold a position equivalent of Deputy Probation Officer I, RT/DS in California for at least one year AND must have completed Juvenile Corrections Officer CORE training and PC 832. Candidates must meet the qualifications for designation as a Peace Officer within the Probation Department, including, but not limited to: No Felony Convictions, Citizenship - Must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law. Applicants will be required to submit their documents during the background process. At least 21 years of age at the time of appointment. A valid California Class C Driver License at time of appointment. Appointees must obtain a California Commercial Class B Driver License with Passenger Endorsement within 90 days from the date of appointment. Physical Class 4- Arduous: This class involves frequent heavy lifting over 25 pounds, often combined with bending, twisting, or working above ground on irregular surfaces. It includes those positions that occasionally demand extraordinary physical activity such as those in Safety positions.

Special Requirement Information: In order to qualify and receive credit for any college course work, or any type of college degree, such as a Bachelor's degree or higher, you must indicate on the job application and attach a legible copy of the official diploma or official transcripts, or official letter from the accredited institution which shows the area of specialization and degree awarded with Registrar's signature and/or school seal with your application at the time of filing in NEOGOV or within 7 calendar days of filing or your application may be rejected. We do not accept password-protected documents. Ensure documents are unlocked before attaching to your application or sending to the exam analyst.

Supplemental Questionnaire: The first section of the questionnaire contains pre-investigative questions that will be utilized as part of the background investigation process to ensure applicants meet the selection requirements and standards set forth by the Los Angeles County Probation Department. The second section of the questionnaire contains questions about your willingness to perform critical responsibilities of the job. Applicants who fail the supplemental questionnaire will be disqualified and have to wait six (6) months from the date of the disqualification to reapply.

Structured Interview: As part of the hiring interview process, candidates placed on eligible register will be required to participate in the structured interview in compliance with the California Code of Regulations, Board of State and Community Corrections Minimum Selection Standards (§ 131). Every peace officer applicant will be interviewed prior to employment to determine the applicant's suitability for law enforcement service. Applicants who fail the structured interview will be disqualified and will have to wait three (3) months from the date of disqualification to reapply.

Work Conditions: California Penal Code 830.5 states that Probation Officers are peace officers whose authority extends to any place in the state while engaged in the performance of the duties of their respective employment and for the purpose of carrying out the primary function of their employment or as required under Sections 8597, 8598, and 8617 of the Government Code. The authority and expectations of probation officers extends to:

1. To conditions of parole, probation, mandatory supervision, or post release community supervision by any person in this state on parole, probation, mandatory supervision, or post release community supervision.
2. To the escape of any inmate or ward from a state or local institution.
3. To the transportation of persons on parole, probation, mandatory supervision, or post release community supervision.
4. To violations of any penal provisions of law which are discovered while performing the usual or authorized duties of the officer's employment.
5. (A) To the rendering of mutual aid to any other law enforcement agency.

As Peace officers, under the authority cited above, sworn Probation staff may need to address an escape, maintain supervision needs or quell illegal activity. Such duties may involve physical use of force, including restraining youth and/or adults. Therefore, any Probation Peace Officer position duties must include the ability to perform physical restraints on any person under probation, mandatory supervision, or post release community supervision (i.e., Field or Institutions).

Background Investigation: A thorough background investigation will be conducted, which may include, but is not limited to, the following:

1. Live Scan and Criminal Records Check
2. Polygraph Examination or Computer Voice Stress Analyzer Test.
3. Psychological Examination
4. Medical and Drug Screening Examination
5. Credit Check
6. Physical Agility Examination

Candidates who are found unsuitable for employment will be removed from the eligible list pursuant to Civil Service Rule 6.04, including but not limited to the following:

• Who is addicted to the use of intoxicating liquors or narcotics or habit-forming drugs;
• Who is guilty of conduct not compatible with County employment, whether or not it amounts to a crime;
• Who has been dismissed or has resigned in lieu of discharge from any position, public or private, for any cause which would be a cause for dismissal from County service; or whose record of employment has not been satisfactory in the County service, or with any other agency or firm;
• Who has abandoned any position in County service or been absent from duty without leave of absence duly granted;
• Who has a made material false statement or who has attempted any deception or fraud in connection with this or any other civil service examinations;
• Who refuses to execute the oath as prescribed by law;
• Who refuses to be fingerprinted;
• Who refuses to take or fails to pass the prescribed medical examination

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