Deputy Probation Officer

About the role

Under general supervision, the Deputy Probation Officer performs professional work in the investigation of adult offenders or juvenile court referrals; supervises probationers; participates in the institutional care, custody, treatment, and counseling.

Examples of knowledge and abilities

• Principles and practices of probation work
• Principles of social and correctional case and group work
• Laws relating to criminal justice
• Causes of crime and delinquency
• Counseling techniques
• Interviewing
• Community resources available to probationers
• Principles of investigation and laws governing search and seizure and preservation of evidence
• Codes, standards and regulations governing care and treatment of juveniles in juvenile halls, camps, ranches or schools
• Crisis intervention
• Self-defense
• Arrest procedures
• Appropriate use of force and security techniques
• Rights and liabilities of peace officers

Ability to

• Analyze behavior patterns
• Exercise sound judgment in assessment and treatment of probationers
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
• Read, write, and speak English at a level necessary for satisfactory job performance
• Cope with hostility and aggressive behavior
• Prepare concise and clear reports
• Maintain records
• Communicate with individuals from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds

Requirements

Minimum qualifications

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university, preferably with a degree in social or behavioral sciences, and either:

• One year of full-time paid professional experience in correctional work subsequent to the degree in a County, State or Federal probation, parole or law enforcement agency, or
• One year of social casework experience subsequent to the degree in a County, State, or Federal agency, or
• One year as an Assistant Probation Officer (formerly Probation Assistant) with Sacramento County, or
• The equivalent of one (1) year as a Probation Aide (On-Call) with Sacramento County.

Part-time paid experience may be accumulated and pro-rated to meet the total experience requirements. To compute full-time equivalency of On-Call experience: 173.6 hours = 21.7 days = 1 work month.

Special requirements

• Be a citizen of the United States or a permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship
• Be at least 18 years of age
• Be fingerprinted for purposes of search of local, state, and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record; furnish a classifiable set of the fingerprints to the Department of Justice and to the Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Be found to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition which might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer
• Pass a criminal history and background check; conviction of a felony is grounds for disqualification
• Complete required P.O.S.T. training for Probation Officers as specified in Section 832 of the Penal Code within one (1) year after appointment
• Possess a valid California Driver License, Class C or higher, at the time of appointment

Physical requirements

Incumbents will frequently perform a wide variety of physical tasks such as standing, walking, running, stooping, bending, climbing stairs and lifting probationers which requires strength, coordination, endurance, and agility. Incumbents may be subject to physical and verbal abuse while restraining or arresting individuals.

Schedule

Incumbents in this class must be willing to work irregular hours, holidays, and weekends.