Probation Aide
About the Role
The Probation Department has multiple vacancies and is looking to hire full-time Probation Aides at various locations, which may include Juvenile Hall, Youth Center, and the Adult and Juvenile Divisions. Probation Aides are paraprofessionals responsible for providing technical support services to Deputy Probation Officer staff with juvenile or adult probation cases. Under close supervision, Probation Aides learn to apply the principles and techniques of probation work; complete form letters and other routine correspondence; communicate and work with collaborative agencies; and read court documents and follow court orders. The eligible list generated from this examination may be used to fill current and future vacancies department-wide on a full-time, part-time, or temporary basis.
Examples of Duties
- Prepares reports and maintains records and statistics; completes forms, types form letters and other routine correspondence; inputs and accesses data using a computer.
- Relieves probation officers of drug testing responsibilities; obtains and verifies urine samples; orders and maintains drug testing supplies and assists in recordkeeping of test results; follows specific procedures to preserve the chain of evidence.
- Assists probation officers in obtaining or locating various required reports such as police reports, school reports, and psychiatric reports.
- May transport probationers; may pick up and deliver documents, reports, receipts, or other probation-related materials.
- Conducts program orientations for probationers assigned to the Home Confinement Program; provides program-related information and explains related rules and regulations to probationers; schedules orientation sessions; compiles required forms, assists probationers with completion of forms, and reviews forms for completeness and accuracy.
- Runs computer criminal investigation reports and Department of Motor Vehicle records checks on probationers.
- Monitors juvenile probationers' school attendance; checks school attendance rosters; informs probationers' parents of school attendance problems and encourages parents to monitor school attendance; refers cases requiring further action to a probation officer.
- Assists probation officers with basic casework functions, such as reviewing and filing mail in probation reports; verifies case information submitted by probationers.
- Installs home monitoring equipment on probationers' wrists or ankles; explains to probationers how to connect the equipment to the telephone; receives, inspects, and cleans returned equipment.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Working knowledge of standard office procedures, including filing, operating a computer, and record keeping.
Skill and ability to:
- Read, understand, interpret, and explain rules and regulations related to probation services.
- Make oral presentations before groups of probationers.
- Keep accurate and complete records and files.
- Input and access data using a computer.
- Learn to install home confinement monitoring equipment on probationers' persons.
- Apply judgment, assume responsibility, and use discretion in determining when to ask for assistance or refer questions to a higher level of authority.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships; establish rapport with persons of differing ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.
- Effectively cope with hostility and aggressive behavior in stressful circumstances.
- Learn to operate drug testing equipment.
Experience/Education/Training
Any combination of training, education, and/or experience which provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities and required conditions of employment is qualifying. An example of a way these requirements might be acquired is: one year of clerical or public service experience in a position which provided exposure to and experience with court terminology, clerical processes, and public contact.
Conditions of Employment
- Successfully complete a background check to include fingerprinting.
- Possess a valid California Class C driver's license issued by the State Department of Motor Vehicles at time of hire and maintain a satisfactory driving record.
- Be available to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and during times of disaster and/or emergency.
As a condition of employment, prospective employees will be required to submit a background review which may include a review of information concerning present and/or prior employment, driving record, and record of criminal conviction. Employees must have and show their Social Security Card on the first day of work. Employment is contingent upon acceptable documentation verifying identity and authorization for employment in the U.S.; a list of acceptable documents is available on the USCIS Form I-9. If hired into this classification in a temporary position, the rate of pay will be hourly and the employee will not be eligible for the benefits listed in the summary.
Benefits
Monterey County offers an excellent benefits package. To view the J Unit Benefit Summary, please visit the County website. This information is not legally binding, nor does it serve as a contract. The benefits listed in the Monterey County Personnel Policies and Practices Resolution or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) prevail over this listing.
Selection Process
The selection process is tentative, and applicants will be notified if changes are made. To assess applicants' possession of required qualifications, the examination process may include an oral examination, pre-examination exercises, performance examination, and/or written examination. The competitive examination process includes submittal of required application materials. A complete application package will include a completed County of Monterey employment application and responses to the supplemental questions. Applicants who fail to provide all required materials by the application filing deadline will not be considered. Resumes, cover letters, letters of interest, and other correspondence will not be accepted as a substitute for required application materials. All required application materials will be competitively evaluated. Those applicants determined to be the most appropriately qualified will be invited to participate further in the selection process.
Supplemental Questions
Completion of the supplemental questions is required and is an integral part of the evaluation process. Responses will be reviewed and scored in a Qualifications Appraisal evaluation process based on pre-determined rating criteria. Answers should be as complete as possible, as this information will be critical in the competitive assessment to identify those candidates to be invited to continue in the examination process. A response of "see resume" or "see application" will deem responses to the supplemental questions as incomplete. All application materials submitted will be reviewed along with the supplemental questions and County of Monterey application.
- Some positions may require a Driver's License. Do you possess a current and valid California Driver's License and a satisfactory driving record? Yes/No
- Please describe in detail your education, training, and/or experience that demonstrates your knowledge, skill, and ability in creating, maintaining, and managing accurate records, reports, and correspondence using a database or case management system. In your response, include specific examples of the types of records or reports you have handled, the systems or software you have used, and how you ensured accuracy and confidentiality.
- Please describe in detail your education, training, and/or experience that demonstrates your knowledge, skill, and ability to work with at-risk populations that includes youth and/or adults. In your response, include specific examples that highlight your role, the types of challenges faced by the individuals you worked with, and the strategies you used to supervise, support, engage, or guide them. Please provide as much detail as possible.