Juvenile Institutional Officer Series

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Alameda County Probation Department is to protect the public safety by providing supervision, services, support and opportunities to our clients on behalf of the people of Alameda County through quality supervision, leadership, services and effective partnerships.

THE DEPARTMENT

The Alameda County Probation Department is an essential element of the County’s system of public protection and human services. The Department’s role is to reduce the impact of crime in the community by providing accurate, comprehensive and timely information and recommendations to the Courts, providing community-based sanctions and treatment for offenders, and working cooperatively with law enforcement agencies and community organizations with similar objectives. The Department provides a wide range of mandated and discretionary investigative, advisory, and supervisory services to adult and juvenile probationers pursuant to State law and the County Charter.

For more detailed information about the department, visit: Alameda County Probation Department.

THE POSITION

Under general supervision, act as group leader in directing the activities of youths detained in Juvenile Institutions; to supervise and counsel a group youth placed in Probation facilities; may provide lead direction to entry level Juvenile Institution Officer Associates; and perform related duties as required.

The class of Juvenile Institutional Officer is a sworn, journey level in the Juvenile Institutional Officer series. Positions in this class may be located in all Probation areas including, but not limited to, Juvenile Hall, Camp Sweeney, the Court Staging Area, the Weekend Training Academy, Global Positioning Satellite (GPS), Home Supervision, the therapeutic response unit, intake, central control, and medical escort. Juvenile Institutional Officers are assigned a group of youths in one of the Probation Departments' facilities, and are responsible for all aspects of care, custody and control, and short-term counseling to youths. They may also be assigned to intensive individual and group counseling in the Probation facilities. For example, at Camp, the Juvenile Institutional Officer coordinates recreational and work programs, participates in educational and counseling programs and is regularly assigned group work with a focus on changing anti-social behavior and developing self-responsibility. The Juvenile Institutional Officer may be utilized as a lead counselor as needed.

For more detailed information about the job classification, visit: Juvenile Institutional Officer (#6216).

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EITHER I

Experience:

The equivalent of one year of full-time experience in the classification of Juvenile Institutional Officer Associate or in an equivalent or higher level probation classification in the Alameda County classified service.

OR II

Experience:

The equivalent of one year of full-time experience in the classification of Juvenile Institutional Officer Intermittent in the Alameda County classified service.

OR III

Experience:

The equivalent of two years’ full-time experience in correctional casework or in recreational/correctional group work.

License: Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's license. May be required to obtain a Class "B" driver's license. A good driving record according to DMV negligent operator guidelines and qualifications for automotive insurance.

Special Requirements:

• Applicants must be at least 21 years of age at the time of appointment.
• Persons appointed to positions in this class in the Probation Department must meet the minimum standards for a Peace Officer (Sec. 1031 Government Code).
• Applicants are not required to be a US citizen, but must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law (Per SB 960).
• Any felony conviction is disqualifying.
• Graduation from high school, a satisfactory score on a G.E.D. test or passing a California High School proficiency examination.
• Fingerprinted for purposes of search of local, state and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal records.
• Found free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition which might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a Peace Officer, as determined by a licensed examining authority in accordance with the California Government Code.
• Within the prescribed time limit after date of appointment, satisfactory completion of training for Juvenile Institutional Officers as specified by the California Board of State and Community Corrections, Peace Officer Standards and Training PC 832, PC 6035 and PC 6036 as required and any other training required under law.
• Must be available to work all shifts and locations.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

The most suitably qualified candidates will possess the following competencies:

Knowledge of:

• Principles of general psychology and child development, including behavior patterns of youth and the causes of youth delinquency.
• Principles of group and individual counseling work as applied to youth.
• Standard health and first aid practices.
• Recreational and leisure time activities.
• Procedures involved in the care, safety, and custody of youth.
• Basic laws and codes governing local welfare, penal, and institutional practices and procedures.
• Local welfare, correctional, and recreational facilities.

Skill in:

• Physically restraining youths.
• Administering first aid.
• Applying restraint devices such as handcuffs, etc.
• The appropriate use and deployment of pepper spray.

Ability to:

• Plan, supervise and direct the activities of a group of youth.
• Maintain firm discipline in a fair and tactful manner.
• Aid in the rehabilitation of youth.
• Secure and maintain the cooperation of coworkers and subordinates.
• Supervise housekeeping and recreational activities appropriate to a detention setting.
• Write accurate and meaningful observation and other types of reports.
• Maintain group control in stressful situations.
• Diffuse crisis situations in a calm and positive manner.
• Work effectively with a variety of youths and adults from various ethnic cultures, social and economic backgrounds.
• Communicate effectively with individuals or groups both orally and in writing.
• Read and interpret departmental policy and procedures.
• Make constructive and appropriate decisions.
• Exercise sound judgment.
• All staff are expected to be fully alert while on duty.