Juvenile Institutional Officer Alameda COUNTY

THIS IS A NEW CONTINUOUS EXAMINATION.  The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year, but can be extended.  This examination may be reopened as necessary and the names of additional candidates merged onto the existing list according to examination score.

Supplemental Questionnaire: A properly completed Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted with each application. 

Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing. Failure to submit the Application or Supplemental Questionnaire will result in disqualification.

Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires will only be accepted on-line.

This is a continuous filing exam with filing deadlines on the following dates at 5:00:00 PM:

• January 31, 2024
• March 29, 2024
• May 31, 2024
• July 31, 2024
• September 30, 2024
• December 2, 2024
• January 31, 2025
• March 31, 2025
• May 31, 2025
• July 31, 2025
• September 30, 2025
• November 30, 2025

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). 

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).

• 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.

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

• 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.

1. A review of applicants' applications and supplemental questionnaires to verify possession of the minimum qualifications. Those candidates who possess the minimum requirements for the class will move on to the next step in the examination process.
2. A review of the supplemental questionnaire for preliminary background screening.
3. A review of the supplemental questionnaire to determine the best qualified. Those candidates considered the best qualified will move on to the next step in the examination process.
4. An oral examination which will be weighted as 100% of the candidate's final examination score.
5. Candidates passing the oral examination will move on to the next steps of the Probation Department's selection process.
6. All candidates must successfully complete the following (after passing oral examination):

After a conditional offer of employment has been accepted, appointee must successfully complete the following:

Applicants will be informed via email with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance. The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the Agency.

Martin