8530-Deputy Probation Officer (SFERS)

Job description

CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO

DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES

Title: Deputy Probation Officer (SFERS)

Job Code: 8530

INTRODUCTION

This specification defines and describes the full range of tasks included within the levels of the deep

class of Deputy Probation Officer. Assignments within this class vary in degree of complexity,

responsibility and amount of supervision received.

Under supervision, conducts general and pre-sentence investigations; investigates and supervises

adult or juvenile defendants or court wards; prepares various reports for the courts; prepares

recommendations and assists the courts in detention decisions and recommendations for

sentencing decisions; supervises and counsels probationers to assist in complying with the court

orders, educational and vocational services and family counseling; performs intensive casework

management; assists in the training of new and reassigned officers; performs a variety of

specialized assignments; and performs related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This class is unique in that it encompasses a wide range of levels from beginning through the fully

experienced journey level. Positions in the class exist in both Adult and Juvenile Probation

departments and perform assignments that require a high degree of ability and initiative as

experience is gained. It is distinguished from the Supervising Probation Officer, Juvenile Court and

Supervising Adult Probation Officer which are first line supervisory classes.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

This position may coordinate the work of clerical/technical personnel and may be required to

supervise other less experienced Deputy Probation Officers in the absence of the Supervising

Probation Officer.

MAJOR, IMPORTANT, AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109, the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties

assigned to this job code/class and are not intended to be an inclusive list.

1. Interviews, investigates and supervises juvenile and adult offenders including cases which

may entail severe personality and emotional disorders, dangerously aggressive behavior,

aggravated offenses; interviews offenders, law enforcement officers, government agencies,

employers, victims, family, relatives, acquaintances, and others in order to evaluate the

nature of the violation, extent of responsibility, attitude, plans and other related information;

interacts with workers from other agencies in cases of mutual interest; investigates personal

background, family history, education, employment and financial status; visits homes,

schools, employers, churches, neighborhoods, recreational areas and other places to obtain

pertinent social and economic background information; prepares and submits case findings

requiring reports with recommendations for unit supervisor's approval; may represent

department in court; records disposition and conditions of probation, interviews probationers

about installment payments of court imposed fines, restitution and child support.

2. Appears in court as needed and represents the department in matters involving probation

decisions and questions raised by the court, district attorney or the defendant's attorney;

submits supplemental information as required; calendars and presents motions to extend,

revoke, modify and terminate probation.

3. Assists in the training of new or reassigned officers and may act as backup supervisor.

4. May represent the department at community group meetings concerned with the operations

of policies of the probation department; may prepare special reports and deliver lectures on

the causes and extent of anti-social behavior and the methods employed in evaluating and

rehabilitating offenders.

5. Discusses the nature and conditions of probation with probationers and respondents;

counsels and advises probationers and refers them to agencies and organizations dealing

with specialized social, emotional or legal problems; evaluates probationers' progress in

compliance with court orders and prepares periodic reports and recommendations;

discusses revocation action, case progress and case termination with supervisor, answers

questions from courts, other departments and community organizations regarding the status

and progress of probationers.

6. Serves as liaison between the probation department and the courts, Department of Human

Services, Sheriff s Department, California State Department of Corrections and other

agencies; confers with other staff members on casework techniques and special problems;

maintains contacts with various employment related agencies; interviews applicants for

programs and determines eligibility; supervises probationers during their enrollment in

programs; and prepares and maintains reports and records.

7. Investigates complaints of habitually beyond control behavior; interviews parents, relatives,

religious leaders, social workers and the child to evaluate the complaints and determine their

validity and I seriousness; provides counseling and casework service to the parents and

children to effect the social rehabilitation of the family; prepares progress reports and

discusses advisability of referral of family to other agencies, discusses placement of children

in foster homes or institutions and determination of probation; arranges for placement of

children in foster homes and counsels children and foster parents; maintains periodic

contact to assess conditions of homes and children's progress.

8. Reviews, recommends, files and executes petitions for the sealing of former Juvenile Court

records; interviews applicant and checks all pertinent records to determine if rehabilitation

has been attained; notifies all affected agencies of the Superior Court decree and order; files

step-parent adoption reports and records with the Superior Court; interviews the child's birth

parents, step-parents, attorneys and others; witnesses and executes all necessary

documents to complete the adoption procedures.

9. Participates in specialized assignments including but not limited to gang and drug

abatement, sex crimes, serious/habitual offenders, multiple agency task force, field

enforcement and community liaison.

10. Performs related duties as required.

IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

The methods, techniques and procedures in evaluating and supervising juvenile and adult

offenders;

Principles, techniques and trends in social and correctional casework;

The various social, economic and psychological factors affecting criminal and other anti-social

behavior of individuals;

Court procedures and the general law relating to the legal rights of offenders;

Services of public and private agencies available to offenders, dependent children, emotionally

disturbed individuals, alcoholics, and those in need of family and employment counseling.

Skill to:

Operate a computer.

Ability to:

Inspire confidence and employ techniques of acquiring essential information from offenders and

others;

Develop, establish and maintain effective working relationships with the courts, governmental

and community agencies, co-workers and other departmental personnel;

Review and evaluate official documents;

Prepare clear, accurate and concise reports for a legal environment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

These minimum qualifications are to be used as a guide for establishing the education, training, experience, special

skills and/or license(s) which are required for employment in the classification. Please note, additional qualifications

(i.e., special conditions) may apply to a particular position and will be stated on the exam/job announcement.

Education:

Possession of a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with major course

work in the Social and Behavioral Sciences or closely related field.

Special Requirements:

The Deputy Probation Officer class employees must complete 200 hours of core probation officer

training during the first year of appointment. Employees in this classification are peace officers as

defined by section 830.5 of the Penal Code and must satisfy the State of California criteria for peace

officer status. Appointees will be required to meet State-mandated CORE training requirements as

defined by Standards for Training in Corrections (STC). Employees must also conform to all other

requirements necessary to hold and maintain peace officer status pursuant to the California

Government Code.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATION

Requires possession of a valid California Class C driver's license.

ORIGINATION DATE: 12/8/11

BUSINESS UNIT: COMMN

Standard information

Disaster service work

All City and County of San Francisco employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100-3109). Employment with the City requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Historic and future compensation